
Ventress Hall was clean,tidy and well maintained. I would highly recommend this care homeJulie C(Daughter of Resident/Service User)



Ventress Hall was clean,tidy and well maintained. I would highly recommend this care homeJulie C(Daughter of Resident/Service User)



The team at Ventress Hall offers nursing, residential and dementia care, as well as respite care, designed to ensure that life is engaging and fulfilling for residents.
Each bedrooms at Ventress Hall is unique; from high ceilings to direct access to the home's courtyards, each offers a point of interest for residents to enjoy. Bedrooms also feature a 24-hour nurse call system, and most have en-suite facilities. For couples wishing to...
Care Provided by Ventress Hall
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Learning Disability / Autism
- Mental Health Condition
- Physical Disability
- Younger Adults
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Nursing Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- For a maximum of 106 Service Users
Dementia Care TypesMild Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "mild dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Memory problems such as misplacing items and not be able to recall recent events (however, in some forms of dementia a person's memory may be unchanged)
- Difficulties thinking through problems and planning, making decisions
- Language and communication issues such as finding it difficult to recall the appropriate word in a conversation or following a conversation
- Poor orientation, getting lost in areas previously familiar to them
- Difficulty judging distances (more falls than usual)
- Changes in their normal mood including anxiety and depression
- In certain types of dementia, personality and behaviour changes may be present alongside or instead of issues with memory or concentration.
Moderate Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "moderate dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Worsened memory problems. Not always recognising own family members and friends. Repeating the same questions over and over again
- Worsened language and communication issues, forgetting what they are saying mid-sentence. Not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- More frequent confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Advanced Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "severe dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Severe memory problems. Not recognising family members and friends. Not being able to recall their own name
- Severe language and communication issues, not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- Severe confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Verbally or physically aggressive behaviour
If your loved one displays this type of behaviour you may need a care home that has specially trained staff. Verbal/physical aggression is often defined:
- Consistent shouting and screaming
- Verbal abuse
- Physical abuse
How we define Dementia Care Types
Mild Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "mild dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Memory problems such as misplacing items and not be able to recall recent events (however, in some forms of dementia a person's memory may be unchanged)
- Difficulties thinking through problems and planning, making decisions
- Language and communication issues such as finding it difficult to recall the appropriate word in a conversation or following a conversation
- Poor orientation, getting lost in areas previously familiar to them
- Difficulty judging distances (more falls than usual)
- Changes in their normal mood including anxiety and depression
- In certain types of dementia, personality and behaviour changes may be present alongside or instead of issues with memory or concentration.
Moderate Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "moderate dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Worsened memory problems. Not always recognising own family members and friends. Repeating the same questions over and over again
- Worsened language and communication issues, forgetting what they are saying mid-sentence. Not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- More frequent confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Advanced Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "severe dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Severe memory problems. Not recognising family members and friends. Not being able to recall their own name
- Severe language and communication issues, not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- Severe confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Verbally or physically aggressive behaviour
If your loved one displays this type of behaviour you may need a care home that has specially trained staff. Verbal/physical aggression is often defined:
- Consistent shouting and screaming
- Verbal abuse
- Physical abuse
How we define Dementia Care Types
- Mild Dementia
- Moderate Dementia
- Advanced/Complex Dementia
Other Care Provided
- Parkinson's Disease
- Stroke
Facilities
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
of care and support required by each individual. Premium rooms normally require an additional charge.
Nursing fees include the Funded Nursing Contribution (FNC) if you are eligible.
• All care and support including a monthly review of care plans
• All meals, snacks and drinks freshly prepared every day by our chef
• Activities and lifestyle programme
• All utilities and other accommodation costs
• Housekeeping and laundry services
• WiFi internet access
appointments not covered by the NHS, toiletries, newspapers or magazines, any over the counter
medications that a GP wouldn’t normally prescribe such as paracetamol and indigestion relief, and any
other privately arranged healthcare. Should you require an escort to hospital appointments, we may apply
an agreed hourly charge for this service.
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Ventress Hall for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Ventress Hall to confirm what's included and get a personalised quote:
Funding Types Accepted
- Self-Funding (Private)
- Local Authority with Top-up
- Local Authority
- NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)
Support you may be entitled to
- If you chose a care home based in England, you may be eligible for NHS Funded Nursing Care (FNC), which helps cover the cost of nursing. This is worth £267.68 per week and is usually paid directly to the care home.
Good to Know
Group / Owner
- Care UK
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Diane Encinias (Home Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 55+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
- Last Refurbishment: 2010
Room Information
- Single Rooms (106)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (84)
Ventress Hall Reviews (91)
Ventress Hall has a Review Score of 9.0 (8.969) out of 10, based on 18 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Ventress Hall has 91 reviews.
The staff are very caring and very helpful. Also, the catering staff have provided excellent food and have gone out of their way to provide me with a special diet (smoothies are the best I have had or made myself). I thank them and the staff. Also, the lady who did my nails. Very personal and polite.
I only have praise for the wonderful staff of the nursing floor in Ventress Hall. They looked after my brother, who was very poorly, with genuine care and compassion until he sadly passed away. He was so content whilst living there and we were so relieved to have found somewhere we knew he would be looked after on a professional level to the highest standard and cared for with love. The home is well run and immaculate. All the staff I came into contact with were so respectful and kind. The meals are homemade and always looked nicely presented. I look back with fondness and huge appreciation and I know my brother would say the same. Heartfelt thank you.
I was diffident about the care and experience I would get in going in to a care home/rehab after a hospital stay. I am very pleased with the level of care, physio, understanding of my needs, encouragement in achieving the goals to get me back to full fitness. The staff are very friendly and willing to do anything for you.
Excellent care given to my sister at the end of her life. Nursing staff are a credit to your service, along with the rest of the team the care and compassion shown to my sister and I was much appreciated by myself and my family. Thank you all so very much.
Excellent, all round services.
Dad went into Ventress Hall as a permanent resident in early February. The staff at Ventress were amazing, making Dad feel at home, they were friendly and happy and treated him with great respect. He really appreciated the help and care he received. Unfortunately his health took a turn for the worst and he was transferred to the nursing care floor where he received fantastic nursing care until he passed away. Thanks to all the staff at Ventress for the help and support to both Dad and the family during this time.
My father-in-law entered Ventress Hall, Darlington for end of life care, end of October - 5th November 2019. I cannot find fault with the nursing care nor the staff. They were excellent, both caring towards my father in law and his family and friends when they came to visit. Hot drinks and meals were constantly offered and over the time we were all there we were made to feel exceptionally welcome. The level of response to either him asking for attention or 'our' concerns were always answered in a timely manner with all queries answered. This did not change throughout the day or night shift. Cannot recommend enough.
My Dad was only at Ventress for a little over a week before he died. We were overwhelmed by how caring and thoughtful the staff were. My Dad was receiving end of life care and was treated with respect and dignity. The staff also made sure that we as a family were looked after. I lost count of the number of times we were asked if we wanted a drink or something to eat and we were constantly reminded that we could use the facilities. This is my first experience of the care home environment and I am humbled by how hard the staff worked and how they managed to stay so positive and cheerful doing what is a very challenging job.
Staff are very friendly and polite.
Staff and management were very professional in their work and light-hearted fun at the same time. But slightly lacking in service, i.e. sometimes no juice for breakfast and on the dining table salt and pepper pots empty.
Thanks very much for taking the time to review Ventress Hall when you stayed with us. We are delighted to read your comments about the care team and management and that you are likely to recommend the home. We provide a selection of fresh juices at every breakfast time. We apologise that the salt...
Father admitted to a 'step down' nursing/rehab bed following a hospital stay of one week. A good sized corner bedroom. New high-quality hospital-style bed. Young care staff friendly, cheerful and helpful, one nursing staff member was particularly helpful and excellent communication back to me. The manager telephoned me at home to run through my care plan.
I stayed at Ventress Hall for a weeks recuperation after a short stay in hospital, it was more like a 5* Hotel, if needs be, I would certainly stay there again.
My stay was excellent. Everywhere was so clean and pleasant. I was able to go to see my lovely wife in hospital every day.
Our initial viewing was very positive with useful brochures and info given. Was pleased they responded to my request for a quick preassessment and subsequent quick decision that they could meet mums needs. Dealt with mums delay in entering the home due to hospital stay very sympathetically. Once admitted, staff dealt with mums needs in a very caring manner. They have rung me quickly with any concerns over mums condition. It would be helpful to know which member of staff to approach re specific requests eg., checking mums hearing aid is in, as opposed to talking to individual carers. I was unhappy when the transport arrangement for Mam's hospital appointment failed - minibus not booked as promised and 2nd option of wheelchair taxi not turning up on time. This was stressful and staff apologised.
Thank you also for your feedback regarding the transport arrangements for your mother’s...
Pleasant, comfortable, safe, friendly, caring and professional.
Staff are wonderful, kind, helpful. Food is very good, all homemade.
Bedrooms are clean and spacious with large, bright windows.
More food please.
Thank you for your positive comments about how well you have settled in and how happy you are to be at Ventress Hall, we are very grateful for your feedback. We do ensure that all residents are provided with ample fluids every day but would also be happy to change your water more often. We would...
Top notch care home in Darlington I would recommend this home to anyone.
The majority of staff are very friendly and helpful and the place is kept very clean. There's plenty of things to do if residents wants to take part. You are always made to feel welcome when you visit.
Mam's stay in Ventress was pleasant and she was made to feel welcome.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 04 February 2023Good
- CaringGood
- EffectiveGood
- ResponsiveGood
- SafeGood
- Well-ledGood
Inspection ratings
We rate most services according to how safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led they are, using four levels:
- Outstanding - The service is performing exceptionally well.
- Good - The service is performing well and meeting our expectations.
- Requires Improvement - The service isn't performing as well as it should and we have told the service how it must improve.
- Inadequate - The service is performing badly and we've taken action against the person or organisation that runs it.
- Not rated - we have not yet rated this area of the service, this is normally because the assessments we have carried out have been focused on other key questions.
Bed Vacancies
Please contact us for latest vacancies.
News (42) & Events (0)
- 29 May 2026
Care UK’s commitment to supporting residents has been nationally recognised, as the organisation took home the large care provider of the year accolade at the 2026 Care Home Awards. At...
- 29 May 2026
Residents in Care UK homes love getting out and about in nature where they can and, for one Dorset-based home, they’re celebrating World Bee Day with a buzz! Wimborne-based home,...
- 29 May 2026
Colleagues across Care UK are celebrating after being shortlisted in eleven categories at the Stars of Social Care Awards, the most the company has ever been shortlisted in at the...
There are no upcoming events for Ventress Hall.
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Ventress Hall.
Meet the Team (1)

I joined Ventress Hall back in the 1990s, progressing from a carer to a senior and then to become the deputy manager. I became Home Manager in November 2019.
All of my experience enables me to challenge our practices, improve what we do and strengthen our relationships with the local CCG and healthcare team – all for the benefit of our residents.
I love seeing the residents happy, and I enjoy seeing the positive impact of the work we do. We often have residents join us for short term respite care as they convalesce after an illness or operation. It’s wonderful to see them recover and return home.
I’ve worked with many of the team here for many years. I have a profound respect for them and recognise each of their contributions. It’s safe to say that this home has a special place in my heart and I’m looking forward to developing Ventress Hall even further so we can deliver even greater outcomes for residents and their families.
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