Handford House

27a Cumberland Street, Ipswich IP1 3PA
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9.1 78 Reviews
  • Handford House, Ipswich
Located in the oldest Anglo-Saxon town in England, Ipswich in Suffolk, Handford House takes a holistic approach to providing outstanding care to local residents that have nursing, respite, dementia or palliative care needs. The passionate team take pride in providing a warm, welcoming and friendly care offering and embody the ethos of dignity and respect for residents at all times.

The home is specifically designed to provide a comfortable, accessible and safe respite for residents. Whether it may be the many communal areas (either tailored for groups, or quieter areas), the two patio areas or the well-kept colourful gardens, Handford House has space suitable for every one’s needs. The home boasts dedicated lounges for activities, an in-house hair salon and a sensory room.

Dedicated and tailored activities include, but are not limited to, mind body and soul sessions, book club, movement to music and shopping trips. The activities coordinator also works to ensure that activities are personalised and to each individual’s needs and wishes.

Accommodation is arranged over two floors offering 52 bedrooms that are able to be personalised to each resident’s wishes. Rooms come fully furnished, ready for residents to personalise and make them their own. Equally, the home encourages residents to bring their own furniture to make their room feel like a home-from home, should they wish to. The garden offers a garden pod, well-kept flower beds and patios and quiet spots for residents to enjoy their own company or enjoy an afternoon tea.

Handford House has a passionate and enthusiastic team and has a reputable long-standing relationship with the wider community.
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Care Provided

Primary Care Categories

  • Older Person Care
  • Dementia
  • Physical Disability
  • Younger Adults

Length of Stay

  • Permanent Care
  • Respite Care

Care Types Provided

  • Residential Care
  • Nursing Care
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • Dementia Nursing Care
  • For a maximum of 52 Service Users

Dementia Care Types

  • Mild Dementia
  • Moderate Dementia
  • Advanced/Complex Dementia

Other Care Provided

  • Palliative / End of Life Care
  • Day Care

Facilities

  • Own Furniture if required
  • Close to Local shops
  • Near Public Transport
  • Minibus or other transport
  • Lift
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Gardens
  • Television point in own room
  • Residents Internet Access

Funding & Fees

Funding Types Accepted

  • Self Funding (Private)
  • Local Authority with Top Up
  • Local Authority
  • NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)

Good to Know

Person in charge

  • Renata Sulugiuc (Home Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Criteria

  • Ages 50+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: Yes

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (52)
  • Single Rooms with Ensuite Wet Room (32)

Handford House Reviews (78)

9.1

Handford House has a Review Score of 9.1 (9.085) out of 10, based on 27 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Handford House has 78 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Date Published
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Reviewer Connection to Handford House
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Total of 78, showing 41-60
Review from Ian G (Son of Resident) published on 26 July 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
A very good establishment throughout and supportive staff I have seen to my knowledge.
Reply from Naomi Bender, Home Manager at Handford House

Thank you for your kind review, I will pass this on to my team.

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Review from F A (Resident) published on 20 July 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am happy and content here, nice rooms, clean and light friendly staff and residents. Would be nice to have some activities.
Reply from Naomi Bender, Home Manager at Handford House

I am so pleased to hear that you are happy here, I will pass your feedback onto the teams.

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Review from Brian R (Friend of Resident) published on 20 July 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
A happy and friendly home, nothing is too much trouble. Also spotlessly clean.
Reply from Naomi Bender, Home Manager at Handford House

Thank you for your feedback, I will pass this on to my team.

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Review from A A (Resident) published on 30 June 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Having been here for six weeks, I am settled and happy with good treatment and support from friendly staff.
Reply from Naomi Bender, Home Manager at Handford House

Thank you for you feedback, We're really pleased that you're happy and settled here.

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Review from Debbie P (Daughter of Resident) published on 8 June 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Handford House overall is a well-run home. The reception staff are very helpful. They go above and beyond.
Mum seems to have settled well, always clean and book filled in daily. The staff are friendly and willing. Thanks for doing a great job.
Reply from Naomi Bender, Home Manager at Handford House

Thank you for your feedback, I will pass this on to the teams.

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Review from David B (Brother of Resident) published on 7 June 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
End of life care very good from carers and nursing staff. Made to feel very welcome by all.
Reply from Naomi Bender, Home Manager at Handford House

It was an honour looking after your Brother, Thank you for your feedback.

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Review from Wendy B (Daughter of Resident) published on 6 June 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mum has been in Handford for almost two years and moved in the pandemic. Although we had no choice in where to place Mum, we couldn't have chosen a better home. The staff are personable, polite and respectful, going out of their way to learn about her, our family and Mum's likes and interests. They
are happy to put up things on her wall to personalise Mum's room, activities are organised, the place is clean, and the food is excellent. Well done, Handford House.
Reply from Naomi Bender, Home Manager at Handford House

Thank you for your lovely words; I will pass this on to my team.

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Review from June C (Daughter of Resident) published on 3 August 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mum has been with Handford House since 2010. We, as a family, cannot fault the care she receives. She is very happy here, the staff go above and beyond to meet her needs. I would definitely recommend Handford House. Even during the current pandemic with restrictions in place, they have made sure Mum
is happy.
Reply from Magda Kurdziel, Home Manager at Handford House

Dear June,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write us such a kind review.

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Review from O S (Son of Resident) published on 29 June 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
The home has shown organisation and compassion in these unique times ensuring the safety and best interests of Mum. The new visiting procedure has been challenging but best efforts have been made in ensuring contact for Mum - especially window visits with notice.
Reply from Martha Piper, Digital Marketing Lead at Handford House

Thank you so much for taking the time to write us such a kind review! We always want to make sure you are all able to see your loved ones and keep up to date with what they are doing.

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Review from Janet K (Wife of Resident) published on 25 June 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I have always found the staff very helpful and obliging. Although my husband has not been well enough to participate in the activities, having seen the programmes I am sure they are very good.
Reply from Magda Kurdziel, Home Manager at Handford House

Thank you for your review, we appreciate your feedback and we will pass it to our team.
Magda

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Review from Alexander B (Son of Resident) published on 25 June 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are very pleased with the care my father is getting. The staff have been so helpful in this very difficult time for our family. My father seems so happy with everything, the facility is very clean and tidy and we always get a warm welcome when we visit. Could not ask for anything more from Handford
House. 10 out of 10. Fantastic.
Reply from Magda Kurdziel, Home Manager at Handford House

Thank you for your review. We appreciate your feedback and we will share it with our team at Handford House.

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Review from Angela (Daughter of Resident) published on 21 December 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our family would like to pass on our thanks to everyone at Handford House for their dedicated care for our Mum. Whilst she was only with you for a short while, our overall experience was extremely positive. All the staff are so kind and caring and cannot do enough to help, despite working during these
challenging times. Special thanks go to all of the staff who cared for her. We will be forever grateful that our Mum was able to spend her last few days in the care of Handford House. We would not hesitate to recommend others to consider Handford House for their relatives too. Congratulations to the management and the wonderful team of workers you have. Please pass on our thanks to everyone.
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Review from Janet B (Niece of Resident) published on 19 February 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A very caring environment with lovely professional staff. They helped my uncle settle in by taking him on a trip to the seaside, which reminded him of many happy childhood memories. Both his sister and brother have also been well cared for at Handford House care home.
Reply from Mike Parris, Home Manager at Handford House

Thank you for taking the time to leave us this lovely review which I will share with the team here at Handford House.

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Review from Graham P (Nephew of Resident) published on 18 February 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We had no previous experience of related matters, but were given 100% support and clear, concise guidance from the initial enquiry to pre-arrival meeting and most importantly, settling my uncle in. Everything was professional but friendly. Making the decision that my uncle needed 'care' was the hardest,
finding and visiting Handford House was the easy part.
Reply from Mike Parris, Home Manager at Handford House

Thanks very much for taking the time to leave us a review. I will share your kind feedback with my team.

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Review from S E (Wife of Resident) published on 10 June 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I am very pleased with the way all the staff have looked after my husband since he has been in here. The food is good. He has a nice room and he looks good.
Reply from Mike Parris, Home Manager at Handford House

Thanks for leaving such a lovely review, I will pass this on to my team.

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Review from Eileen A (Friend of Resident) published on 10 June 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Staff are always friendly and willing to help. Nothing is too much trouble. Care and support very good. Room always clean and resident, as unable to dress himself, is always tidy and well presented.
Reply from Mike Parris, Home Manager at Handford House

Thanks for leaving such a lovely review, I will pass this on to my team.

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Review from David E (Son of Resident) published on 4 June 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Very pleased that my Dad is being well looked after here. The surroundings seem very warm, cosy and comfortable for him and the staff very caring and helpful.
Reply from Mike Parris, Home Manager at Handford House

Thank you very much for taking the time to leave us such a lovely review, I will share this with the team.

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Review from Charlie P (Son of Resident) published on 29 May 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My experience since my Mum has been here has been very positive. I find the staff very friendly and the home is always clean and tidy. I know while my Mum is here there is nothing to worry about.
Reply from Mike Parris, Acting Home Manager at Handford House

Thanks very much for your review, very much appreciated!

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Review from P T (Wife of Resident) published on 29 May 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Overall very pleased with the care and help given. The meals seem very good and plentiful. The entertainment especially the sing-a-longs and old music is very good.
It would help if daily comments written in the green folders could include how the resident has been, whether they are eating, been unwell
etc. As they cannot always express this themselves. We appreciate the staff do what they can under very trying circumstances.
Reply from Mike Parris, Home Manager at Handford House

Thanks for your lovely review and suggestion which I will discuss with the team.

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Review from Rosemary H (Wife of Resident) published on 29 May 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My husband is new to the care home but he has settled in very well. The staff are very friendly and helpful and chatty with my husband. He is 86 years old. As my husband has Alzheimer's disease he can be aggressive at times but the staff understand this and take extra time to work with him. Very pleased.
Reply from Mike Parris, Home Manager at Handford House

Thanks very much for your lovely feedback!

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Current Review Score: 9.1 (9.085)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.1 (9.085) out of 10 for Handford House is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.1 out of 5 from 27 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 23 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Care Home is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.085 for Handford House is calculated as follows: ( (175 Excellents x 5) + (90 Goods x 4) + (7 Satisfactorys x 3) + (47 Very Poors x 1) ) ÷ 319 Ratings = 4.085
  2. 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5'). The 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Handford House is based on 23 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4
    2. 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the registered maximum number of service users in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Care Home registered for a maximum of 50 service users has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 52 registered maximum number of service users is 10.4, which has been reached with 23 Positive reviews. Points = 1
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Care Home does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Regulatory Rating

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating

Date: 19 Mar 2025

Overall Good

  • Caring Good
  • Effective Good
  • Responsive Good
  • Safe Good
  • Well-led Requires improvement
Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England. View Latest Report

Bed Vacancies

5 Bed Vacancies

Posted: 13 Sep 2025

We provide permanent and respite accommodation for individuals with nursing, respite, palliative, and nursing dementia care needs. Our services include complete en-suite and basin with WC rooms. Additionally, we offer privately funded, local authority, and NHS-funded placements.

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Awards / Recognitions (9)

Meet the Team (2)

Renata

Renata Sulugiuc

Job Title: Home Manager

I have been a registered nurse for over 10 years and managed nursing homes before, I always like to maintain the ‘family feel’. We have lots planned for the residents in the coming months, which is really exciting as there will be some new activities, along with loved favourites. My door is always open so please feel free to pop in and say hello.

Andy

Andy Crack

Job Title: Maintenance

Andy decided to work at Healthcare Homes as he wished to do something different. Prior to joining Healthcare Homes he was a maintenance handyman.
He believes, to be good in his role you need to enjoy your job. The
favourite part of his day is in the morning when everyone is up and smiling. The qualities he thinks make him stand out are he is hard working, and is always there to help
Outside of work he is a season ticket holder at Ipswich Football Club and he loves going to the cinema.
He looks forward to going in to Handford House and seeing the residents smiling. They have a good team at Handford House.

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