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Handford House

27a Cumberland Street, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 3PA
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She is very happy here, the staff go above and beyond to meet her needs.June C(Daughter of Resident/Service User)
Handford House, Ipswich
The staff are very friendly and helpful and chatty with my husband.Rosemary H(Wife of Resident/Service User)
Handford House, Ipswich
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 residents with nursing, respite, dementia, or palliative care needs.

The passionate team take pride in providing warm, welcoming and friendly care, embodying 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....  

Care Provided by Handford House

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

Weekly Charges per Person

Type of carePermanentRespite
Residential CareFrom £1,500From £1,550
Residential Dementia CareFrom £1,500From £1,550
Nursing CareFrom £1,500From £1,550
Nursing Dementia CareFrom £1,500From £1,550

Contact Handford House 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

Person in charge

  • Agnieszka McDonald(Home Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Information

  • Ages 50+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: Yes

Room Information

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

Handford House Reviews (84)

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8.7

Handford House has a Review Score of 8.7 (8.665) out of 10, based on 20 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Handford House has 84 reviews.

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Showing 84 reviews matching selected criteria
Review from S E (Wife of Resident) published on 10 June 2019 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

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
Overall Experience

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
Overall Experience

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
Overall Experience

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
Overall Experience
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
Overall Experience

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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Review from Graham C (Resident / Service User) published on 23 May 2019 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

All staff at Handford House are friendly and it feels like a home away from home. There's always plenty of activities. The laughter around the home is wonderful to hear.

Reply from Mike Parris, Home Manager at Handford House

Thanks for leaving us such a lovely review, greatly appreciated.

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Review from O G (Wife of Resident) published on 21 May 2019 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

My husband has only been a resident for six weeks, but as a family, we are very impressed with the care he is receiving. The welcome we received when we first viewed the home made us think it was the best place for him. Everything has been done to help us all through a very great change in our lives.

Reply from Mike Parris, Home Manager at Handford House

Thanks very much for taking the time to leave us such a lovely review. I will pass your comments on to the team.

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Review from Pam A (Wife of Resident) published on 25 January 2019 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

I visit my husband every other day. I feel comfortable and made welcome when I am there. I feel happy that my husband is well looked after.

Reply from Mike Parris, Home Manager at Handford House

Thanks very much Pam for leaving us such a lovely review, it really does mean a lot to me and my team.

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Review from Joy L (Daughter of Resident) published on 16 January 2019 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience
My mother has only resided at Handford House for just over 3 months. She seems very happy and well looked after.

I chose December to comment on as the staff put on a very good Christmas party and buffet, Christmas meals, carols. I know my mother is quite impatient but the staff are always very pleasant and unphased by this. They are always available if I need an update on my mother. As she is content, then I can relax and endeavour to enjoy my retirement.

Reply from Mike Parris, Home Manager at Handford House

Thank you very much for leaving such a lovely review which I will share with my team. I'm very pleased you are happy with Mum's care and look forward to sharing with you the great events we have planned in 2019.

Kind regards

Mike

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Review from Nicola S (Daughter of Resident) published on 5 September 2018 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

Can't fault the management, the nurse's activities and the amazing care team within this care home they have made me and my father very much welcome and have made sure my father settled in well, giving him the patience needed while settling in, this home is a home, a welcoming warm and friendly one, always there to answer any worries or concerns. I would highly recommend this home.

Reply from Mike Parris, Home Manager at Handford House

Thanks for taking the time to leave such a lovely review, it really is appreciated.

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Review from P Y (Wife of Resident) published on 7 June 2018 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

From the very first day that we were welcomed into Handford House, we have been made to feel at home. We have been supported by a team of warm, kind and caring staff who do their best in what can be very challenging circumstances. The caring staff are so hard working and show great skill in what they do while at the same offering compassion, tolerance and understanding. Also, we have noticed how clean the home is and how our clothes are beautifully folded and always delivered with a smile. Both the food and 'activities' are varied and of a high quality. In fact, we are very happy here and wish to say a big THANK YOU.

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Review from G K (Resident / Service User) published on 25 January 2018 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

I have been at the care home for nearly three years and found it to be very good. The staff and everyone connected with the care home are very nice and look after all the residents and patients with care dignity so nothing is too much trouble.

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Review from Ruth G (Resident / Service User) published on 22 January 2018 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience
I've been very pleased with my stay at Hanford House as near as near as my home can be.

I hope I can stay here the rest of my life.

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Review from Keith R (Son of Resident) published on 3 November 2017 Submitted via Postal Card
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Our dad was recently moved to Handford House and has been extremely happy since he started living there.
We were particularly pleased that when our mum first visited him she was unsure where to catch a bus home when leaving. Staff were extremely kind to her and walked her to the nearest bus stop.

Mum is very happy that Dad is being well cared for.

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Review from Sam G (Resident / Service User) published on 24 August 2017 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

Now the home has a new manager it has improved greatly. The staff are happier in their work. A nice refreshing change and many good things are to come. Uniforms have been introduced which is good so now visitors and staff can be identified.

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Review from S J (Daughter of Resident) published on 31 May 2017 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience
First impression, pleasant property, good facilities well maintained, room clean and well presented, felt welcome and at ease, clean and pleasant smell, light and airy,
The staff are friendly and helpful, I was offered help to move my dad's belongings in.
TV was checked straight away, so was ready for dad to use.

The staff bend down to be level with the residents and treat them with care and respect and are very helpful.

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Review from Ivan S (Brother of Resident) published on 22 November 2016 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

My brother was cared for with dignity and respect. His needs were met by the staff in a most caring and considerate manner. We thank them for making his time with them so stress free for all the family and himself.

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Review from Thomas T (Husband of Resident) published on 26 August 2016 Submitted via Postal Card
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My wife was in Handford House for eight years. She was always treated well and kept clean and well fed.

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Review from Alan H (Husband of Resident) published on 12 August 2016 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

The Dove Unit is far too hot - low ceilings, inadequate extractors, poor designed windows (cheap) - most uncomfortable in heat, please action now. An extremely well run home with a first class manager. She motivates her carefully recruited caring staff and then always ensures quality standards, plus that resident's care is constantly maintained to provide them with their individual comforts and needs, personal hygiene and appearance, regular drinks plus the carers compassion to respond and make the residents feel they are special and loved as people. I speak of dementia, Dove Unit. I wish the Manager have a 16 hours clerical assistant. She is bogged down with paperwork, preventing her managing/monitoring on Dove Unit. Please action this now.

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Regulatory Rating

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating

Date: 19 March 2025
Overall
Good
  • CaringGood
  • EffectiveGood
  • ResponsiveGood
  • SafeGood
  • Well-ledRequires improvement
Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England.View Latest Report

Bed Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

News (8) & Events (0)

News
  • 04 Dec 2025

    Residents at Handford House, a care home in Ipswich, received a handwritten letter from Sir David Attenborough. The 99-year-old broadcaster replied after residents wrote to him, sharing how much they...

  • 04 Dec 2025

    Residents at Handford House, a care home in Ipswich, received a handwritten letter from Sir David Attenborough. The 99-year-old broadcaster replied after residents wrote to him, sharing how much they...

  • 13 Nov 2024

    Handford House is thrilled to announce the appointment of Renata Sulugiuc as the new Home Manager. With over 14 years of experience as a registered nurse and a strong background...

Upcoming Events

There are no upcoming events for Handford House.

Awards / Recognitions (11)

Accreditations

There are no accreditations posted yet for Handford House.

Meet the Team (4)

Agnieszka McDonald
Agnieszka McDonaldJob Title:Home Manager

I’m passionate about building meaningful relationships with residents and their families, and creating a warm, safe, and supportive environment where everyone feels valued. I take pride in making a positive difference each day by bringing comfort, dignity, and moments of joy to residents’ lives, while supporting their overall well-being. I hold an NVQ Level 3 qualification and am committed to delivering high-quality care at Handford House.

Nicholas Pearkes
Nicholas PearkesJob Title:Activities CoordinatorJoined: 2025

I enjoy the sense of achievement that comes from interacting with residents and getting to know each of them personally. I like to involve residents in decision-making and conversations, and I’ve already introduced activities such as hand and nail care, quizzes, and games of dominoes. I also take time to speak with families to better understand each resident’s needs and interests. I hold a Diploma in Dementia Awareness and a GNVQ Level 2 in Customer Service, which supports me in providing thoughtful and engaging care.

Jennifer Adams
Jennifer AdamsJob Title:AdministratorJoined: 2025

I enjoy the daily interaction with staff, residents, and their families in such a warm and inviting atmosphere. I always greet everyone with a friendly smile, helping to create a welcoming environment where residents and visitors feel at ease.

Catherine
Catherine Job Title:Clinical Deputy ManagerJoined: 2026

Creating a warm and welcoming environment is what I love most about Handford House. I enjoy building strong relationships with residents and their families, helping to ensure everyone feels valued, supported, and cared for.

As a Registered Nurse with 11 years of experience, I am passionate about delivering high-quality, person-centred care. I have a particular interest in supporting people living with dementia and helping to enhance residents' wellbeing, dignity, and quality of life.

My background includes roles within the NHS and as a Clinical Lead in Neurological Rehabilitation and Complex Care Management, providing me with extensive experience in supporting people with a wide range of care needs.

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