Willowcroft

Nottingham Road, Spondon, Derby DE21 7NN
Review Us
9.8 58 Reviews
  • Willowcroft, Derby
Located just outside Derby city centre, Willowcroft provides residential, residential dementia and short-stay care for up to 60 residents in a purpose-built home with deep community roots. Built on the site of the old Anglers Arms pub in Spondon, the home blends local heritage with modern comfort and thoughtful design.

All bedrooms are en-suite and include personal touches like mini-fridges and motion-sensor lighting, while ground-floor rooms open onto private patios. Communal areas include a reminiscence room styled like a vintage coffee shop, cosy lounges, and landscaped sensory gardens with raised planters, seating areas and a shaded pagoda.

Meals are freshly prepared by the in-house chef, with menus shaped by resident tastes—from Sunday roasts and traditional trifles to homemade cakes and themed cuisine nights. Baking sessions and food-based events are a regular feature of life at Willowcroft.

Activities include arts and crafts, chaplain-led services, the resident-created rummy club, and visits from musicians and therapy animals. Regular outings to local pubs and Derby County Football Club add variety and fun, while the long-standing team ensures consistent, person-centred care.

At Willowcroft, care isn’t just about support, it’s about creating a community where residents thrive. Whether you’re searching for yourself or a loved one, for residential, residential dementia or short-stay care, the team at Willowcroft are here to help.

Show Willowcroft on the Map

Care Provided

Primary Care Categories

  • Older Person Care
  • Dementia

Length of Stay

  • Permanent Care

Care Types Provided

  • Residential Care
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 60 Service Users

Dementia Care Types

  • Mild Dementia
  • Moderate Dementia
  • Advanced/Complex Dementia

Other Care Provided

  • Day Care

Facilities

  • Close to Local shops
  • Near Public Transport
  • Lift
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Gardens
  • Residents Kitchenette
  • Phone Point in own room
  • Television point in own room

Funding & Fees

Weekly Charges per Person

  • Self-Funded Residential Care: £1120 – £1278
  • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: £1228 – £1397

These prices are only a guideline, please contact Willowcroft to find out the exact price for your requirements.

Funding Types Accepted

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

Good to Know

Group/Owner

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Criteria

  • Ages 60+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: Yes

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (60)
  • Single Rooms with Ensuite Wet Room (60)

Willowcroft Reviews (58)

Total of 58, showing 21-40
9.8

Willowcroft has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.818) out of 10, based on 11 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Willowcroft has 58 reviews.

Overall Experience

  • 52
  • 5
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0

Date Published

58
4
8
11
47

Review from H K (Daughter of Resident) published on 24 April 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Mum and Dad are very well looked after at Willowcroft. The rooms are comfortable and always clean, the food is good and the staff caring and professional. There are a range of activities and the wider family enjoy watching out for the latest pictures on the social media page. I'm extremely pleased with
the love and care shown to my parents since they moved in and it's a huge relief to know they are safe and well cared for.

Reply from Kate Prince, Home Manager at Willowcroft

Thank you very much for your kind review. It’s lovely that your Mum and Dad are still able to be together and I’m happy the social media page helps the family keep up to date.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Lorraine F (Niece of Resident) published on 24 April 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My Aunt has been a resident at Willowcroft now for 6 months, it was quite a wrench having to leave her home and independence, but the friendly staff have made the transition much easier. She has a lovely bright room with all the personal possessions she wants and is able to participate in social stimulating
activities daily if she so wishes. The care staff are friendly, caring and efficient and appreciate each resident as an individual learning their preferences and respecting them. As a retired community nurse I have visited many residential care homes in the past, and can certainly say this is one of the best.

Reply from Kate Prince, Home Manager at Willowcroft

Thank you so much for your lovely review. We are so pleased your Aunt has settled in well and for you to say that our home is one of the best you have been in is certainly the highest compliment you could give us.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Marie N (Granddaughter of Resident) published on 24 April 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Wow where do I start, this place is just incredible! It was such a hard decision to make moving my grandparents into a care home, something which I always said I would never do. Well, it's turned out to be the best decision I've ever made. My grandparents are so happy and have gained weight, made lovely
friends with residents and staff. The meals are brilliant and a varied choice too. The rooms are very spacious for all their personal belongings. The staff are amazing, very caring and very on the ball with the needs of my grandparents. They go above and beyond to help the residents and their families. I felt guilt for such a long time about moving them into a care home, but thanks to Willowcroft I no longer feel that guilt. I feel like they are extended family. I am always welcomed with a cheery smile from staff members as soon as I walk through the door. I am made to feel very welcome and involved too. Thank you to everyone at Willowcroft for everything, it means the world.

Reply from Kate Prince, Home Manager at Willowcroft

That is such a lovely review, thank you so much. We know what a difficult decision it is for family to move into a care home and do try to help ease that a little. Your grandparents are very special people and a joy to have living with us.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Melanie P (Daughter of Resident) published on 24 April 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mum has been a resident at Willowcroft for over a year now. Every time I visit, she comments on how lovely and caring the staff are. She regularly reflects on how happy, content and safe she feels. Mum has made friends and enjoys by choice a good balance of social and private time. She particularly
enjoys her weekly visit to the on-site hairdresser, the 'in-house' church services and the quality and variety of the meals. The building is bright, clean and stylish, the staff are incredibly kind and welcoming and there is always a lovely atmosphere.

Reply from Kate Prince, Home Manager at Willowcroft

Thank you for your review. It’s so nice to read how happy your Mum is at Willowcroft. We do our very best to ensure there is a happy atmosphere – both for the residents and also their families.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Antony H (Son of Resident) published on 24 April 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My dad went into this care home during the pandemic and we were lucky to get a place. He's well looked after, the staff are lovely and he loves the food (he's normally a fussy eater).
They always go the extra mile to keep people entertained and always help out with things, so it's one less thing for
us to worry about.

Reply from Kate Prince, Home Manager at Willowcroft

Thank you so much for your kind words. Your Dad is a lovely gentleman and we are so happy to have him living with us.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Christopher G (Son of Resident) published on 22 February 2023
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

From our first visit to look at the facilities and room, there was an air of professionalism and friendly staff. Rooms are clean, good size and very well equipped, with low windows to allow residents to see out of when seated (something that wasn't the case at another home visited), nice furniture,
refrigerator and great wetroom, toilet and shower. The food is always commented on as being tasty, hot and good portion size and choice. The team on Dad's wing are always pleasant, professional and provide positive encouragement. The standard is exceptional and it comes from the management team. Excellent.

Reply from Kate Prince, Home Manager at Willowcroft

Thank you for the lovely review. It’s very kind of you. We are aware that it’s often very difficult making the decision to move to a care home so we’re really pleased that you’ve had a positive experience.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from E B (Resident) published on 14 December 2022
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have been a resident at Willowcroft for 4 and a half months.
Willowcroft is welcoming and well managed and staffed. Admin is efficient. Carers are very good at their jobs. Carers also wash me daily or I shower in my ensuite facility, and they attend to my room to help. Cook provides excellent quality
menus with choices for each mealtime. Medical staff serve prescriptions with water timely as per GP direction.

Reply from Kate Prince, Home Manager at Willowcroft

Thank you for your lovely review and kind words. It is good to hear that you feel well cared for in our home and it is a great pleasure to look after you.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Stephen G (Son of Resident) published on 16 March 2022
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

From the day I took my mum to visit and see where my father was going to be cared for to the day he passed to a better world, my father was treated and cared for with the utmost respect, care, dignity and yes, love. The cleanliness and family atmosphere is amazing and attention to detail is first class.
The most important factor for me was Dad's dignity and that was there from the outset. Make caring a recognised skilled career!

Reply from Kate Prince, Home Manager at Willowcroft

Thank you so much for the lovely review. It was a real pleasure to provide care for your father.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Helen P (Daughter of Resident) published on 16 March 2022
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My dad was treated with dignity and respect from the moment he arrived til the day he died. As a family, we were also cared for in a compassionate way and despite our grief, we were left feeling no regret at the decision to move Dad into Willowcroft. Thank you to all of the team - you all played your
part.

Reply from Kate Prince, Home Manager at Willowcroft

Thank you so very much for your kind words. It was a pleasure to know your lovely father and thank you for choosing our home to provide the care for him.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from J H (Daughter of Resident) published on 18 March 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Mum has now been at Willowcroft for just over 3 years and we couldn't wish for a better place for her to spend her final years. We have been very happy with the care that she has received - all the staff are very friendly and treat her with kindness and respect. The surroundings are clean and well cared
for and there are frequent activities for the residents to join in with if they want to.

Reply from Kate Prince, Home Manager at Willowcroft

Thank you for your lovely review. It is so very much appreciated.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Malcolm D (Husband of Resident) published on 16 March 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My wife had two spells of short respite care before moving into residential care in May 2020. I have been extremely impressed by the very high standard of all-round care being given by the dedicated, compassionate and professional team of carers, backed by very efficient support and administrative staff.
The modern, purpose-built home is comfortably furnished and although there are 60 residents, they are divided into four separate, self-contained mini-homes for 15 people, having their own little dining room (with table cloths!) and two lounges (one with TV, one "quiet"). My wife particularly appreciates the unobtrusive Christian ethos of the home. I am a retired clergyman, and in my 55-years of occasional pastoral visits to care homes, I never came across anywhere as good as Willowcroft.

Reply from Kate Prince, Home Manager at Willowcroft

Many thanks for your kind review, and lovely comments. It is very much appreciated.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Colin B (Son of Resident) published on 16 March 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

The rooms are very nice and clean. The building is quite new and so, in a good standard of upkeep. The staff are always very pleasant and helpful. The only concern is that sometimes, you have to remind people about certain things regarding your loved one's care but sometimes, anywhere, things can get
overlooked.

Reply from Kate Prince, Home Manager at Willowcroft

Thank you so much for the review. We always take feedback on board. Unfortunately I don’t believe we have ever met, or spoken, though I do of course spend time with your Mum regularly. Please do feel able to contact me with any issues you may have.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Mark P (Nephew of Resident) published on 16 March 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The last year has been difficult for everyone. My uncle has remained very happy and settled throughout. Outside visits and then visitor pod visits have been an excellent way to keep in touch. Dropping items at reception always results in an update and friendly chat. I recently took a photograph of my
uncle and compared it with one when he first arrived and he looks five years younger. I cannot thank all the staff enough for their continued hard work, devotion and love. I visited the other day and my uncle said of the pandemic "my life has not changed. I'm warm, well-fed and very well looked after." Thank you.

Reply from Kate Prince, Home Manager at Willowcroft

Thank you for your very kind review and especially the comment your uncle made – that was very heart-warming to hear.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Sarah D (Daughter of Resident) published on 16 March 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

This is a very well run care home with caring, friendly staff. The manager communicates important information to families via a weekly newsletter and there are regular Facebook posts showing the activities everyone has been enjoying. Staff turnover is low and during this difficult pandemic, they have
tried to accommodate visiting as much as possible, whilst keeping everyone safe. No residents have had Covid. If your loved one needs to be cared for, this would be an excellent choice.

Reply from Kate Prince, Home Manager at Willowcroft

Thank you so much for your lovely review. We are so pleased you are happy with our care and that you would recommend us to others.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Nigel P (Son of Resident) published on 16 March 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Although I have not been inside the home for some time, due to COVID, I can say without reservation, that every person who works at Willowcroft is dedicated, caring and goes the extra mile. My Mum is very pleased with her care, after having to make the difficult decision to leave her own residence,
due to health problems some time ago. I can wholeheartedly recommend Willowcroft for anyone looking to move into residential care.

Reply from Kate Prince, Home Manager at Willowcroft

Thank you for the lovely review. It is so good to know that both you and your Mum are happy with the care we are providing and would be happy to recommend us.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Roland G (Son of Resident) published on 16 March 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our mother has been living at Willowcroft for eight years (at the time of writing). We looked at a number of care homes in the area. Our decision was based on facilities, location, and staff attitudes. We’ve been very pleased with our choice. The facilities are excellent and well looked after. The staff
really care about their residents. They have been supportive as our mother’s mental condition deteriorates and her behaviour becomes more erratic. We’ve also been very impressed with the MHA. At first, it was the group oversight and the ability to provide cover in the event of staff changes. During the coronavirus pandemic, we have been particularly pleased with the forward planning and practical response: locking down the home early, sourcing PPE, building a dedicated meeting room complete with intercom and keeping us informed of developments.

Reply from Kate Prince, Home Manager at Willowcroft

Thank you for the kind and detailed review. It is great that you have been pleased with MHA as an organisation, as well as the care provided at Willowcroft.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Clare W (Daughter of Resident) published on 16 March 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Mum has been at Willowcroft, on the residential wing, for two years now. She has been looked after with care and respect, exceptionally well throughout. When the home went into lockdown, due to Covid 19 last year, they did so two weeks before the government instigated the national one and have kept
all their residents safe and happy throughout the year. The family have always been able to visit, (outside of the lockdown periods) either outside during the summer, or inside the internal 'pod' the home built, as the weather turned cooler in the autumn. The carers are all very kind and caring, nothing is too much trouble and the food choices are well balanced. Mum put on weight within a month of moving in. (Not too much though. Residents are weighed regularly as part of their health checkup.) Mum has not been well since last October, due to a new medical condition but the carers have gone out of their way to cheer her up and help her come to terms with her illness and look after her even more closely.

Reply from Kate Prince, Home Manager at Willowcroft

Thank you for your very kind review. We are so pleased that you are happy with the care your Mum is receiving and we will continue to support her, the very best we can.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Andrew W (Son of Resident) published on 10 June 2020
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I cannot fault the professionalism of the staff at Willowcroft. They are an exceptional group of people to whom I have no hesitation in entrusting my mother's care. From the quality of the food provided to the regular entertainment offered, their unceasing optimism and sense of humour make them the
perfect family substitute for my mother.

Reply from Wendy Collington, Home Manager at Willowcroft

Thank you for your positive comments about Willowcroft, they are very much appreciated. I will let the staff team know about your comments which they will most definitely be pleased to hear. The team here do work relentlessly to ensure a family atmosphere and keep everyone happy.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Leslie V S (Sister of Resident) published on 4 June 2020
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

On my weekly visit to see my sister, she has always looked well and quite happy with the home.

Reply from Wendy Collington, Home Manager at Willowcroft

Thank you for taking the time to complete the review. It’s very much appreciated by everyone at Willowcroft.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Martin M (Son of Resident) published on 1 June 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff treated Mum, and us, with care, respect and good humour. The food, accommodation and activities were excellent. I am delighted that we were able to get a place at Willowcroft for the last few months of her life.

Reply from Wendy Collington, Home Manager at Willowcroft

Thank you for your kind words. It was an honour to care for you mum for the short time she was living here, she was a lovely lady and we will all have happy memories of her and your family.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Current Review Score: 9.8 (9.818)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.8 (9.818) out of 10 for Willowcroft is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 11 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.9 out of 5 from 11 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:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.901 for Willowcroft is calculated as follows: ( (118 Excellents x 5) + (13 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 131 Ratings = 4.901

  • b) 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 4.917 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Willowcroft is based on 11 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 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

    • ii) 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 60 registered maximum number of service users is 12. 11 Positive Reviews ÷ 12 = 0.917

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • 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: 24 Sep 2019

Overall
Good

  • Caring

    Good

  • Effective

    Good

  • Responsive

    Good

  • Safe

    Requires improvement

  • Well-led

    Good

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

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading events

Awards / Recognitions (8)

Meet the Team (1)

No image found

Victoria Humphrey

Job Title: Home Manager

Joined: 2025

Victoria Humphrey, known to many as Vicky, is the Home Manager at MHA Willowcroft. She first joined the home in 2011 as a part-time Night Care Assistant and has since progressed through a variety of roles, including Senior and Deputy Manager. After a brief time away managing MHA The Herons, Vicky returned to Willowcroft in July 2024 to lead the home as Manager.


Vicky’s career in care began after serving as a Combat Medical Technician in the Army, where she spent five years travelling the world. Since leaving the military in 2004, she has dedicated over 27 years to the care and health sector.


She is passionate about providing care that is truly centred around each individual—recognising their preferences, needs, and personal story. Vicky also strongly believes in the power of effective, compassionate leadership and the positive impact it has on both team culture and the quality of care delivered.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of carehome.co.uk. Please contact Willowcroft to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Willowcroft has an Enhanced Service - more info.