Alderwood Care Home

39 Essex Hall Road, Colchester CO1 1ZP
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10 95 Reviews
  • Alderwood Care Home, Colchester
Alderwood Care Home provides award-winning, person-centred residential, nursing and dementia care from a skilled and passionate team. Rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission* (CQC), it is also accredited by the Gold Standards Framework for compassionate end-of-life care.

With a focus on making life meaningful, every day, residents enjoy a fun and varied schedule of activities and events designed to support their health and wellbeing. These include live performances from local entertainers, music and movement classes, pet therapy visits, craft workshops, and regular excursions to local places of interest in the minibus.

Alderwood is a beautiful, stylish and comfortable home featuring welcoming en-suite bedrooms, spacious lounges, a bustling brasserie, cinema, and hair salon. The home is surrounded by a large, landscaped garden, which plays host to regular community events and the residents’ Gardening Club.

Underpinned by strong community links, Alderwood runs a ‘wishing tree’ initiative, working with local partners to grant residents’ wishes, big and small, as well as frequently welcoming school children to enjoy the company of the residents.

As part of Alderwood’s commitment to providing outstanding care, the long-standing team receives on-going training, professional development and guidance to support all residents to live happy and fulfilled lives.

Families know their loved ones are being cared for by a trusted and reputable team, who work together with the residents’ best interests at heart.

*awarded December 2020.
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Care Provided

Primary Care Categories

  • Older Person Care
  • Dementia
  • Physical Disability
  • Visual / Hearing Impairment

Length of Stay

  • Permanent Care
  • Respite Care

Care Types Provided

  • Residential Care
  • Nursing Care
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • Dementia Nursing Care
  • For a maximum of 65 Service Users

Dementia Care Types

  • Mild Dementia
  • Moderate Dementia
  • Advanced/Complex Dementia

Other Care Provided

  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Stroke
  • Palliative / End of Life Care
  • COPD/Pulmonary Disease
  • Bariatric Care/Obesity
  • Convalescent Care
  • Day Care

Facilities

  • Smoking not permitted
  • Lift
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Gardens
  • Bar/Café
  • Television point in own room

Funding & Fees

Funding Types Accepted

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

Good to Know

Group/Owner

Person in charge

  • Nikki Leaney (Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Criteria

  • Ages 65+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: Yes

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (65)
  • Couples/Companion Rooms (0)

Visiting

  • Residents' visitors are always welcome, with no restrictions as to times/days.

Parking

  • Free on-site parking is available.

Alderwood Care Home Reviews (95)

10

Alderwood Care Home has a Review Score of 10 (9.956) out of 10, based on 23 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Alderwood Care Home has 95 reviews.

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Date Published
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Reviewer Connection to Alderwood Care Home
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Review from D L (Husband of Resident) published on 12 September 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Alderwood is a place that I visit five or six times a week all staff are wonderful, my wife is looked after so well and if there is any problems they a solved quickly, They are all Angels I can't recommend them all highly enough. I am so lucky to have found a care home that really cares.
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Review from R W (Son of Resident) published on 18 August 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The care and compassion that is employed at Alderwoods is 2nd to none. I and the family are in no doubt that the expertise, commitment and understanding of Mums needs has been the main reason for Mum still being with us today. Her home for the last 4 1/2 years. They have engaged her in daily activities
and brought about much happiness.
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Review from Linda L (Sister of Resident) published on 16 May 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My sister has been in Alderwood Care Home for 9 years and has always been treated with respect and has received exceptional care. She is happy here. I did not expect my sister to live such a long and healthy life once she was diagnosed with dementia, but the staff and management at Alderwood have
extended her life and the quality of it. I couldn't imagine her being anywhere else!
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Review from L W (Son of Resident) published on 30 April 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The level of care and staff commitment to ensure my mum had the best life possible is simply fantastic. Nothing is too much. My mum had never been so happy as she is now. The staff from catering, nursing to caring are all so committed. Also the premises are perfect thanks to the dedicated maintenance
staff.
I can rest easy in everyone at Alderwood to look after mum as she is on palliative care with stomach cancer. They have kept my mum well and alive for over a year even though the hospital said she only had a few months prognosis.and also no falls or injuries and unnecessary hospital admissions as everything has been discussed and planned for my mum to end her days in a place she calls home and is loved .
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Review from Frances F (Daughter of Resident) published on 3 April 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The care my mother receives at Alderwood is exceptional. It is an outstanding care home led by an outstanding manager. The wonderful lifestyle team ensure mum has a wide range of activities to take part in daily and mum really enjoys these social interactions. Mum regularly goes on interesting trips
which she loves, most recently to a Colchester ladies football match. The attention to detail in marking special occasions is lovely to see. Christmas transformed the home into a winter wonderland which gave a lot of joy to mum and I'm sure the other residents. Everyone's birthday is celebrated and they are made to feel very special. The care staff are kind, caring,happy, compassionate and respectful of the residents and very welcoming to me when I visit (almost daily). Alderwood is clean, bright and well cared for, it feels warm and homely. The grounds are beautifully maintained and the gardens are a lovely place to send time enjoying visits in. The meals provided are excellent and mum always comments on how nice the food is!
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Review from Fiona W (Daughter of Resident) published on 4 December 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Alderwood is led by a lady whom I have found to be both one of the kindest and most professional human beings I have ever met. She is a qualified nurse who has a ceaseless inner drive to do whatever is humanly possible for each and every resident's health, happiness and comfort. She leads from the front
by ensuring all her team members embody her values.
My father received incredible care and felt safe and happy and fully involved in decisions around his health. The Alderwood team sensitively involved Dad in everyday and significant decisions. He was delighted at the many in-room celebrations Alderwood provided for him on special occasions.
My mother also moved to Alderwood and became at ease extremely quickly thanks to the expert carers on the dementia floor. I have not seen Mum so settled and laughing so often for many years.
In summary, I have found Alderwood to be an oasis of comfort, kindness and professional care and can recommend it with no reservations.
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Review from David S (Father of Resident) published on 22 July 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has been in care for some 32 years, ever since undergoing a botch operation on the brain. Prior to becoming a resident at Alderwood Care Home his condition, both physical and mental had deteriorated to the point of being in a semi-vegetative state. Since being at Alderwood his condition has improved
dramatically, both physically and mentally and his quality of life has improved. All this is due to the care provided by the staff and management at Alderwood.
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Review from Mary N (Friend of Resident) published on 27 February 2024 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I came to see my dear friend for her birthday, 90 years old! I am a regular visitor to my friend. Classy, brilliant and wonderful attention to detail to the amazing birthday lunch and homemade birthday cake was just fantastic. Thank you so very much, I always look forward to coming to Alderwood, the
staff are wonderful, so kind and thoughtful.
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Review from Nicholas W (Partner of Resident) published on 23 January 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have always found the staff at Alderwood to be courteous caring and informative towards family partners and friends of our loved ones, the care offered to the residents is as you would expect outstanding.
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Review from H H (Wife of Resident) published on 22 January 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My husband has been wonderfully cared for since his arrival. He is always smiling and relaxed. The constant stimulation of the activities and interactions with the staff is really helping him. He is very happy in his room which is beautifully decorated and well furnished. I am relaxed knowing that my
husband's needs are being addressed on a daily basis. The very best care I could wish for him.
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Review from D W (Husband of Resident) published on 22 January 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The whole staff of the care home are committed to the well-being of the residents and their families. We have become members of a very large and loving family where everybody is important. Nothing is too much trouble.
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Review from Carole N (Sister of Resident) published on 22 January 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have nothing but admiration for the way this establishment is run. The residents are content and happy. We visit at various times during the day and the service is always excellent. The staff are excellent and nothing is too much trouble for the residents.
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Review from Nicola B (Daughter of Resident) published on 22 January 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The team at Alderwood are amazing. They are dedicated to taking care of the residents and their families. I know Mum is safe, cared for and loved. The team go the extra mile to create special memories for everyone.
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Review from M E (Daughter of Resident) published on 16 January 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Can't praise everyone at Alderwood enough. Such a huge amount of care and work to give everyone a wonderful Christmas. My parents are doing things we could never dream of doing with them at home. They are treated with dignity, love and care. I couldn't wish for them to be in a better place. Thank you.
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Review from G W (Daughter of Resident) published on 16 January 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Having had dementia for the last 12 years, my mother has received respite care in several care homes as well as private care with family so I think I can say with some authority, the care provided by Alderwood Care Home is exceptional and far exceeds the care she received previously. The staff are all
amazing as is the home, its garden, the food and the range of many daily activities. I only wish my mother had been a resident here much sooner.
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Review from Serena M (Daughter of Resident) published on 27 November 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
At Alderwood, there is an ethos of engagement and self-expression. The team know each resident and works to make sure that they settle in comfortably. The ethos of engagement and empowerment creates a tremendously happy atmosphere and there is no question of a lack of capacity preventing residents from
doing the things that they enjoy. The team create an environment which is safe, humorous and fun. The team were loving, caring, generous, humorous, patient, supportive, authentic and compassionate. She never lost her dignity and she loved these people but much more importantly they loved her, their care went way beyond the professionalism of just caring for bodily functions. As she became ill the team stepped up another gear and I can never express enough our thanks for the care that the whole family received at the end of my mother's life. She died peacefully surrounded by love and compassion. We will never forget this team of people. Thank you.
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Review from Benita S (Wife of Resident) published on 24 November 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My husband has now been a resident at Alderwood for almost 17 months and during all that time he has had top quality care from care staff who have taken time to know him as an individual and adjust to his moods. Both he and I have been able to feel at home and I have always felt welcomed as a family
member when there visiting. There are always lots of activities going on which family and friends are welcome to engage in, as well as special days arranged specially for us to come and join in. Having experienced several other care homes I can honestly say that Alderwood stands head and shoulders above any of them and I would and do recommend it to anyone who might be considering care for a family member. I am just so grateful that they had a room vacant for my husband in our hour of need.
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Review from Carol B (Niece of Resident) published on 24 November 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My aunt moved into the Alderwood Care Home almost three years ago. All the staff were so helpful in making her feel at home and easing her transition from independent living to living in a care home. As her health has deteriorated over the years, they have done all they can to help her adapt to her
changing needs. As a family, we feel very confident that all her needs are met and know that we can visit at any time and that there is always someone who can answer any questions we may have. The atmosphere is happy and positive and we are very grateful to all the staff.
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Review from Hannah H (Daughter of Resident) published on 21 November 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Alderwood Care Home has been the best care provider for my mum. She is treated with love and care. The team are all fantastic and meets her ever-changing needs with understanding, kindness and joy.
From cleaner to care home manager you get a joyful, friendly welcome.
My mum feels like she is on permanent
holiday, with fabulous meals, entertainment and well-considered events.
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Review from A B (Daughter of Resident) published on 20 November 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We cannot thank all the staff at departments at Alderwood Care Home enough for all their hard work, love, kindness, support and dedication not only to our mum but to us, as a family, as well.
What an amazing team you have, keep doing what you all do best.
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Current Review Score: 10.0 (9.956)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 10 (9.956) out of 10 for Alderwood Care Home is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 23 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 4.956 for Alderwood Care Home is calculated as follows: ( (260 Excellents x 5) + (12 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 272 Ratings = 4.956
  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 Alderwood Care Home 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 65 registered maximum number of service users is 13, 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 May 2018

Overall Outstanding

  • Caring Outstanding
  • Effective Good
  • Responsive Outstanding
  • Safe Good
  • Well-led Outstanding
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.

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Awards / Recognitions (22)

Meet the Team (1)

Nikki

Nikki Leaney

Job Title: Home Manager

Nikki has been qualified as a nurse for over 30 years, with 23 years of experience in specialised care for the elderly in the private sector.


“Every day I feel lucky to be in a profession that I truly love and to be part of so many people’s lives. I’ve had so many heart-warming and humbling experiences over the years with some truly amazing rewards.”

Frequently Asked Questions about Alderwood Care Home

What types of Care is Alderwood Care Home registered for?

Older Person Care, Dementia, Physical Disability & Visual / Hearing Impairment are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.

How many Rooms does Alderwood Care Home have?

There are 65 Single Rooms.

What are the Facilities & Services at Alderwood Care Home?

Smoking not permitted, Lift, Wheelchair Access, Gardens, Bar/Café & Television point in own room are some of the Facilities & Services.

How far is Alderwood Care Home to the centre of Colchester?

0.6 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.

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