
The staff and facilities are some of the best I’ve seen in a care homeRoger S(Friend of Resident/Service User)

There is only one word to describe Fern Brook Lodge... OutstandingA B(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

The carers who look after Mums are always cheerful, friendly and patientA H(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

The staff and facilities are some of the best I’ve seen in a care homeRoger S(Friend of Resident/Service User)

There is only one word to describe Fern Brook Lodge... OutstandingA B(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

The carers who look after Mums are always cheerful, friendly and patientA H(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

Fern Brook Lodge in Gillingham, Dorset is a friendly, warm and welcoming residential home, where residents living with dementia are treated with dignity and respect. Individuals enjoy a safe, caring environment with all the home comforts and 24-hour specialist care from professionally trained staff.
Staff at Fern Brook Lodge pride themselves on providing the best possible care alongside relevant health and social care professionals tailored for individuals and their families.
Residents...
Care Provided by Fern Brook Lodge
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- For a maximum of 75 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
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Smoking not permitted
- Near Public Transport
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Television point in own room
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Fern Brook Lodge for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Fern Brook Lodge 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)
Good to Know
Group / Owner
- Care South
- Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned
Person in charge
- Sara Maynard (Home Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Mixed with both male-only and female-only unit(s)
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
Room Information
- Single Rooms (75)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (75)
Fern Brook Lodge Reviews (77)
Fern Brook Lodge has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.753) out of 10, based on 32 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Fern Brook Lodge has 77 reviews.
Very good care home. Only a few disappointments. Staff are very good but not many on weekends. I know you're short-staffed at weekends but I am paying a lot of money over the month for my mum's care and in the week, not many staff about as my mum doesn't like to ask for help. Food is spot on, what I have seen but once again, seen a lot of food wasted when I have been in and my sister has seen.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. I am pleased that your mum enjoyed the food at Fern Brook Lodge. Regarding the staffing levels, they remain the same whether it be a weekday or weekend but we are always recruiting and thank you for the feedback. Indeed, if you would like to pop into...
I have always felt welcome and part of a big family. Dad can be a little bit difficult at times. The whole staff are truly wonderful they all take great care and are all very good at their jobs. I always find it a joy to visit. I talk to various other residents and they all seem to be very happy with staff and surroundings. Well done Fern Brook Lodge.
Thank you so much for giving Fern Brook Lodge a 5 star review! Wishing you all the best.
I am very happy here and the staff are very helpful and all they do is very appreciated.
We really appreciate your 5 star review, the team will be delighted.
The loving care given to my mother in her last weeks was excellent and made our experience almost bearable.
Thank you for your five star review, I will pass on your comments to the team at Fern Brook Lodge. All the best.
Excellent care is given from all members of staff at all times. Not only do they take great compassionate care of my mum, but always make sure we (my brother and I) have everything we need/require.
Thank you for your 5* review Nicki, I am so pleased to read your comments and am thrilled that you are so happy with the care your mother is receiving.
Couldn't wich for mum to be in a better care home.
Thank you for leaving Fern Brook Lodge a 5-star review, I will be sure to let the team know! All the best.
Mum joined Fernbrook Lodge in early August 2022. She was made to feel extremely welcome, as were we as a family, from the moment she arrived. She settled very quickly and soon made friends with other residents and is very happy. The staff are all very caring and friendly and nothing is too much trouble. It is a huge relief to us knowing she is happy and being well cared for.
We had to find a home for Mum, looked at a couple but when we found and looked around Fern Brook we knew this was the home for Mum. It was so hard for us to accept Mum had to go into a home. So it had to be right for us and Mum and to hear Mum say this is her home. She's happy, we're happy. From the moment you go in the floor to visit mum everybody is so friendly and helpful. Nothing is too much trouble. One thing would be nice to have a meeting with staff (carers) management to let us know how Mum is getting on after six months. Can not fault Fern Brook. Very good.
Thank you for your review, I will be sure to pass on your comments/feedback to the team at Fern Brook Lodge. Wishing you all the best.
At last my mum attended the 70th celebration with me. Attending a platinum jubilee garden bbq on Thursday 2nd of June. It was extremely well organised, wonderfully set in the gardens. Balloons, tables nicely laid, music, wonderful food. Everyone looked like they were enjoying the event. The staff worked very hard to make the event enjoyable. My thanks go to them all.
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a review. I am delighted to read you enjoyed the jubilee celebrations, I understand a good time was had by all. Many Thanks.
The manager and all the staff have been amazing. Nothing is too much trouble. Reception staff are very friendly.
Thank you, this is so lovely to read. I'll be sure to let the team at FBL know. Wishing you all the very best.
I was more than somewhat concerned about my Dad going into residential care. However, upon my first visit to Fern Brook Lodge, my fears were without foundation. The team at Fern Brook had done what they do best. Making new residents entirely comfortable, at ease and at home. I had not seen my father so full of spirit for some considerable time.
There was a certain ‘atmosphere’ I felt upon entering the building. An atmosphere of happiness. It seemed to me that all the staff genuinely enjoyed the jobs and cared about those in their care.
I left Dad after my initial visit confident in the knowledge he is in a first-class building, with all necessary facilities and the most professional staff one could wish for.
I would add Care South provided the above as a ‘Not for Profit organisation. There are others out there who charge much more for much less.
Whilst I cannot speak for other Care South facilities I have no hesitation in recommending Fern Brook Lodge.
Thank you so much for your review, it means the world to the team at FBL to receive such wonderful comments. I am delighted to know that Dad has settled in so well. Wishing you all the very best.
What a lovely car home Fern Brook Lodge is. Whilst visiting a dear friend who had been there only two weeks I was amazed to see how well he looked after being so I’ll for some time. The staff and facilities are some of the best I’ve seen in a care home. This is a well-run facility that puts the occupants needs first.
There is only one word to describe Fern Brook Lodge... Outstanding. From the dedicated carers, excellent food, spotlessly clean rooms and beautiful gardens. Fern Brook is a caring family environment with some of the kindest and dedicated people I have had the pleasure to meet. Unlike so many care homes that are in converted old houses – Fern Brook was built only 10 years ago. A great deal of consideration has been taken with the interiors - no boring brown drab colours to be seen. What you will find are bright, fresh and colourful interiors. The café on Birch Wing is like a French bistro, just wonderful. The food is excellent, an abundance of fresh fruit every day; strawberries, blueberries, homemade cakes... Everything is freshly prepared on the premises. The chef makes a mean omelette too! We can never thank the fantastic team at Fern Brook enough for the care and respect that they all showed to someone so very special to us. We will forever be so grateful.
The manager and the team of staff could not have done more to welcome my mum to Fern Brook Lodge and ensure he stay was as comfortable and happy as possible. This was a short respite, so she missed the comforts of her home; own bed and arise and recline chair, but otherwise, all was excellent. As a daughter, their communication to me was exemplary. Thank you!
Ranging from quizzes, flower arranging, pamper days, darts to bingo and minibus outings. The new manager is welcoming and happy to talk over any concerns. He gets out and about visiting residents introducing himself and getting to know their personalities and what is important to them. Mum is very well cared for and I would highly recommend Fern Brook Lodge as a safe and secure residence.
Warm welcome. Easy Covid test. Tea and cake! Homely feeling in the rooms.
Excellent care home, modern and clean. The staff are very friendly and helpful. Our mother enjoys the activities provided although suffering from dementia, she has been provided with activities to stimulate her memory. The only downside is there is not enough feedback on medication and communication.
My mother has been a resident here for six years. She is 101 years old going on 102 years in August, apart from deafness, she is completely 'compos mentis'. She thinks the world of some of the carers. In all the time she has been here, there has only been a couple of complaints. One of which resulted in the carer leaving, so I think the standard of care here is very high.
From comments made by my wife, she considers the home to be well run, with caring and courteous staff. She is well satisfied with the facilities. I would be happy to recommend the home to others requiring a care home.
All good - staff the lot.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 04 March 2020Good
- 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 (48) & Events (0)
- 02 Jun 2026
Dorset care home residents delighted in a memorable musical afternoon created especially for them by the BSO, Care South and JPMorganChase. Hosted at JPMorganChase’s Bournemouth campus, the midweek event included...
- 27 May 2026
Communities across the south of England gathered at Care South’s care homes to share experiences and raise awareness during Dementia Action Week. Karen Hodges, Group Dementia Lead for Care South,...
- 16 Apr 2026
Fern Brook Lodge residents embraced the spirit of spring with a colourful lavender-themed crafting session. Residents at the care home on Fern Brook Lane in Gillingham were pleased to welcome...
There are no upcoming events for Fern Brook Lodge.
Awards / Recognitions (6)
- 30 Jan 2026Recipient: Care South
- 31 Jan 2025Recipient: Care South
- 31 Jan 2024Recipient: Care South
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Fern Brook Lodge.
Meet the Team (1)

“As Manager at Fern Brook Lodge, I believe that our residents must be at the heart of all that we do. By nurturing and developing our team, we can then provide the best possible care, focusing all that we do around the individual's wishes and needs.”
Sara (pronounced Sarah) grew up in North Devon. She completed her nurse training in Cambridge in the 1980s and moved back to North Devon in the 90’s. She is now living locally to Gillingham. She worked in the NHS, mainly specialising in respiratory work and has always been passionate about enabling and giving people a voice.
She has been a care home manager for fourteen years, which has encompassed nursing, residential and dementia homes. Care South are delighted to have secured her talents for leading the team at Fern Brook Lodge and maintaining the levels of excellence this care home provides.
Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of carehome.co.uk. Please contact Fern Brook Lodge to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Fern Brook Lodge has an Enhanced Service -more info.