
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.
This home gave my grandfather the best final years he could have hoped for. Staff went above and beyond to ensure he was looked after and had all he needed. The final months of his life were made fundamentally better due to his location. I cannot recommend this home more. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Staff are fantastic.
My elderly relative is very happy here and tells me she like everything; after being lonely at home and not being able to cope.
Staff very friendly and helpful. Nothing is too much trouble. Due to covid unable to answer all the questions below as unable to access the home completely.
Friendly but serious with it. Lots of laughter for mum, but the get on with the job. Couldn't be more helpful. Even made a special for with screens for the pandemic. We really lucked out when mum came here.
It has certainly restored my faith in care homes as I have had a particularly bad experience recently with a care home. When the service user returned home he was more or less relaxed and in no way anxious as has been the experience with other homes.
The care that my brother is getting is excellent. The staff are all very kind and know when he is 'not right' ie under the weather and act quickly to deal with the situation. He gets on well with the staff and enjoys having a joke with them. He doesn't always join the activities although he does enjoy the quizzes and going on the little outings. A lot of work has been lifted from my shoulders since he has been in Fern Brook Lodge, as I know he is in a safe environment.
My mother, a resident at Fern Brook Lodge since 2015, has been extremely well cared for by the staff who have shown her great kindness and attention. Although suffering from dementia, she has been provided with activities to stimulate her memory and visits from pets have given her much happiness. Many thanks to the caring staff for their hard work.
My father has always been well cared for and the staff have always been friendly and attentive. I believe my father feels happy and safe. The home is spacious and purpose-designed. He likes the food and says he is well cared for. He joins in and enjoys most of the activities.
Staff were friendly and helpful at all times.
The home has struggled with staff retention. They struggled to find a home manager, probably contributing to staffing issues. They now have a permanent manager. There was a monthly meeting between management, residents and their loved ones to address issues, although with COVID-19 this has obviously stopped.
I feel very welcome when visiting. I’ve had many a cup of tea made for me, and sometimes had a meal with my father. I’ve attended church services at the home with Dad too. It is a great comfort knowing that my father is looked after by staff who really care.
I cannot speak highly enough of St Martins Grange. The staff are so friendly and professional and do everything they possibly can to make residents and visitors feel at home. My great-aunt (95 yrs old) moved in because we needed 24-hour care for her after several falls at home. The manager and staff made the whole experience so simple and stress-free from our initial visit through to moving her in. St Martins feels as much like home as you’ll find anywhere and I can’t them they enough for making her feel so welcome. As a family, we wanted the best possible care within what we can afford, and St Martins Grange provides as good value for money as you will find. The daily activities programme gives my great-aunt plenty of opportunities for socialising and keeping her mind and body active. Meals are superb; nutritious and delicious. Above all, we have been impressed by the kindness of the staff, and the compassion they offer in their interactions with residents.
The food was poor although I gather there is now a new chef. Not aware of many outside trips or activities. The staff never seem to have enough time or support.
I visit every week and take part in activities which are excellent. I have made lots of friends which helps cope with my wife's Dementia. It is a beautiful home for my wife. She has been at St Martines Grange for 3 years.
My wife is doing everything, she gets out and it's superb.
The standard of love and care shown by the staff is quite exceptional. Nothing is too much trouble. Visitors are made to feel welcome and are offered coffee on arrival. The atmosphere is very relaxed and happy. I would not hesitate to recommend St Martins Grange to anyone.
The staff at St Martins Grange simply go that extra mile for their residents. This home is purpose built and immaculate, the food is delicious and plentiful and mum always looks her best, including lovely hair and painted nails if she wants them. Her room is exceptionally comfortable, well decorated, clean and homely. We feel mum is safe without being 'enclosed' - big windows and open outlook all around - and the family is welcome to visit at any time. We have experienced the worst examples of care this year in our quest to find the best for mum's Alzheimer's needs - now we feel we are experiencing the BEST of care. From initial (despairing) phone call which immediately put us at ease, to the first visit where the manager took more than an hour showing us around, to the way everything from essential admin to personal care and individual needs has been handled, we cannot recommend highly enough. It's never easy when your loved one enters care but St Martin's has made the transition easier.
Totally brilliant care home, the whole family are delighted that my father in law is being taken care of so brilliantly and even he said himself it's an excellent choice, I'm very happy here. His room is lovely and overlooks our house across the fields. The staff are exceptional, very professional and make visiting a real pleasure. A special mention goes to all the staff and the maintenance man, all go above and beyond the call of duty with a really positive can do attitude, nothing is ever too much trouble and everything is beautifully taken care of. A special thank you to all the staff. A* highly recommended (from one big happy family).
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.