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Gainsborough Care Home

53 Ulwell Road, Swanage, Dorset BH19 1LQ
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Little touches like daffodils on St Davids' day showed how much staff listened and understoodKeith B(Son of Resident/Service User)
Gainsborough Care Home, Swanage
We know our mum is safe, cared for, happy and in her ever after home. Thank you.J C(Daughter of Resident/Service User)
Gainsborough Care Home, Swanage
The staff are kind, helpful and jolly, which makes the place homely.Sandy E(Daughter of Resident/Service User)
Gainsborough Care Home, Swanage

Gainsborough Care Home offers a home for life in Swanage, providing affordable residential, respite and dementia care. Gainsborough is set in a picturesque Purbeck seaside town, just a stone’s throw from Dorset’s stunning Jurassic Coast.

After being completely refurbished to a very high standard Gainsborough is fully equipped to deal with a range of needs and requirements. Gainsborough has three comfortable lounges and the dining room mean there is plenty of...  

Care Provided by Gainsborough Care Home

Primary Care Categories

  • Older Person Care
  • Dementia
  • Mental Health Condition
  • Physical Disability
  • Visual / Hearing Impairment

Length of Stay

  • Permanent Care
  • Respite Care

Care Types Provided

  • Residential Care
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 48 Service Users

Dementia Care Types

  • Mild Dementia
  • Moderate Dementia
  • Advanced/Complex Dementia

Other Care Provided

  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Stroke
  • Palliative / End of Life Care

Facilities

  • Own Furniture if required
  • Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
  • Smoking not permitted
  • Near Public Transport
  • Minibus or other transport
  • Lift
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Gardens
  • Phone Point in own room
  • Television point in own room
  • Residents Internet Access

Funding & Fees

Weekly Charges per Person

Type of carePermanentRespite
Residential Care£1,100 - £1,400£1,300 - £1,600
Residential Dementia Care£1,200 - £1,500£1,400 - £1,700
Our Care Home fees are all-inclusive. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Meals
- Activities
- Designated care advisor
- Support with funding
- 24-hour care updates via our app
- Housekeeping
- Laundry

- And more.

In fact, we have NO HIDDEN FEES and will never ask you to pay more than your agreed weekly fee.

Contact Gainsborough Care Home 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

Person in charge

  • Vicky Boursnell-Brooks (Home Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Information

  • Ages 65+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: No
  • Last Refurbishment: 2014

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (48)
  • Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (48)

Visiting

  • Visitors welcome anytime

Parking

  • Ample parking

Gainsborough Care Home Reviews (60)

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9.5

Gainsborough Care Home has a Review Score of 9.5 (9.492) out of 10, based on 14 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Gainsborough Care Home has 60 reviews.

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Review from S S (Daughter of Resident) published on 22 February 2023 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

Caring, helpful staff alongside bright friendly rooms and regular entertainment. Social media postings are both reassuring and nice to receive.

Reply from Dawn Hand, Manager at Gainsborough Care Home

This is another wonderful and reflective review of our home and staff. We are striving to do our best in all areas to ensure the residents and staff have a better environment to live and work in.

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Review from J D (Daughter of Resident) published on 6 February 2023 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

Staff are always welcoming. My relative always looks presentable. Overall, the appearance of the home is good.

Reply from Dawn Hand, Manager at Gainsborough Care Home

This wonderful resident has been with us since 2016. It has been a pleasure to be part of his journey. Our team work very hard to make the home a comfortable place and they care for every resident with the same dignity and respect they deserve.

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Review from Michael B (Son of Resident) published on 6 February 2023 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

Mum is cared for very well and we are always kept informed of her care and welfare. The staff are very caring and very friendly and Mum likes them all.

Reply from Dawn Hand, Manager at Gainsborough Care Home

This is a really true reflection of our home and team. Thank you. It is lovely for the team to read how appreciated they are.

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Review from E K (Daughter of Resident) published on 1 February 2023 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

Mum was swiftly admitted for respite care, with much kindness. All staff members treated her with care and kindness throughout her three-week stay.

Reply from Dawn Hand, Manager at Gainsborough Care Home

It is really good for the team to have such positive comments. They all do their very best to deliver care to our residents in a dignified and respectful way, whilst building good relationships with them and their families.

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Review from Clive T (Son of Resident) published on 19 January 2023 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience
My stepfather has been wonderfully looked after at Gainsborough during his stay over the six months. Unfortunately, his Alzheimer's progressed meaning he needed more care than we were able to offer at home.
The staff have been wonderful, attentive and caring and can't praise them highly enough.
When Dad, unfortunately, passed away over Christmas, it was peaceful and dignified and the staff were so helpful. They had the Doctor to attend just when needed and also kept us informed and updated.
There is no doubt this home is a credit - kept clean and tidy and the staff a credit to the caring profession.

Thank you to you all.

Reply from Dawn Hand, Registered Manager at Gainsborough Care Home

Thank you so much for such a wonderful review, which is truly reflective of the hard work and dedication of all the team here at Gainsborough Care Home.

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Review from Mark W (Son of Resident) published on 9 November 2022 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

Through shortages of staff, PPE and groceries etc, the team at Gainsborough Care Home have coped admirably and with a smile. 10/10 for their attitude through adversity. Thank you all on behalf of my mum and her family for doing such a great job.

Reply from Corinne Pryer, Operations Manager at Gainsborough Care Home

Thank you very much for your kind comments about Gainsborough. We really appreciate your review, we will share with all the team which I'm sure will mean a lot to them.

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Review from Janette G (Stepdaughter of Resident) published on 13 June 2022 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience
Because of Covid restrictions and the fact my stepmother is bed-bound my experience of Gainsborough Care Home as a whole has been limited. However mostly what I do witness is positive and my stepmother seems very happy with her care and that's what's important.

All staff have been friendly and helpful.

Reply from Dawn Hand, Registered Manager at Gainsborough Care Home

We are lucky to have a very good team at Gainsborough, who have worked very hard during Covid. We have always done our best to deliver an excellent service to our residents and their families and have done all we can through this difficult time to ensure the residents have our best attention at all times.

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Review from S B (Daughter of Resident) published on 6 June 2022 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

My father has been a resident at Gainsborough Care Home for the past year. He has a lovely clean, bright room with everything he needs. The staff are kind, caring and treat him with dignity and respect. He also enjoys all the tasty home-cooked meals which are provided.

Reply from Dawn Hand, Registered Manager at Gainsborough Care Home

This is a very welcomed review, thank you. We are constantly reviewing the service we provide to ensure Gainsborough Care Home has a good reputation and high standards in all areas. We are very lucky to have a great team who strive to make our home a wonderful place to live in, and clearly, our efforts are being welcomed, thank you.

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Review from Keith B (Son of Resident) published on 4 April 2022 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience
My mother was a resident of the home for the last nine months or so of her life. After an initial settling in period, she was happy and content and called it home. Having said that she never wanted to be in a home, she then said she should have agreed to it earlier.

The staff were always kind and caring and treated her, and from what I saw the other residents, as individuals. Little touches like daffodils on St Davids' day showed how much staff listened and understood what was important to the residents.

Reply from Dawn Hand, Registered Manager at Gainsborough Care Home

It is always nice to read such a positive review. The staff at Gainsborough Care Home do all they can to make the residents feel at home. The staff always listen to the needs of the residents and our activities coordinators always make sure we celebrate calendared events and indeed work very hard in organising entertainment and other activities and outings for the residents.

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Review from J C (Daughter of Resident) published on 26 January 2022 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

As soon as my mum said 'can I go home now?' (to Gainsborough) we knew she was settled and happy. Of course, she has blips as in missing her house, but then she will compare the care, attention and life at Gainsborough as she would imagine what life would be like being on a cruise liner. We know our mum is safe, cared for, happy and in her ever after home. Thank you.

Reply from Louise Van Dorn, Registered Manager at Gainsborough Care Home
I will share your lovely review with the team.

We pride ourselves in having a homely, caring atmosphere and I am so pleased Mum feels at home here at Gainsborough.

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Review from Sheila P (Daughter of Resident) published on 26 January 2022 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

Having promised my mother I would never send her to a care home, we could no longer care for her so we chose Gainsborough. We were so impressed with the care and attention given to her, and she soon settled in and we were happy knowing she was being well cared for and loved. The staff were always available to discuss any problems that arose.

Reply from Louise Van Dorn, Registered Manager at Gainsborough Care Home
Thank you for your kind words.

It was an absolute pleasure to care for Mum.

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Review from Sandy E (Daughter of Resident) published on 12 January 2022 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

Throughout Mum's residency at Gainsborough, she has been very happy. Many of the staff have worked there for a long time so they know Mum well, which is important for any resident. The staff are kind, helpful and jolly, which makes the place homely. As visitors, we always feel welcome.

Reply from Louise Van Dorn, Registered Manager at Gainsborough Care Home

Thank you so much for your kind review. I will share this with the team who all work very hard to ensure all residents feel happy and well cared for.

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Review from Julie K (Daughter of Resident) published on 3 August 2021 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

Under great management and leadership and all the team members. We can highly recommend Gainsborough Carew Home as an excellent Carehome. Our dad was a resident from July 2020 until a few weeks ago. Dad was greeted with the warmest of welcomes and very soon settled into the daily routine with loving care and understanding of all the carers. Dad needed palliative care towards the end of his life and we can only say a massive thank you to you all.

Reply from Louise Van Dorn, Registered Manager at Gainsborough Care Home

Thank you for your kind words, it means such a lot to the team. It was a real pleasure to care for Dad, he was a big presence in the home and is very much missed.

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Review from M W (Son of Resident) published on 7 July 2021 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

Not enough staff to give the clients some proper 1-1 time to talk to them. Very, very rare to be offered some fresh fruit.

Reply from Louise Van Dorn, Registered Manager at Gainsborough Care Home

We are sorry you feel staff don't have one to one time with your mum but I can reassure you that Mum is offered a full activities programme and staff always pop in for a chat. Fresh fruit is always available and I will ensure Mum is aware of this should she want some.

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Review from Jane L (Daughter of Resident) published on 16 June 2021 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

My mother broke her leg in 2019 after the last in a long series of falls. The care home she had been in previously could not accept her back with increased disability, we were offered 2 different care homes within Swanage - I am so glad we chose Gainsborough Care Home! My mother thinks she is in a hotel, the food is wonderful and everyone is so kind. I have also seen how good it is when visiting. I now have no fear of going into care myself if I ever need to.

Reply from Louise Van Dorn, Registered Manager at Gainsborough Care Home

So happy to hear that you are happy with the care and support your mum receives. Thank you so much for the lovely review and I will enjoy sharing it with the team.

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Review from Graham P (Son of Resident) published on 8 June 2021 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

Dad's only been in the home for a short space of time. I love the way the staff treat my dad. I did have one issue with Dad. However, I spoke to management, and it was dealt with and rectified immediately, and I was very happy and satisfied. We undertake the difficulties when items go missing, however, we do feel that more could be done to locate them as we are told his room has been searched, and then we're told they've turned up in his bedroom weeks later. Overall, however, we are very satisfied with the care given to Dad.

Reply from Louise Van Dorn, Registered Manager at Gainsborough Care Home
So pleased that you are very satisfied with the care dad is receiving; it's a real pleasure to care for him.
Unfortunately, residents do, at times, misplace things, and they turn up some time later.

I am also pleased to hear that management dealt with your issue swiftly, and you were satisfied with the outcome.

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Review from T L (Husband of Resident) published on 7 June 2021 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

The staff and management are always efficient and helpful. The property and rooms are clean and tidy. I have said to my two sons if anything happens to me they are to leave her at this home. She seems content and happy. Also, the grounds are kept very neat and tidy.

Reply from Louise Van Dorn, Registered Manager at Gainsborough Care Home

It is an absolute pleasure to care for her here at Gainsborough.

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Review from D J (Son of Resident) published on 7 June 2021 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

My mother isn't the most easiest to please, but she feels at home here due to the compassion and care of the staff.

Reply from Louise Van Dorn, Registered Manager at Gainsborough Care Home

Thank you for your lovely review, I will share this with the staff.

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Review from Adrian B (Resident / Service User) published on 4 June 2021 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience
Having had no previous experience of care home living I was unsure what to expect. I have been gladdened to have a good quality of care and a more than satisfactory 'life' here.

I would recommend this establishment to anybody wanting a comfortable, safe and relaxing environment. The staff, for the most part, are excellent, led by one of the best people I have ever met.

Reply from Louise Van Dorn, Registered Manager at Gainsborough Care Home

It's great to hear how happy you are here at Gainsborough.

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Review from Kathy D (Daughter of Resident) published on 3 June 2021 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience
I am so relieved I have Mum settled in Gainsborough. I live overseas, trying to get the help Mum needed to stay safe in her own home was almost impossible to organise and manage without regular trips back home, so to know she's somewhere safe, being well cared for and happy is a huge relief with Covid stopping me from returning to see her. In the time she's been there, she has gained weight (she's a healthy weight now for the first time in years), she's happy and when I last saw her was talking about the present (not the past). The team keep me posted and read all the communication I send to her. I really appreciate the feedback and photos.

I find it very hard putting into words how grateful I am to find a place where she is happy and being well cared for. It took a long time to find Gainsborough, as her brief stays in other facilities had not worked out.

Reply from Louise Van Dorn, Registered Manager at Gainsborough Care Home
We appreciate your very kind words written, so thank you very much.

We strive to have great relationships with family members and we enjoy reading your lovely emails to mum just as much as she loves receiving them.

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Regulatory Rating

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating

Date: 21 May 2025
Overall
Good
  • CaringGood
  • EffectiveGood
  • ResponsiveGood
  • SafeGood
  • Well-ledGood
Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England.View Latest Report

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News (0) & Events (0)

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Awards / Recognitions (0)

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Accreditations

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Meet the Team (1)

Juliet Porter
Juliet PorterJob Title:Deputy ManagerJoined: 2017

Juliet has been working at Gainsborough Care Home since 2017 as an Administrator. During this time, Juliet has grown with the home and has been a valued team member, understanding the needs of the home and the residents.

In 2022 Dawn Hand became the new Registered Manager and appointed Juliet as her Deputy reinforcing the Management Team, new ideas and structure.

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