Church Farm at Skylarks

Adbolton Lane, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 5AS
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8.3 42 Reviews
  • Church Farm at Skylarks, Nottingham
Church Farm at Skylarks is a community of four houses for people living with dementia. Staff at Church Farm all have specialist dementia training. In total, Church Farm at Skylarks is home for 52 people, all of whom have their own ensuite and enclosed gardens.

Set in beautiful surroundings, adjacent to Skylarks Nature Reserve and next to an animal sanctuary, Church Farm has strong community links with the local area. Its ethos focuses on the person and their individual needs. Each carer works in the same house each day, getting to know the people in their house like family.

There are no uniforms, and for the people living at Church Farm, there is a big emphasis on being occupied and valued. Each house has its own kitchen, which is the heart of the home, where friends chat around the kitchen table, peeling vegetables ready for lunch, or dry the pots, doing things they’ve always done.

Life history is important at Church Farm, getting to know the things that make a difference to a person’s day. Church Farm acknowledges the benefit in making people feel valued and an important member of the community.   Church Farm at Skylarks has exemplary standards of care, with 24-hour nursing care from its own specialist dementia trained nurses, and a 'one GP one home' system, which gives better continuity throughout the home and better person-centred medical care.

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Care Provided

Primary Care Categories

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

Length of Stay

  • Permanent Care
  • Respite Care

Care Types Provided

  • Residential Care
  • Nursing Care
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • Dementia Nursing Care
  • For a maximum of 52 Service Users

Dementia Care Types

  • Mild Dementia
  • Moderate Dementia
  • Advanced/Complex Dementia

Other Care Provided

  • Palliative / End of Life Care
  • Day Care
  • Convalescent Care
  • Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
  • COPD/Pulmonary Disease
  • Bariatric Care/Obesity
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Stroke

Facilities

  • Own Furniture if required
  • Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
  • Smoking not permitted
  • Close to Local shops
  • Near Public Transport
  • Minibus or other transport
  • Lift
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Ground Floor Accommodation only
  • Gardens
  • Bar/Café
  • Residents Kitchenette
  • Phone Point in own room
  • Television point in own room
  • Residents Internet Access

Funding & Fees

Weekly Charges per Person

  • Self-Funded Residential Care: £1500 – £1800
  • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: £1500 – £1800
  • Self-Funded Nursing Care: £1500 – £1800
  • Self-Funded Nursing Dementia Care: £1500 – £1800
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care: £1500 – £1800
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: £1500 – £1800
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Nursing Care: £1500 – £1800
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Nursing Dementia Care: £1500 – £1800

These prices are only a guideline, please contact Church Farm at Skylarks 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)

Support you may be entitled to

If you chose a care home based in England, you may be eligible for NHS Funded Nursing Care (FNC), which helps cover the cost of nursing. This is worth £254.06 per week and is usually paid directly to the care home.

Good to Know

Group/Owner

Person in charge

  • Maria Spollin (Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Criteria

  • Ages 65+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: Yes
  • Year Purpose Built: 1976
  • Last Refurbishment: 2021
  • Number of floors: 1

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (52)
  • Couples/Companion Rooms (0)
  • Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (52)

Parking

  • There is plenty of free parking available on-site

Church Farm at Skylarks Reviews (42)

Total of 42, showing 21-40
8.3

Church Farm at Skylarks has a Review Score of 8.3 (8.348) out of 10, based on 7 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Church Farm at Skylarks has 42 reviews.

Overall Experience

  • 35
  • 6
  • 0
  • 0
  • 1

Date Published

42
7
7
7
35

Review from Alexandra R (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 3 December 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Mother-in-law had dementia and needed more care than the few nurses' visits a day. After a couple of months of research, our choice fell on Church Farm at Skylarks. The residents are encouraged into daily activities which help their dementia, and unlike in other homes where residents are left unsupervised
for most of the day, here, carers are with the patients at all times. The carers are genuinely caring and enjoying their jobs. The management is open to suggestions, involved in the progress of the residents and in frequent communication with families. We could not have wished for better care. It was very confusing to get the monthly update call from a nurse regarding her health and overall situation. Though not having a new and shiny building, it's what's going on inside that matters. This home we can highly recommend.
We were very touched to see the managers coming to mom's funeral. Thank you all very much for everything.

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Review from Frank W (Partner of Resident) published on 7 June 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Church Farm at Skylarks is an excellent care home. The staff are trained to cope with people with dementia. My partner is never alone as there is always someone to help and look after her. I am amazed and impressed by the staff's care and attention. Nothing is too much for them and I cannot praise them
highly enough.
My partner has been at Skylarks for eighteen months. She has early-onset dementia and can get very anxious and often walks around the home looking for me. It doesn’t matter where she goes, she speaks to everyone, residents and staff alike, and gives them hugs and if she loses her way there is always someone to take her back to the lounge.
Residents are never on their own. The carers provide lots of activities to keep the residents active, doing exercises, food preparation, making cakes, painting and colouring, and planting and watering flowers.
I am kept fully informed by management of all information regarding my partner.
In conclusion, my partner couldn’t be in a better place and I'm extremely happy with her care.

Reply from Helen Walton, Operations Director at Church Farm at Skylarks

Thank you for taking the time to leave this feedback. Our staff team will be most grateful. We are delighted that you feel positive and satisfied by the approach that we provide and acknowledge our efforts to help our family members feel busy each day.

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Review from Penny H (Daughter of Resident) published on 7 June 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Mum moved into Church Farm at Skylarks in the middle of the pandemic, she was transferred from hospital at what must have been an extremely confusing time for her. I went from being her main carer and seeing her at least twice a day to not seeing her for weeks. The staff at Skylarks have been brilliant,
not only with Mum but her family as well. Every member of staff I have met/spoken to has been so kind and patient, I feel that they really know Mum and genuinely care for her. Obviously, the circumstances over the last year have been unprecedented and I can't wait to see Mum's room! But thank you Skylarks for making a distressing situation, not just bearable but turning it into a positive caring and dignified experience.

Reply from Helen Walton, Operations Director at Church Farm at Skylarks

Thank you for taking the time to share your feelings; the team at Skylarks always appreciate it. It has been and will continue to be our pleasure to care for your Mum and look forward to a time when you can become a closer member of the Skylarks family.

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Review from Anne D (Sister of Resident) published on 7 December 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Skylarks was excellent. My brother had the best care, the staff, the care staff and everyone you meet there were very friendly and so helpful. Thank you to all. The building looks lovely when driving in. It's in a good location in the countryside.

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Review from Mark H (Son-in-law of Resident) published on 17 July 2020
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Very friendly and welcoming place. Not just for residents, but everyone. Food is marvelous, care is top-notch. Can't really find any faults here! A very bright and cheerful place to stay. Well done to all involved.

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Review from Robert D (Wife of Resident) published on 15 June 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Church Farm Skylarks is an excellent care home where my wife has been a resident for over three years with Alzheimers. During this time I have been highly impressed by the staff's care and attention. Nothing is too much for them and I cannot praise them enough.

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Review from Julia (Daughter of Resident) published on 28 May 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My father has been at Skylarks for nearly a year, he has been made very welcome despite having a few challenges. The staff are caring, compassionate and helpful and include family where possible. Dad has recently had Covid-19 but thanks to the superb nursing care with management support he has come
through. Thank you all.

Reply from Helen Walton, Operations Director at Church Farm at Skylarks

Thank you for your feedback, Julia. The team have worked exceptionally hard during this time and will really appreciate your kind words.

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Review from Susan G (Sister of Resident) published on 22 May 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I cannot recommend this home too highly! All staff from the very top are very professional, caring above and beyond normal. When visiting you entered a calm welcoming and happy home. All the residents were as happy and contented as far as they could be in this situation. The staff encourage them to
integrate and where possible they are taken on outings, even if only to the local pub.
My brother was very happy and even put on weight as he enjoyed the food, which always smelt good. His room, like the whole home, was always very clean without smelling sanitised.
His end of life care was, all be it unexpected, dealt with like everything else with care and compassion to both my brother and myself.
Summing up, the home is an excellent caring home and a credit to everyone.

Reply from Brent Grantham-Rae, Home Administrator at Church Farm at Skylarks

Thank you so much for your lovely review of our home.

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Review from Suzy R (Sister-in-law of Resident) published on 28 October 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

It's warm and inviting. Loads of attention to detail in making it feel homely. My sister-in-law has been in one particular 5-star-hotel-like residential home locally but it lacked the warmth of a really good caring staff. Skylarks is based on the Butterfly model worth looking up and I believe is done
really well. Loads of different pictures objects on the wall and although might to some seem a bit of a hotchpotch around the home it's clearly been well thought out. Themed wallpaper areas and different seating areas as you would in your own home. Visitors are welcomed and the staff have no uniform and photos of residents are mixed with staff but without labels - a real sense of equality. I loved one particular lounge that had different sorts of areas - a few fairy lights here and there, a disco ball surrounded by records - a themed Uk area and much more - all I know will provoke memories or even conversation for some but without being deliberately seen as reminiscing work.

Reply from Helen Walton, Operations Director at Church Farm at Skylarks

Thank you for your favourable review of your experience at Skylarks. We will pass this feedback to the team who work extremely hard to maintain the approach that you describe and appreciate.

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Review from M D (Daughter of Resident) published on 20 February 2019
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My father is very well cared for at Church Farm at Skylarks and he has been there for nearly two years. I am particularly impressed with the level of good interaction with care staff and positive communication that takes place at Church Farm at Skylarks. The gentleness and understanding of my father's
needs is, in my opinion, of a very high standard and a 'family feel' to the room that he is in is of great benefit to him.

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Review from L C (Daughter of Resident) published on 5 February 2019
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My dad has lived here for two years and I wouldn't have placed him anywhere else. The home is very well staffed, clean, friendly and they can't do enough for him. I would more than recommend the home to everyone else.

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Review from D C (Friend of Resident) published on 23 January 2019
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I come to see my friend, she seems to have settled in very well here. It seems to be very homely, very well run and with lots of activities to do. I couldn't think of a better home to be in.

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Review from Sylvia W (Wife of Resident) published on 10 January 2019
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My husband has been going to Skylarks for approximately five months on a two-day a week arrangement. He was made so welcome and was shown great understanding when he had moments of reluctance and resistance at being somewhere other than at home.
I feel so grateful that there is somewhere like Skylarks
where staff deal with the residents and service users as adults and in a non-condescending way.
The premises too are arranged in a very homely way.

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Review from D C (Friend of Resident) published on 9 January 2019
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I come to visit my friend now for over a year and every time I come the staff are very friendly and kind to both me and my husband. I always see the staff working well with all the residents helping them do activities and with anything that may need doing.

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Review from Brenda G (Wife of Resident) published on 18 December 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My husband is settled and seems quite happy most of the time, his general care is good. The staff are nice and my husband's primary carer treats him well and seems to have a good understanding, my husband co-operates with him most of the time.

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Review from B S (Daughter of Resident) published on 14 December 2017
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff at Church Farm at Skylarks continue to care for my father and his wife with the utmost sensitivity and kindness. When problems have arisen, they have been dealt with at the earliest opportunity and always appropriately. When I visit, I am always so impressed by the warmth of interactions between
staff and residents.

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Review from M B (Wife of Resident) published on 28 November 2017
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

I am happy with the care my husband gets. Staff are helpful and friendly. You are always made to feel welcome.

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Review from Maria L (Daughter of Resident) published on 20 January 2017
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mum has been in the home for almost 2 years. The home works really well considering they have residents with dementia at all stages and she has been treated with dignity and well looked after during that time. The staff are really friendly and try really hard to ensure the residents are happy. The
lady who provides entertainment is fantastic at putting on lots of activities and getting most people to try something. Outings are well planned and lots of laughter had by all. A monthly trip to see a film is always appreciated by those who go. My father who's in a different home is taken to see the film and staff from both homes ensure they can sit together and hold hands.

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Review from Michael P (Son of Resident) published on 30 November 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My dad has been in your care since January 2015 and during all that time he has been cared for in a very professional and caring way. When dad was first admitted there were very trying and difficult times all of which have been overcome thanks to the excellent care provided. Type 3 dementia is a dreadful
disease but every single resident is different and each and everyone has to be treated accordingly. My mum and I would just like to give a big thank you to all the carers at Church Farm, which has been a difficult time for all the family.

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Review from J D (Daughter of Resident) published on 3 November 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My father has severe dementia and challenging behaviour. I have found all the staff organised, well trained and quite confident in how they approach, encourage and care for him. This has enabled him (and me) to settle, sleep, enjoy his food and participate in the life of the home.
Dad says "they all
like me here" which reflects how they talk to him, they are affectionate, humorous and accepting of the residents. The staff teams work well together to create a stable, happy, organised and efficient environment for their charges to live safely with support but also to exercise choice in as much of their life as possible.

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Current Review Score: 8.3 (8.348)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 8.3 (8.348) out of 10 for Church Farm at Skylarks is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.2 out of 5 from 7 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.2 out of 5 from 6 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 4.171 for Church Farm at Skylarks is calculated as follows: ( (43 Excellents x 5) + (23 Goods x 4) + (8 Satisfactorys x 3) + (3 Poors x 2) + (5 Very Poors x 1) ) ÷ 82 Ratings = 4.171

  • 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 4.177 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Church Farm at Skylarks is based on 6 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 = 3.6

    • 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 52 registered maximum number of service users is 10.4. 6 Positive Reviews ÷ 10.4 = 0.577

  • 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: 25 Nov 2022

Overall
Good

  • Caring

    Good

  • Effective

    Good

  • Responsive

    Good

  • Safe

    Good

  • Well-led

    Good

Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England.

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Bed Vacancies

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Awards / Recognitions (2)

Meet the Team (3)

Helen

Helen Beacher

Job Title: Home Manager

Joined: 2025

With a background in nursing and a deep passion for delivering truly person-centred care rooted in emotional connections, I'm proud to be a part of the Skylarks family as Home Manager. I hold a BSc in Dementia Studies and an MSc in Advanced Dementia Studies from the University of Bradford - qualifications that reflect my commitment to understanding and supporting people living with Dementia in the most compassionate and evidence-based way possible.


Before joining the team, I had the privilege of supporting a care service in its journey from "Requires Improvement" to achieving an "Outstanding" CQC rating in 2025. I've also managed multiple nursing home settings concurrently, always with a focus on building strong, supportive teams and nurturing meaningful connections with family members, relatives and staff.


Outside of work, I'm happiest in the garden with my two much-loved dogs, Benjamin and Montgomery, who keep me smiling and active. I find real joy in nature and in the simple things - whether it's tending to plants or sharing a refreshment and a story with someone.


I'm thrilled to be a part of the Church Farm family, where kindness, curiosity, and community are at the heart of everything we do. Where "People Matter".

Maria

Maria Spollin

Job Title: Home Manager

Joined: 2014

Maria's early years were spent in Long Eaton, Northumberland, Leicestershire then Nottingham, primarily due to her Dad’s work in open-cast mining. Her Mum was a nurse and when they moved to Nottingham her parents ran a residential home which shared the same philosophy as the Church Farm approach today. This was Maria's introduction to the world of care, as she spent every weekend for 2 years working as a care assistant in the family 'home' until she began her nurse training after leaving school.


When qualified, Maria worked on a medical ward specialising in children’s and occasionally adult cardiothoracic surgery at Glenfield Hospital. During her 20-plus years there Maria did various specialist courses, including becoming a specialist in the most advanced form of life support available. Glenfield being the first of 5 centres in the UK to provide this level of support.


Since 1995 Maria has been involved with Church Farm through family links and attended a trip with some residents to Blackpool and also summer fetes and other social gatherings. Maria's previous experience helps her to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and to appreciate the need for privacy, dignity, and patience for everyone living in the home.


Away from work, Maria keeps busy with her family life. In her spare time, she likes to read a good crime novel.

Samantha

Samantha McCormack

Job Title: House Leader

Joined: 2014

Samantha works as House Leader overseeing all our Lounges.

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