
The staff were very helpful and considerate - wonderful.R C(Husband of Resident/Service User)

After some searching and a recommendation from a friend. St Ives was to be her new homeS B(Sister of Resident/Service User)

this place is extraordinary and has excellent care provided to your loved onesJ C(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

The staff were very helpful and considerate - wonderful.R C(Husband of Resident/Service User)

After some searching and a recommendation from a friend. St Ives was to be her new homeS B(Sister of Resident/Service User)

this place is extraordinary and has excellent care provided to your loved onesJ C(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

St Ives House is a beautiful residential and dementia care home at Ashley Heath near Ringwood.
The home provides a warm and relaxed environment in an attractive sylvan setting, and has been carefully designed to provide comfort and convenience for residents, relatives and staff.
With 60 en-suite bedrooms and an abundance of light and space, St Ives House provides everything to make it feel homely, safe and comfortable.
St Ives House home sits...
Care Provided by St Ives House
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Physical Disability
- Visual / Hearing Impairment
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- For a maximum of 60 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
Other Care Provided
- Palliative / End of Life Care
- Convalescent Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Smoking not permitted
- Minibus or other transport
- Lift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Bar/Café
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact St Ives House for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact St Ives House 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
- Emma Cotton (Home Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 53+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
Room Information
- Single Rooms (60)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (60)
Visiting
- St Ives operates an 'Open House' policy and encourages family and friends to visit. No limited visiting hours.
Parking
- Ample parking at the onsite car park.
St Ives House Reviews (119)
St Ives House has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.793) out of 10, based on 28 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time St Ives House has 119 reviews.
I have stayed here before on two occasions, and I want to be honest here as I love St Ives House, but I found this visit that some things had changed! Due to Covid and recruitment difficulties, so shortage of staff, I found the button call response slow, noticed no steam cleaning as was done before, especially needed with Covid about. I had some nice meals and some not so nice, and twice I didn't get breakfast, but I love the people and the place, so would come again.
I would like to take this opportunity to say a very big thank you to all the staff at St Ives House. Nobody wants to think the day may come that you are unable to look after your own parents, but sometimes, life makes things way too complicated. Anyone, please be assured, if you think your mum, dad, member of your family or friend needs some extra help if only for a short time, I can't think of a lovelier place. I would recommend it to anyone. PS. Dad admits he ate too much and will have to go on a diet!
I was really impressed with St Ives House. My mother had really bad sciatica, and I was able to meet the home manager and arrange urgent respite care in 24-hours. The room and surroundings were clean, comfortable and homely. My mother was treated with kindness, and when I visited, the carers were friendly and helpful. My mother was given the confidence to go home again.
My wife was only there for 16-days, and she was very well looked after. The staff were very helpful and considerate - wonderful.
My mum owned a residential home for many years, so this was always going to be tricky, but after speaking with one lady, we decided this was the right home for Mum. I honestly cannot thank the staff enough, they cared for my lovely Mum unconditionally and kept her safe during the horrid times of Covid. Nothing was too much trouble, and they were always there for Mum and also for me, putting my mind at ease and keeping me informed of everything. I 110% recommend st Ives House; they are very welcoming, caring and just lovely people. Thank you so much for all you did for Mum.
My dad was admitted to St Ives House in September 2018, and we never regret choosing St Ives House. It's a wonderful place, and excellent care given to my dad. Staff are highly trained and treat every resident with respect based on their individual preferences. I and my family highly recommended St Ives House to everyone, as this place is extraordinary and has excellent care provided to your loved ones. Thank you so much to all the staff and who are involved in my dad's care. We couldn't thank you all enough.
My father has been a resident for almost four years now and as a family, we have never regretted our decision to choose St Ives House. Dad has been very settled and the staff have always treated him with love, care and respect. We have always been kept informed of any developments and we have total confidence that Dad is in very good hands. All the staff are just so wonderful, thank you all so much.
Spotlessly clean, fresh-smelling, bright decor and furnishings. Lift always working. Residents are mostly friendly. Staff always friendly and kind, sometimes under very stressful circumstances. I have no regrets on signing my friend of over 60-years into St Ives, and if the need arose, both my husband and myself would stay there. Most people I know have said more like a 5-star hotel rather than a care home. The other good idea is that residents do not have to sit in a circle to look at each other all day.
Following a serious fall, resulting in a broken pelvis and a few days in hospital, my mother was returned to St Ives House as there was nothing else the hospital could do to help her. All the staff at St Ives were brilliant in looking after her as she reached the end of her life and made every effort, within the rules, to allow my sister and myself to visit in her final hours. My mother lives at St Ives House since it opened and had a truly wonderful life there.
I would give St Ives House and its staff the highest recommendation.
The staff are excellent and have been very helpful with medical needs - planning my medical care etc. I enjoyed the company of a lot to the people who stay here. The meals are excellent. The room was very comfortable and the furnishings throughout the home lovely.
My sister has only been here for two weeks, so this review must be qualified by this, added to which covid19 restricts visitors entry and only limited to short controlled visits. However, my sister was transferred here from another care home, and her demeanour has dramatically improved from calling for help with constant agitations to being outwardly calmer and able to hold a reasonable conversation. Overall, my experience has been excellent throughout and where I have given a good, it is only because of the qualifications above.
He is suffering from vascular dementia and during his stay has had 2 UTI’s resulting in hospital visits and several falls. Everything has been taken care of, either getting him to A&E or requesting a District nurse or the paramedics with as little fuss as possible. What is exceptional is the fact that they always keep me informed, without trying to worry me too much.
The staff seem so caring and one gets the feeling that they treat all the residents as individuals.
I would not hesitate to recommend anyone to try out St Ives House.
St Ives have shown nothing but care and consideration to him in the five weeks he was in their care.
Even with the Covid situation the management and staff have been fantastic. It is a beautiful care home with lovely grounds.
I can highly recommend this care home.
It is a big step when you have to make a decision to send a loved one into a care home for the first time.
St Ives certainly go out of their way to make this as smooth as they can for the new resident as well as their family.
My father was treated with the utmost care and dignity in the last few weeks of his life and in the two years he spent at St. Ives prior to his death.
This facility is excellent, set in beautiful tranquil New Forest grounds. It's new so up to date facilities. They've been instrumental in prolonging my 93-year-old dad's life and making him very comfortable as he has late-stage Alzheimer's.
Upon her arrival, my mum was very poorly and vulnerable. Through the high quality, warm professional care of its staff she re-gained weight, joined in group activities and her outlook improved. It has been our experience that St Ives takes sound clinical decisions based on the best interests of its residents and our family recommends St Ives House without question.
Mum was made to feel cared for while maintaining her dignity, her own self. With good food and care she improved immensely. Giving medication, particularly pain relief regularly, makes a difference.
From the first contact/viewing extremely impressed with the care manager and all the staff. My mother-in-law moved in 4 weeks ago again I cannot fault anything about the staff and home. Mother-in-law is happy and well cared for and has even been taken to her Church on the home mini-bus.
The building is very spacious, clean and represents a special home from home. The residents were very welcoming and I enjoyed many wide-ranging conversations. Special thanks.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 11 November 2023Good
- 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 (31) & Events (0)
- 27 Jul 2026
A Ringwood care home resident went bowling for the first time in 10 years with the support of his care home team. Ken, who lives in St Ives House in...
- 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,...
There are no upcoming events for St Ives House.
Awards / Recognitions (8)
- 30 Jan 2026Recipient: Care South
- 31 Jan 2025Recipient: Care South
- 31 Jan 2024Recipient: Care South
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for St Ives House.
Meet the Team (1)

I’m Emma and I’m the very proud manager of St Ives House. I have worked with Care South for over 20 years, managing a number of their care homes in Dorset. My earliest memories of wanting to be a carer come from my childhood; Mum was a carer and it was great meeting her colleagues and being there with the residents.
I believe in a loving, caring environment for our residents; there is nothing better than spending my days with them and hearing about their life experiences, they constantly amaze me. I love my job because no two days are the same at St Ives House.
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