the personal touch of the home is very important. We feel that our mother is safe
Anita R (Daughter-in-law of Resident)
Mum has benefitted from the many organised and fun activities run by compassionate and caring staff.
Debbie D (Daughter of Resident)
The home is friendly and very comfortable mum is happy and has many friends
Diane E (Daughter of Resident)
Upon arriving at the home, please press the buzzer on the intercom. A member of staff will greet you shortly. The home kindly request that you sign the guestbook upon both arrival and departure. This helps maintain an accurate record of who is in the building.
In the event of an emergency, please follow the designated safety protocols provided. Your cooperation ensures everyone's safety.
The home includes dedicated parking spaces.
Blackthorns has a Review Score of 9.7 (9.683) out of 10, based on 22 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Blackthorns has 81 reviews.
Review from P H (Daughter of Resident) published on 18 January 2016
Submitted via Postal Card •
Report
Overall Experience
5.0 out of 5
Facilities
Care / Support
Cleanliness
Treated with Dignity
Food & Drink
Staff
Activities
Management
Safety / Security
Rooms
Value for Money
The Review Score of 9.7 (9.683) out of 10 for Blackthorns is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.
a) The Average Rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 22 Reviews in the last 24 months.
b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 22 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.
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 4.683 for Blackthorns is calculated as follows: ( (190 Excellents x 5) + (57 Goods x 4) + (11 Satisfactorys x 3) + (1 Poors x 2) ) ÷ 259 Ratings = 4.683
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 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Blackthorns is based on 22 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 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4
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 62 registered maximum number of service users is 12.4, which has been reached with 22 Positive reviews. Points = 1
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.
Date: 10 Mar 2023
Caring
Effective
Responsive
Safe
Well-led
Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England.
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Job Title: Home Manager
Joined: 2012
I am Flavia Poplauschi, a dedicated Home Manager with over 12 years of experience in the health and social care sector. What excites me the most about my role are the growth and learning opportunities it offers. I hold an NVQ Level 5 in Health and Social Care and have been in a managerial position for the last 5 years. Last year, I also completed leadership training to further enhance my skills.
I can’t live without coffee, and I’m especially fond of my sister’s brew. When I have the chance, I love travelling and taking my family on trips to explore new places. Camping is one of my favourite outdoor activities, and I always look forward to the next adventure.
Job Title: Home Administrator
Joined: 2024
My name is Kinga Polak-Choat, and I am the Home Administrator at Runwood, where I started in August 2024. Although I am new to this role, every day brings something different. I have the opportunity to meet new people regularly and continuously learn and grow in this position.
I hold a master's degree in management and marketing, which has helped me transition into this role. Before joining Runwood, I spent 9 years working as a bookkeeper, collaborating with various businesses across different sectors. This experience has shaped my approach to organisation and problem-solving in my current role.
Outside of work, I’m known as the "food monster" at home, as I love to cook and eat! I enjoy spending time with my friends and family and taking walks with my dog. When I find the time, I also make it a point to attend body combat classes to stay active.
Job Title: Deputy Manager
Joined: 2024
Hi, I’m Alex Ile, and I’m currently the Deputy Manager at Runwood Homes, having rejoined the team in July 2024. I truly enjoy the caring side of my job, especially meeting new people, working with different organisations, and tackling the day-to-day challenges that come with it. As a registered nurse, this role is a great opportunity to continue making a positive impact on people’s lives.
I’m all about bringing joy to the workplace—I love making people laugh and being jolly, often cracking jokes at my own expense! Outside of work, I’m a fan of going to the gym to stay active, and I have a keen interest in computers and watching documentaries. Life is all about balance, and I like to keep things both fun and focused.
Job Title: Head Chef
Joined: 2023
Hi, I’m Andras, the Head Chef at Runwood Homes since September 2023. I have a passion for cooking and baking, and I truly enjoy creating delicious meals for our residents. One of the highlights of my day is interacting with residents during meal times, as it brings a personal touch to what I do.
I’m proud to share that I won the Chef of the Year 2023 award, a milestone that reflects my dedication to my craft.
Outside of the kitchen, I love playing football, going fishing, and savouring a good cup of coffee—because life is always better with coffee!
Job Title: Housekeeper
Joined: 2021
Hi, I’m Teri, and I’m proud to be a Housekeeper at Blackthorns. I joined Runwood in 2021, and in 2023, I stepped into my current role. I’m passionate about maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness and take great pride in ensuring our home is welcoming and comfortable for everyone.
Building meaningful relationships with residents and their families is one of the most rewarding parts of my work. I love contributing to a positive environment where everyone feels cared for and valued.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my house rabbit, Barnabi, who always keeps life interesting! I’m also a fan of holidays and cherish opportunities to relax and explore new places.
