The Haven

84 Harwich Road, Colchester CO4 3BS
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9.5 60 Reviews
  • The Haven, Colchester
The Haven is a national and regional award-winning care home registered for 32 occupants.

The Haven is known for its modern-day approach in Dementia Care using innovations and technology to enhance the support and stimulation to its residents encouraging them to live as independently as possible by receiving care and support consistent with their needs.

The Haven understands the importance of each person’s individuality and adapts a person centred approach to ensure each resident lives a life that they wish to live, whether it is menu preferences, religious and cultural needs or a trip to the pub now and then.

The Haven is set in approximately one acre of secluded land and is 5 minutes’ drive from Colchester town centre. Local amenities include bus stop directly outside, two small local shops and a church; pub and restaurants within walking distance.

The home also has 2 lounges and a dining room, with attractive views of the garden area. The grounds within which The Haven is located can be easily accessed and residents are able to make use of this beautiful area. Seating areas and are present to assist clients with poor mobility, enabling all residents to enjoy the benefits of outdoor exercise. The garden has lots of wildlife in the area, which help to create a welcoming and stimulating environment for residents and family members.

A caring place for anyone over the age of 65, male or female, who suffers from dementia, including married couples or partners, who have reached a stage in their lives where they prefer to live in a home where all the support required for daily living.

A caring team of staff provide cooked meals, refreshments, housekeeping and laundry services as well as personal care for residents.
There are numerous services offered by The Haven including regular visits by a hairdresser, chiropodist, occupational therapist and optician.

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Care Provided by The Haven

  • Type of Service
    • Residential Home
  • Privately Owned
  • For a maximum of 32 Service Users
  • Primary Care Categories
  • Dementia
  • Older Person Care
  • Physical Disability
  • Respite Care
  • Sensory Impairment
  • Care Offered
  • Alzheimer's
  • Challenging Behaviour/Psychosis
  • Hearing Impairment
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Speech Impairment
  • Stroke
  • Visual Impairment
  • Other Care Provided
  • End of Life Care
  • Independent Living Training
  • Own GP if required
  • Palliative Care
  • Physiotherapy

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Jane Diplock (Registered Manager)
  • Admission Criteria
    • Ages 65+
  • Room Information
    • Single Rooms (32)
  • Care Home Design/Build
    • Purpose Built: Yes
    • Last Refurbishment: 2023
    • Number of floors: 2

Funding & Fees Guide for The Haven

  • Funding Types Accepted
  • Self funding (Private)
  • Local Authority with Top-Up
  • Local Authority
  • NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) Funding
  • Weekly Charges per Person
    • Self-Funded Residential Care £1,250 – £1,250
    • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care £1,250 – £1,250
    • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care £1,250 – £1,250
    • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care £1,250 – £1,250

  • Excludes hairdresser and Chiropodist
  • (these prices are only a guideline, please contact The Haven to find out the exact price for your requirements)

Facilities

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

  • Please call the home to arrange a visit.
    The home have protected mealtimes


  • Parking

  • Parking available


The Haven Reviews (60)

Total of 60, showing 1-20
9.5

The Haven has a Review Score of 9.5 (9.542) out of 10, based on 10 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time The Haven has 60 reviews.

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  • 43
  • 16
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Review from Derek G (Son of Resident) published on 24 February 2025
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have been amazed at the efficiency and kindness of every staff member I have come in contact with. I think care work is extremely challenging and I'm amazed with their patience when dealing with difficult residents. I think I am lucky my mum got into The Haven.

Reply from Jane Diplock, Manager at The Haven

Thank you for taking the time to leave this review. We are pleased that you are happy with the care Mum receives and deserves.


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Review from D S (Son of Resident) published on 24 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

These guys have done really well with my mother, she is brighter and more active than she's been for a few years.
Well looked after and well fed. The room isn't bad but could be a little bigger I guess but she moved from a bigger room to be downstairs due to her mobility so it was needed.

Reply from Jane Diplock, Manager at The Haven

Thank you for taking the time to leave this review. We are all very pleased that you are happy with Mum's care and will continue to work hard to make sure she receives the very best care possible.


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Review from R F (Daughter of Resident) published on 31 January 2025
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My Dad has Alzheimer's and since being at The Haven he's settled in well, I often find him sitting by the open door of his room speaking to everyone who walks by. He appears well-kept and cheerful. Most of all he is safe and not lonely, and I know he's eating healthy. The staff always are cheerful and
kind. I'm happy my Dad resides at The Haven.

Reply from Jane Diplock, Manager at The Haven

Thank you for taking the time to leaving this review. We are very happy to hear that you are pleased with the care here at The Haven.


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Review from Gary H (Son of Resident) published on 28 January 2025
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Warm and welcoming place. Nice surroundings. Lovely staff, always more than happy to help.

Reply from Jane Diplock, Manager at The Haven

Thank you for taking the time to write this review. We are very happy that you are satisfied with everything here at The Haven.


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Review from L R (Sister of Resident) published on 28 January 2025
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

The management and staff are welcoming and friendly. The home feels homely, not too big, which is what I wanted for my brother and I feel this is his home now and to feel secure.

Reply from Jane Diplock, Manager at The Haven

Thank you for taking the time to write this review. We are very happy that you are satisfied with everything here at The Haven.


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Review from V P (Wife of Resident) published on 14 January 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The care my husband has received in 3 and a half years has been very good but his health is declining quite rapidly now and words cannot express the love and care he is receiving. As a family we are so grateful to the Staff for this. Also when I visit nothing is too much trouble.

Reply from Jane Diplock, Manager at The Haven

Thank you for this review, we are very pleased that you are happy with the care here at The Haven.


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Review from Anne B (Daughter of Resident) published on 13 January 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

The Haven always has a positive attitude both towards my father and myself. Everyone shows care and respect towards my father and ensures he is keeping in good health. I am always made welcome when I visit. Management are always helpful and keep the home running well and efficiently. All the while working
hard to make improvements.

Reply from Jane Diplock, Manager at The Haven

Thank you for this review. We are glad that you are happy with Dad's care and it is always a pleasure to see you when you visit.


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Review from Tracy w (Daughter of Resident) published on 12 February 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Been a great home I feel have bent over backwards to accommodate my mum.
Staff friendly and helpful nothing ever seems too much if you request something.
The new manager has been very helpful in settling my mum in.
I would recommend this home to others.

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Review from D C (Daughter of Resident) published on 6 April 2023
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

It's been a joy and relief to see Mum taken care of so well. It was definitely emotional bringing her here but she's been cared for so well from the moment she stepped in. We've just had a delightful Mother's Day afternoon tea, it was delicious and a really lovely experience.

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Review from Janet N (Daughter of Resident) published on 6 April 2023
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Absolutely amazing afternoon, Mother's Day tea. The food was delicious.

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Review from Mel B (Friend of Resident) published on 20 January 2023
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

A very good friend of mine has been staying here after having a bad fall at home. She has settled in really well. Her room is lovely decorated. All of the staff are excellent and the management are brilliant. She joins in with the daily activities and feels very safe here and enjoys the food. All the
staff take the time to chat with her, they are very friendly. An excellent care home that I would recommend to anyone.

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Review from C P (Wife of Resident) published on 9 January 2023
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

This excellent care home is well run by kindly caring staff. They always have time for a chat, a cup of tea and an encouraging word for me when I visit, usually every day. I vary my times of visit and it is always good, the care is first class. I am happy with this care home.

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Review from Anthony T (Husband of Resident) published on 13 December 2022
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My family and I have been very impressed with the care that has been shown to my wife during her stay at The Haven. The staff have been very attentive at all times and nothing was too much trouble for them. Unsure how my wife would react to her being away for a month, it was such a relief when visiting,
to find her so happy with the staff and surroundings. All staff welcomed visits whenever we wanted. Couldn't praise the running of the Haven enough. Thank you all, so much.

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Review from Suzanne C (Daughter of Resident) published on 2 December 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Quick to deal with any queries or complaints. They are dealt with quickly and confidentially. Staff are welcoming and always happy to help. A good range of activities and entertainment to cater for all the residents. Always encouraging residents to eat and drink their meals.

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Review from June H (Friend of Resident) published on 28 November 2022
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My friend has been very happy at The Haven. The staff are always friendly, and the food is wonderful; I've eaten there a few times, so can guarantee this. I've always felt welcome, and she always not only speaks highly about The Haven; she always has a smile on her face.

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Review from Elizabeth H (Daughter of Resident) published on 11 November 2022
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Since my dad has been staying here, my faith in care homes and peopled has been restored. The carers here are so lovely, one member even bought a Norwegian phrase book to learn some Norwegian as my dad is from Norway. The level of detail is beautiful and I feel reassured knowing my dad is safe here.

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Review from Steve F (Husband of Resident) published on 19 October 2022
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Having heard so many horror stories about care homes in the media, it was a revelation to me when my wife was placed in The Haven. The organisation and care in this home is peerless. Every member of staff treats the residents with respect and friendliness. Their patience with some obviously difficult
dementia sufferers is wonderful, as is their sense of humour. My wife sadly died, but her last weeks were handled so gently that at times I was moved to tears. If I ever have to live in a care home, I will fight tooth and nail to ensure that it will be in The Haven!

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Review from Michael W (Son of Resident) published on 12 September 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have put my mother in for a few weeks respite after a very bad fall. She has been in there a few days and really settled in fine. Her room is beautifully decorated, modern and very clean. The staff are really good and listen to everything she says and always cater for her needs as she is quite demanding
sometimes. The manager has made her feel very welcome, making sure she socialises with the other residents and gets everything she needs. It is such a weight off my mind, knowing I have found a great care home for my mother and she is getting the personal care she needs. Well done The Haven. There are a few members of the Haven staff I would like to mention - to the activities coordinator, Mum thinks a lot of you already and Mum speaks very highly of two members of staff in particular, who Mum told me helped her settle in. And the maintenance man, Mum told me you fixed her room up beautifully and did an excellent job. Excellent manager - thank you. Good job all of you.

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Review from Bryony F (Daughter of Resident) published on 27 June 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 2.0 out of 5

My father spent four weeks at the Haven on a discharge package from hospital in November/December 2021 before he died in late December 2021. The Haven kept him safe at a basic physical level only.
The home did have quite a dilapidated air. It could do with a coat of paint and the potholes on the driveway
make it difficult to take a manual wheelchair out onto the main road. The rooms are small. The whole place needs money spent on it to make it more welcoming and comfortable.
My father’s room was at the end of a corridor and residents seem to be free to walk through the room when I visited to use the ensuite toilet. Staff did not seem to prevent this. On one occasion when I visited, a resident walked into the room and drank directly from the lip of a jug of squash that had been put out for my father. My father said that people stole the food I had brought in and he did not feel safe.
His personal hygiene was allowed to deteriorate until I raised this with managers.

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Review from Terry C (Husband of Resident) published on 7 June 2022
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Very good, welcoming staff. They look after my wife extremely well. Overall, fantastic.

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Current Review Score: 9.5 (9.542)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.5 (9.542) out of 10 for The Haven is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.5 out of 5 from 10 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 10 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 4.542 for The Haven is calculated as follows: ( (67 Excellents x 5) + (48 Goods x 4) + (3 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 118 Ratings = 4.542

  • 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 The Haven is based on 10 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 32 registered maximum number of service users is 6.4, which has been reached with 10 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.

Performance

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating

Date: 31 Aug 2023

Overall
Good

  • Caring

    Good

  • Effective

    Good

  • Responsive

    Good

  • Safe

    Requires improvement

  • Well-led

    Good

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

View Latest Report

Bed Vacancies

Please Contact Us for Latest Vacancies

Awards / Recognitions (7)

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Meet the Team (4)

Tania

Tania Warner

Job Title: Registered Manager

Joined: 2021

I am honoured to be a part of the Sohal team and a registered Manager at The Haven. I have worked in the care sector for over 15 years, having started off a care assistant and worked up the ladder to a registered care manager. I have always had a passion for caring, particularly the elderly, and those living with dementia and Alzheimer’s.


I am passionate and care deeply about enhancing the resident’s lives.


Chloe

Chloe Collett

Job Title: Administrator

Joined: 2021

Hi, my name is Chloe and I have been at The Haven since October 2021, and I really enjoy working here.


I like to meet the families and build relationships with the residents on a daily basis.


Lisa

Lisa Keppel

Job Title: Activities Co-Ordinator

Joined: 2018

Hi, my name is Lisa, I have worked in Health and Social care for over 28 years in many different roles. For the past 4 years, I have been an Activities Co-Ordinator at The Haven.


I love spending time with the residents and hearing their life stories.


I do daily activities, both in groups and on a one-to-one basis.


It makes my day when I see the residents happy, smiling and enjoying themselves.


Lee

Lee Baldwin

Job Title: Administrator

Joined: 2014

Hello my is Lee Baldwin, and I have worked at The Haven for many years in different roles in the home.


I am now an Administrator and I'm really enjoying my role, I'm meeting different, people and really like interacting with the resident's families.


Frequently Asked Questions about The Haven

What types of Care is The Haven registered for?

Older Person Care, Dementia, Respite Care, Physical Disability & Sensory Impairment are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.

What additional types of Care does The Haven provide?

Palliative Care, Physiotherapy, Independent Living Training, Own GP if required & End of Life Care are other types of care provided.

How many Rooms does The Haven have?

There are 32 Single Rooms.

What are the Facilities & Services at The Haven?

Own Furniture if required, Pet Friendly (or by arrangement), Smoking not permitted, Close to Local shops, Near Public Transport, Minibus or other transport, Stairlift, Wheelchair Access, Ground Floor Accommodation only, Gardens, Phone Point in own room, Television point in own room & Residents Internet Access are some of the Facilities & Services.

How far is The Haven to the centre of Colchester?

0.9 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.