Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home

Church End, Barley, Royston SG8 8JS
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9.9 109 Reviews
  • Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home, Royston
Margaret House residential and dementia care home is an independent, award winning family-run business.

Established in 1971, it offers long stay residential and dementia care as well as respite care, with either single or double rooms available.

Whether living in the beautiful, sympathetically converted former rectory or the purpose-built wing, the aim is the same - to provide a place that residents truly regard as their home.

Experienced, dedicated staff have a genuine care for, and understanding of, each individual resident’s needs, concerns or desires and that caring extends not only to residents but to their relatives as well.

Relatives and friends are always warmly welcome to join residents for lunch or dinner and to participate with them in any of the many varied activities and well being events that take place daily at Margaret House - where care means caring.

Care Provided by Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home

  • Primary Care Categories
  • Dementia
  • Older Person Care
  • Physical Disability
  • Respite Care
  • Sensory Impairment
  • Care Types Provided
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 43 Service Users
  • Privately Owned
  • Care Offered
  • Alzheimer's
  • Bariatric Care/Obesity
  • Cancer Care
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Colitis & Crohn's Disease
  • Hearing Impairment
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Orthopaedic
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Speech Impairment
  • Stroke
  • Visual Impairment
  • Other Care Provided
  • Convalescent Care
  • End of Life Care
  • Own GP if required
  • Palliative Care
  • Physiotherapy
  • Separate Specialist Dementia Care Unit

Good to Know

  • Owner
  • Thomas Kelly
  • Person in charge
  • Jacqueline Pope (Registered Manager)
  • Admission Criteria
    • Ages 65+
  • Room Information
    • Single Rooms (35)
    • Couples/Companion Rooms (4)
    • Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (7)
    • Couples/Companion Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (2)
  • Care Home Design/Build
    • Purpose Built: Yes
    • Year Purpose Built: 1996
    • Last Refurbishment: 2020
    • Number of floors: 2

Funding & Fees Guide for Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home

  • 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 £1,300 – £1,500
    • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care £1,500 – £1,650
    • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care £1,600 – £1,800
    • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care £1,700 – £1,900
  • The fee charged depends on an individual assessment of need and the room chosen. It includes 24hr personalised care, all dietary requirements and our full wellbeing programme and activities.


  • (these prices are only a guideline, please contact Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home to find out the exact price for your requirements)

Facilities

  • Bar/Café
  • Close to Local shops
  • Gardens
  • Lift
  • Minibus or other transport
  • Own Furniture if required
  • Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
  • Phone Point in own room
  • Residents Internet Access
  • Residents Kitchenette
  • Smoking not permitted
  • Stairlift
  • Television point in own room
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Visiting
  • Relatives and friends always welcome at any time at Margaret House.


  • Parking
  • There's parking spaces available for clients and visitors at Margaret House.


Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home Reviews (109)

Total of 109, showing 21-40
9.9

Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.861) out of 10, based on 12 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home has 109 reviews.

Overall Experience

  • 102
  • 5
  • 1
  • 0
  • 1

Date Published

109
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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I’m very thankful to all the staff at Margaret House for the outstanding care our father receives. He is treated with respect and kindness and always looks well cared for. It feels that the staff have really got to know him and genuinely care for his day to day well-being. He appears to be happy, content
and secure in his surroundings and the activities organised keep him busy for much of the time. The home has a calm and relaxed feel and having the beautiful garden adds to this. Thank you all.

Reply from Sam Adby, Home Services Manager at Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home

Thank you for taking the time to provide this review, it is much appreciated.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I feel very fortunate to have found Margaret House as a new home for my aunt after she was unable to be cared for in her own home.
My aunt came to think of Margaret House as her home and the staff became family to her.

Reply from Sam Adby, Home Services Manager at Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home

Thank you for taking the time to submit this review, it was our pleasure to look after your aunt and we are so glad that she felt that this was truly her home.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Excellent care home. I chose this for my friend based on its homely 'feel'. It did not feel like an institution, but a warm and caring environment with staff who really take time to get to know and care for residents. My friend has memory issues and is doing very well here. Discerning and inclined to
be critical, she is very positive about living here and has opted to stay. When my time comes, l would feel very fortunate to be in a place like this.

Reply from Sam Adby, Home Services Manager at Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home

We are so glad that your friend has settled happily at Margaret House. Thank you for your positive comments which are appreciated by all the team.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Margaret House is everything and more than I hoped it would be. A delightful home with even more delightful staff.
Living in Australia means that I am reliant on their kindness and generosity to my mother and I couldn't be happier than with their care and consideration. Just brilliant!

Reply from Sam Adby, Home Services Manager at Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home

We are so pleased that you were able to come over to see your mother for her 100th Birthday! Thank you so much for your positive comments they are much appreciated by all the team and it is our absolute pleasure to look after your mother.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My father was at Margaret House for about 6 weeks before he passed away there peacefully. He was treated kindly, with dignity and compassion. He was very happy at Margaret House and all his needs were attended to with utmost care. Dad had dementia and staff were always patient with him. I highly recommend
Margaret House.

Reply from Sam Adby, Home Services Manager at Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home

Your dad was a true gentleman and we are very glad that you felt that he was very happy at Margaret House. Thank you so much for taking the time to submit this review it is much appreciated by all the team.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Being a resident in Margaret House is just like joining the loveliest family you could imagine.

Reply from Sam Adby, Home Services Manager at Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home

Thank you so much for taking the time to submit this review, we are so pleased that you felt part of the Margaret House family, which is exactly what we are aiming for with everyone who lives here or visits.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My father had dementia and was cared for in Philomena House with exceptional kindness and great professionalism right until the end of his life. Margaret House simply has the best staff ever!

Reply from Sam Adby, Home Services Manager at Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home

It was our absolute pleasure to look after your father, thank you for taking the time to submit this review your comments will be much appreciated by all the team.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Carers are friendly, cheerful and kind.

Reply from Sam Adby, Home Services Manager at Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home

Thank you so much for taking the time to send in this review. We are so glad that you have chosen Margaret House as your home we all love having you here, your sense of humour makes us laugh every day!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Nothing is too much trouble. They really try to make you feel comfortable and happy.

Reply from Sam Adby, Home Services Manager at Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home

Thank you so much for taking the time to send in this review. We are all so glad that you have chosen to make Margaret House your new home and love having you here.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The care and support given to my mother who has dementia has always been superb. However, the staff pulled out all the stops in very difficult circumstances recently in order for my mother to see her sister who lives a very long way away. We had two marvellous afternoons in the garden with tea, cakes
and sunshine. My mother was so happy; she sparkled again like her old self. Enormous thanks to all.

Reply from Sam Adby, Home Services Manager at Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home

Thank you for taking the time to submit this review, we are so glad that we were able to make those visits happen - they were very special afternoons!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The team at Margaret House are providing outstanding care for our dad as he fades through dementia and old age. We could not have hoped for a more sympathetic approach with every member of the staff showing that our dad's care and wellbeing is as important to them as it is to us. They have been so understanding
about the needs of the family as well which has helped us through these difficult times. We really feel that Dad is receiving the care that he deserves.

Reply from Sam Adby, Home Services Manager at Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home

Thank you so much for taking the time to submit this review which is much appreciated by all the team. It has been our absolute pleasure to look after your dad.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Mum has been at Margaret House for three and a half months. She settled in quickly and said she feels liberated and in control (compared to her previous care home). All the staff, in whatever capacity, contribute to providing a safe haven, particularly so in the current difficult circumstances. They
are unfailingly friendly, welcoming, calm, and kind. An excellent care home. Thank you to all at Margaret House.

Reply from Sam Adby, Home Services Manager at Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home

Thank you so much for this review, we are very pleased that Mum has settled in so well and is happy here, it is a pleasure to look after her.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I am settling in well at Margaret House. I feel safe and well looked after. All the staff are very helpful and the residents very friendly.

Reply from Sam Adby, Home Services Manager at Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home

We are so pleased that you feel that you are settling in well and making new friends. We are delighted that you have chosen Margaret House as your new home and it is a pleasure to have you here.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 1.0 out of 5

After six weeks I received a phone call telling me my dad had to move out with a week's notice. Clearly, this was against the contract and I threatened to take legal action. They backtracked but it was obvious my dad was not welcome. He has dementia and was obviously taking up too much time. We relocated
and even after they told us this has only ever happened once before it seems this is untrue as his new care home confirmed they have received three other enquiries with residents being asked to leave. It is clear to me that their business model is to ship residents out once they require more care as they have a waiting list. I guess they think it makes good business sense but is very distressing for the individual and the family. Don’t send if your relative has dementia he or she won’t be there for long and you will have to go through the whole process again. They have dementia for heroes award, really!

Reply from Sam Adby, Home Services Manager at Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home

We are very sorry that you feel this way. Unfortunately, as we discussed with you at our weekly meetings, there are rare occasions when we cannot meet an individual person’s needs and have to consider the impact on other residents, to whom we also have a duty of care. We strive to provide a home for life for all our residents, where they feel welcomed and cared for, and truly regret that we were not, on this rare occasion, able to offer this for your Dad.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My 90-year-old father was very content during his 2 years at Margaret House, and I was extremely impressed by the facilities and the excellent staff. As a GP for 20 yrs (elsewhere) I have visited many care homes, but never one as good as Margaret House.
The main house is for more able people. Phylomena
wing is for dementia and there are significant differences in layout between upstairs and downstairs, so do check which is best for you. I think downstairs is best for someone who likes company, as it’s a beautiful light open plan space for living and eating. The manager’s desk is in the same open area, so carers are always around. They are so loving. If Dad wanted breakfast 3 times, he could have it!
There are activities twice most days, and Dad enjoyed scrabble, crafts, playing his keyboard, days out, simple cooking etc. He told me he was with “friends from home”. When his health declined, he was very well cared for. So yes, I certainly recommend it. I would go there myself if I needed to.

Reply from Sam Adby, Home Services Manager at Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home

Thank you so much for providing such a detailed review, your comments are much appreciated and it was a pleasure to look after your father.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

A very happy resident!

Reply from Sam Adby, Home Services Manager at Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home

We are so pleased to hear that you are happy and we love you being here!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Margaret House is a very welcoming place. All the staff are friendly and willing to help whenever needed. They have sought us out to find all the things and activities Mum loves to help her settle in.

Reply from Sam Adby, Home Services Manager at Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home

It is important to us that we do all we can to help people settle in, as we understand what a big move it can be. Your comments are much appreciated and will be shared with the team.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mother has been very happy since she arrived. The kindness and overall care shown by everybody has been wonderful, preserving her dignity and personality. As a family, it was a big decision to re-locate Mum into a care home. It has proved over the months to have been exactly what our mother needed.

Reply from Sam Adby, Home Services Manager at Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home

Thank you so much for taking the time to submit this review, we are so glad that you feel that you made the right choice for Mum and we love having her here.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have been suprised by how satisfactory everything has been. Food and refreshments particularly adequate. Tea and coffee appear regularly, just when you would like them. There's always someone around to help.

Reply from Sam Adby, Home Services Manager at Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home

Thank you so much for taking the time to submit this review and we are very pleased that you have found everything better than you thought it might be. Thank you for choosing to live at Margaret House.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have been very happy. We are very well looked after.

Reply from Sam Adby, Home Services Manager at Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home

Thank you so much for taking the time to fill in this review, we love having you here and we are so pleased that you are happy living here.


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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.861)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.861) out of 10 for Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 12 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 11 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 4.861 for Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home is calculated as follows: ( (131 Excellents x 5) + (7 Goods x 4) + (5 Satisfactorys x 3) + (1 Poors x 2) ) ÷ 144 Ratings = 4.861

  • 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 Margaret House Residential and Dementia Care Home is based on 11 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 43 registered maximum number of service users is 8.6, which has been reached with 11 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: 5 Dec 2017

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.

View Latest Report

Bed Vacancies

Please Contact Us for Latest Vacancies

Awards / Recognitions (27)

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Meet the Team (6)

Gail

Gail Kelly

Job Title: Registered Manager

Joined: 2014

Hi, my name is Gail and I am the Registered Manager


Margaret House has been in my husband's family since 1971 and our ethos has always been that we treat every resident as if they were a beloved member of our own family.


I am proud to be part of the 2nd generation of the Kelly family managing our family run home. I take extremely seriously my responsibility for ensuring that we continue to provide the same care and attention to our residents that we always have in a warm, happy, safe and secure environment.


My team and I are here to answer any initial questions you may have and, should you choose Margaret House as your new home, to support and guide you through every step of the initial move to ensure that you are able to quickly and happily settle in. We are then all here for you and your family at every step in the future.


Jackie

Jackie Pope

Job Title: Registered Manager

Joined: 2023

Jackie has been working in care for over 35 years, starting her career working in the community, before moving to work in Care Homes. Her main priority is to ensure that all residents at Margaret House feel safe and exceptionally well cared for at all times.


Samantha

Samantha Adby

Job Title: Home Services Manager

Joined: 2014

Hi my name is Sam, I am the Home Services Manager and would be your contact for any enquiries you may have about Margaret House.


Having experienced first-hand a relative needing to move into full-time residential care, I understand how difficult the transition can be and am here to support you and your family throughout this time and to provide the information you need to enable you to make an informed decision.


John

John Pope

Job Title: Catering Manager

Joined: 2024

Hi, my name is John and I have over 27 years of experience as a Catering Manager within the hospitality industry and previously ran 3 successful ‘foodie’ pubs. I am responsible for devising a seasonally changing, nutritionally balanced and delicious menu, as well as special meals across the year showcasing different cuisines – such as our ‘Chinese New Year Banquet’, as well as catering for our very popular monthly themed ‘Supper Club’ Together with my team we are happy to provide personalised menus to meet any specific dietary requirements.


Lea-Ann

Lea-Ann Smith

Job Title: Social and Wellbeing Manager

Joined: 2014

Hello, my name is Lea-Ann and I'm the Social and Wellbeing Manager. I absolutely love my job and spend my time getting to know all our residents and planning and delivering a wide range of activities to promote the mental, physical and social well-being of all. But most of all, my team and I are here to ensure that residents continue to do the daily things they get most pleasure from, whether that is spending time 1-2-1 chatting over a cup of tea, helping with some gardening, visiting the local over 60's group, or taking part in a quiz or something else altogether.


I was a Finalist at the 2023 Great British Care Awards, a Finalist for the 2022 Herts Care Providers Care Team of the Year, a Winner of the Apetito Enhancing Health and Wellbeing Awards 2020, a Finalist in the Caring UK Awards 2019 and Winner of the 2018 Compassion in Care Award at the Herts Care Providers Awards


Hazel

Hazel White

Job Title: Housekeeping Manager

Joined: 2014

Hi, my name is Hazel. Together with my team, we ensure that the home is clean and tidy at all times. I have successfully overseen our move to a new environmentally friendly cleaning system, which uses Stabilised Aqueous Ozone (basically water and oxygen) that kills 99.999% of germs without the need for harmful chemicals. As an avid reader, I also run our very popular monthly book club for residents.