The Briars

33 Broadway, Sandown, PO36 9BD
Submit a Review
9.9 46 Reviews
  • The Briars, Sandown
The Briars Care Home is proud to be rated Good overall and Outstanding in Responsive category by the CQC following their inspection in January 2020. The home is one of the best known and most respected care homes for older people on the whole island and the quality of life and happiness of its residents is testimony to the fantastic care that is delivered each and every day by the loving and caring team.

The Briars is located in Sandown, but because of its exceptional reputation residents come from across the island with families considering the additional drive a small price to pay for the superior care available.   

The Briars was a finalist in the highly respected and highly contested British Care Awards and the National Care Awards, (essentially the Oscars of the healthcare industry). The obvious pride in these achievements is shared not just by the residents and staff at the home but by everyone that supports older people across the whole island. The Manager was also presented with the accolade of best "Care Home Manager on the Island" in 2017 which she rightly dedicated to her amazing team and home.

Staff at The Briars perform reminiscence exercises with the residents, so that they can understand people’s life stories and collate information about what is important to them.

With excellent food, exceptional activities and a lovely team of dedicated staff anybody considering care for themselves or for a loved should come and see us and find out what makes the Briars the best care home on the Isle of Wight.

Show The Briars on the Map

Care Provided by The Briars

  • Primary Care Categories
  • Dementia
  • Mental Health Condition
  • Older Person Care
  • Physical Disability
  • Respite Care
  • Sensory Impairment
  • Care Types Provided
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 38 Service Users
  • Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned
  • Care Offered
  • Alzheimer's
  • Bipolar/Manic Depression
  • Cancer Care
  • Challenging Behaviour/Psychosis
  • Epilepsy
  • Head/Brain Injury
  • Hearing Impairment
  • Motor Neurone Disease
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Speech Impairment
  • Stroke
  • Visual Impairment
  • Other Care Provided
  • Day Care
  • Own GP if required
  • Palliative Care

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Lesley Shaw (Home Manager)
  • Admission Criteria
    • Ages 65+
  • Room Information
    • Single Rooms (38)
    • Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (12)
  • Care Home Design/Build
    • Purpose Built: No
    • Last Refurbishment: 2012

Funding & Fees Guide for The Briars

  • 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 £1,157 – £1,700
    • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care £1,157 – £1,700
    • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care £1,157 – £1,700
    • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care £1,157 – £1,700

  • Last updated March 2024.


    Exact fees depend on the specific care requirements of each individual following assessment.
  • (these prices are only a guideline, please contact The Briars to find out the exact price for your requirements)

Facilities

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

  • There are no restrictions on visiting Loved Ones. The Briars is the resident's home and therefore visitors are welcome anytime.


  • Parking

  • Like most other facilities on the Isle of Wight, The Briars Care Home does not have large parking availability. Some time ago the home took a decision, for the benefit of its resident, to convert previously allocated car parking space into a lovely communal outdoor facility for the residents to enjoy. Residents, families and visitors are unanimous in supporting this decision and the benefits of it are evident every day in the resident's wellbeing and happiness. This part of the reason the home achieved Outstanding at the last CQC inspection.


    Visitors are therefore advised to make use of the plentiful on-road car parking space that is available around the home.


The Briars Reviews (46)

Total of 46, showing 41-46
9.9

The Briars has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.930) out of 10, based on 12 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time The Briars has 46 reviews.

Overall Experience

  • 30
  • 15
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0

Date Published

46
1
6
12
34

Review from Lesley F (Daughter of Resident) published on 20 June 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

After an unexpected trip to A&E, the staff from The Briars drove to the hospital to find my mother and stay with her. He and the team then arranged for her transfer to The Briars. I felt overwhelmed by the caring attitude given to mum and also me as at the time I was 100 miles away and helpless to do
anything. What superb service. A very caring place, everyone had a smile and nothing is too much trouble.

Reply from Ian Leitch, Home Manager at The Briars

Thank you very much for your kind review. It was nothing more than a pleasure to help 'Mum' out on such a difficult day for her. It was simply a common sense response that we would look to afford for anyone in such a situation. Ian Leitch - Home Manager.


Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Bernard J (Friend of Resident) published on 12 December 2017
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I find the home friendly, caring and very professional, also it's a pleasure to visit.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from I L (Son of Resident) published on 22 September 2017
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Since my father has been in The Briars approximately 6 weeks he has settled in very well. He has been assessed for his mental capability by the psychiatrist. We have noticed a marked improvement in his mental awareness since he has been in the home.
The management and staff have been very friendly
and supportive to both dad and our family. My father seems to have got a bond with them especially the chef and seems very happy and settled.

Reply from Nicky Shepherd, Home Manager at The Briars

I'm really glad your dad has settled so well into life at The Briars and we are always here and happy to help.


Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Phyllis C (Wife of Resident) published on 12 September 2017
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My husband has been a permanent resident at The Briars for almost three years.
The care is excellent, it is a bright, cheerful place, with a lovely garden.
The staff are always so kind and caring.
The home has won awards for outstanding care.
My husband went for two days a week day care for a long
time before becoming a permanent resident.
There are lots of activities and special games and books for dementia.
They really care there.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from M C (Wife of Resident) published on 14 August 2017
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My honest information.
Already seen a great difference in staff and patients.
So you have made a good choice in your new appointed lady.

Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Review from Rachel (Resident) published on 19 May 2017
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My father moved into The Briars on 1st May 2017 and from the first moment, he was made to feel very welcome. Many members of staff came to his room to say "hello" and introduce themselves, all using dad's first name and showing great kindness and a very genuine caring attitude. Due to his dementia,
this was a very difficult and emotional time for dad, myself and our family as a whole.
From the moment of my first contact with The Briars to enquire about the availability of a room, through the assessment process and first visit to the home and carers, managers, cooks etc have shown great compassion and understanding about how hard it is when a relative has to move into a care home which has really helped us to deal with the difficult early days of the transition. Thank you very much.

Reply from Nicky Shepherd, Home manager at The Briars

Dear Rachel, thank you for your wonderful review. At The Briars we always strive to welcome new residents and make the process of coming into care comfortable and stress-free for all concerned and I am pleased we have been able to support you and your family through this time, and your dad has settled so well.


Facilities

Care / Support

Cleanliness

Treated with Dignity

Food & Drink

Staff

Activities

Management

Safety / Security

Rooms

Value for Money

Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.930)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.930) out of 10 for The Briars 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 12 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 4.930 for The Briars is calculated as follows: ( (132 Excellents x 5) + (10 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 142 Ratings = 4.93

  • 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 Briars is based on 12 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 38 registered maximum number of service users is 7.6, which has been reached with 12 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: 19 Mar 2020

Overall
Good

  • Caring

    Good

  • Effective

    Good

  • Responsive

    Outstanding

  • 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 (18)

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading events

Meet the Team (7)

Lesley

Lesley Shaw

Job Title: Home Manager

Joined: 2019

Hello, my name is Lesley Shaw and I am proud to be the manager of The Briars.


We are based in the seaside town of Sandown on the Isle of Wight. The Briars is a specialised dementia home where the residents always come first. Our aim is to provide high quality care, in a safe and friendly environment, which respects the rights, dignity and privacy for all who live here.


Being a specialised dementia home my staff are highly qualified and dedicated ensuring everyone can live their life to the fullest. It is a privilege to be part of the team. I am a qualified, experienced manager, I believe in openness and transparency and always have time for a cup of tea and a chat. At The Briars we have strong links to our local community and always welcome new friends.


Kim

Kim Mears

Job Title: Family Liaison Manager

Joined: 2018

My role at The Briars is to offer support and advice to families who are looking for care for their loved ones. There is no greater reward for me than helping people on this journey into finding the right home. Away from work, I love to spend time with my family and friends.


Cath

Cath

Job Title: Care Supervisor

Joined: 2015

I have worked in care for 30 years in a variety of settings and positions. I joined the team at the Briars in December 2015. Supporting and caring for residents living with dementia is an integral part of my role that I find full-filling and each day brings new experiences.


Chloe

Chloe

Job Title: Senior Carer

Joined: 2015

I joined The Briars 5 years ago as a Care Assistant and have now progressed to a Senior Carer. My residents here are very important to me and I will always take time out of my shift to chat to them and check they are doing OK. Outside of work, I love spending time with my family and paddleboarding, weather permitting.


Carol

Carol

Job Title: Administrator

Joined: 2017

I feel very privileged to work at The Briars, the staff and residents are what make the home such a nice place to be. I enjoy my job knowing that the job I do makes a difference to the team and residents. Out of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and walking my three terrier style dogs.


Ava-Marie

Ava-Marie

Job Title: Head Chef

Joined: 2016

I have worked in the catering sector of residential care for just over 10 years. I have previously worked as a Cook in holiday camps and public houses. I enjoy spending time with the residents and finding out about their likes and dislikes in terms of food. In my private time, I enjoy kayaking, swimming and spending time with my family.


Tony

Tony

Job Title: Head of Maintenance

Joined: 2012

I enjoy my role as no two days are the same, for example, one day I could be changing fire doors, the next making a wooden birthday cake! In my spare time, I like to go kayaking with my sons and dog in tow! We enjoy exploring the Isle of Wight with plenty of walks and trips to the beach.