The Firs

186 Grange Road, Felixstowe IP11 2QF
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9.8 130 Reviews
  • The Firs, Felixstowe
Anchor’s The Firs in Felixstowe is a purpose-built care home, providing quality care and facilities within a comfortable and relaxing environment. The home continues to welcome new residents and it is set in its own gardens for customers and their families to enjoy.

The home provides residential care which is personally tailored to meet the individual needs of customers and enhance their quality of life. The care team works with customers and their loved ones to create detailed care plans to ensure each individual’s health and care needs are continually met.

Anchor offers dementia care and provides on-going training for staff to ensure their approach always reflects best practice.

Anchor is England’s largest provider of housing and care for those over 55 years of age and has 60 years of experience as a not-for-profit provider of services to older people. Anchor reinvests the money made into their retirement properties and care homes, to continually raise standards to provide a high-quality service to surpass the customer’s expectations.

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Care Provided by The Firs

  • Primary Care Categories
  • Dementia
  • Older Person Care
  • Respite Care
  • Care Types Provided
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 40 Service Users
  • Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned
  • Care Offered
  • Alzheimer's
  • Other Care Provided
  • Own GP if required

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Colleen Farrow (Manager)
  • Admission Criteria
    • Please contact The Firs directly to discuss yours or your loved ones' care needs.
    • Ages 65+
  • Room Information
    • Single Rooms (40)
    • Couples/Companion Rooms (0)
    • Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (40)
  • Care Home Design/Build
    • Purpose Built: Yes
    • Last Refurbishment: 2006

Funding & Fees Guide for The Firs

  • 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 from £1,466
    • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care from £1,466
    • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care from £1,466
    • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care from £1,466

  • Our colleagues at The Firs will be happy to answer any questions you have regarding our fees and what is included in our fees.
  • (these prices are only a guideline, please contact The Firs to find out the exact price for your requirements)

Facilities

  • Close to Local shops
  • Gardens
  • Lift
  • Near Public Transport
  • Own Furniture if required
  • Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
  • Phone Point in own room
  • Residents Kitchenette
  • Television point in own room
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Visiting

  • Visitors are welcome at The Firs.


  • Parking

  • Onsite parking is available, including disabled spaces.


The Firs Reviews (130)

Total of 130, showing 1-20
9.8

The Firs has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.816) out of 10, based on 39 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time The Firs has 130 reviews.

Overall Experience

  • 90
  • 37
  • 2
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Date Published

130
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24
39
91

Review from G O (Son of Resident) published on 21 March 2025
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Since my mother has been staying at The Firs she is a lot happier. Her appetite has increased immensely. Our family have found the management and staff to be extremely polite and very helpful. The Firs we all found to be very clean and decorated very tastefully.

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Review from J C (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 14 March 2025
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Having been Dads main carer it as a really big deal to put him into care, but I'm so happy with the care he receives and knowing his safe makes such a difference. All staff seem so kind and friendly and really like that their are so many activities, if he choose to take part.

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Review from Debra L (Daughter of Resident) published on 26 February 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Wonderful staff - this was the perfect place for our dad. Friendly and welcoming - staff always willing to help with any request. Dad was well looked after and comfortable. Highly recommended. Thank you all.

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Review from Joy B (Daughter of Resident) published on 19 February 2025
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Since the day my mum came into The Firs, I have nothing but praise for the staff and the quality of care provided. If I have any concerns, the staff, particularly the senior staff, are very happy to listen and respond appropriately.

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Review from Wendy A (Daughter of Resident) published on 14 February 2025
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mother is always well cared for by the lovely carers at The Firs. They always treat her with respect and talk to her in a kind and friendly manner. They are aware that she likes to be among other residents and she spends most of her time in the day room which she enjoys. During her recent trip to
hospital they kept me fully informed and rang me daily to ask about her progress. They were as keen as I was for her to return to The Firs as soon as she was well enough.

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Review from L S (Daughter of Resident) published on 12 November 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Excellent care of my mother, knowing she's safe and well!

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Review from A V (Son-in-law of Resident) published on 11 November 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

The staff and carers are always very friendly and caring. My father-in-law always looks clean and well cared for.

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Review from E W (Granddaughter of Resident) published on 11 November 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The home is very welcoming and homely. It is always a lovely atmosphere. The carers are always ever so friendly and they look after pops really well. I would say they act and seem more like family than carers. Thank you.

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Review from B S (Husband of Resident) published on 11 November 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My initial worries and concerns about my wife passing from care into your care have completely gone, thank you so much.

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Review from J V (Daughter of Resident) published on 11 November 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff are always very friendly and whenever I ask about my dad they always have a lot of knowledge about him. I feel he is being well looked after and that he is safe.

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Review from B M (Sister-in-law of Resident) published on 15 August 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We attended the BBQ at The Firs with other members of our family to see our sister. It was an amazing day, the staff were great and the food was exceptional. Our sister had a great time as did all the residents dancing to a great singer. We are very proud of the manager and all her staff. The Firs is
a great care home.

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Review from T D (Son of Resident) published on 14 August 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My mum always enjoys the entertainment at The Firs, staff are always friendly.
Gardens and new entrance look lovely more open and the residents love to take part feeding the birds and helping in the garden.

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Review from J W (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 14 August 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Very welcoming when you visit, lots of entertainment for residents and families to join in with.
Recently attended a well organised BBQ with resident and families, great music, dancing and food. Staff making sure everyone is having fun and included.

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Review from T D (Granddaughter of Resident) published on 14 August 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Lively atmosphere, my nan attends lots of activities which she enjoys.

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Review from B M (Brother of Resident) published on 29 July 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Very caring home. I have visited my sister several times over 3 years. I found the staff very friendly and very good at their jobs. The home is very clean and the residents are very happy with loads of activities. I would highly recommend this care home.

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Review from C S (Sister of Resident) published on 26 July 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Spent an amazing day at the BBQ with the residents. It was an absolutely wonderful day. The manager was on hand at all times to help out first class. Great experience to enjoy my day with family there and to see how happy my sister is, happy and content there. She is so well looked after as are all
of the other residents.

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Review from P N (Sister of Resident) published on 26 July 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I had the most wonderful day. I enjoyed all aspects of my day. Looking forward to the next visit.

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Review from C O (Relative of Resident) published on 24 July 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My step dad needed his mum closer to him and The Firs made this happen from nearly 200 miles away. Whenever I visited my step grandmother she was happy and well cared for. The staff are always friendly and management have done an amazing job.

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Review from S O (Relative of Resident) published on 24 July 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The Firs has shown so much care and attention to my relative. The staff are fantastic from management to the housekeepers. The Firs has a homely feel and is clean.

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Review from Iain I (Son of Resident) published on 24 July 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

When seeking a care home for my mother, my wife and I visited The Firs and were immediately struck by the feeling of openness, cleanliness and warmth of the staff, and were so pleased when a room became available.
Mum quickly settled becoming comfortable with her new surroundings, interacting well
with staff and enjoying her food. Mum fell ill after five weeks, was hospitalised and was soon placed on 'end-of-life' care and returned to The Firs, ostensibly to die. Mum has since made a quite remarkable recovery, due in no small measure to the care she has received from the wonderful caring staff.
The Firs is well run, the staff are professional, warm, friendly, understanding and go about their duties with a smile. They listen and also seek your advice and keep you appraised of any concerns.
We, as a family, are greatly reassured and very happy Mum is in such good hands.

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Current Review Score: 9.8 (9.816)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.8 (9.816) out of 10 for The Firs is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.8 out of 5 from 39 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 39 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 4.816 for The Firs is calculated as follows: ( (382 Excellents x 5) + (74 Goods x 4) + (4 Satisfactorys x 3) + (1 Poors x 2) ) ÷ 461 Ratings = 4.816

  • 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 Firs is based on 39 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 40 registered maximum number of service users is 8, which has been reached with 39 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: 16 Dec 2022

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

2 Bed Vacancies

posted 03 Mar 2025

We currently have two vacancies for care. Please contact The Firs directly for further details.


Awards / Recognitions (10)

Top 20 Large Care Home Groups 2025

Recipient: Anchor

Date: Friday 31 Jan 2025 More details

Top 20 Large Care Home Groups 2024

Recipient: Anchor

Date: Wednesday 31 Jan 2024 More details

Top 20 Large Care Home Groups 2023

Recipient: Anchor

Date: Tuesday 28 Feb 2023 More details

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Frequently Asked Questions about The Firs

What types of Care is The Firs registered for?

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

What additional types of Care does The Firs provide?

Own GP if required is an additional type of care provided.

How many Rooms does The Firs have?

There are 40 Single Rooms.

What are the Facilities & Services at The Firs?

Own Furniture if required, Pet Friendly (or by arrangement), Close to Local shops, Near Public Transport, Lift, Wheelchair Access, Gardens, Residents Kitchenette, Phone Point in own room & Television point in own room are some of the Facilities & Services.

How far is The Firs to the centre of Felixstowe?

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