St Marys

Woodlands Road, Holbrook, Ipswich IP9 2PS
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9.7 142 Reviews
  • St Marys, Ipswich
St Marys, in Ipswich, is a purpose-built facility supporting up to 60 older people to live a comfortable lifestyle, as well as offering dementia care. It is located in an idyllic peninsula setting in the village of Holbrook.

The home continues to welcome new residents for a range of residential care services, including convalescence care, respite care, trial stays, and long term care for those who can no longer look after themselves.

The St Marys care team gets to know their customers and works with them to organise wellness activities which match individual and group interests, both in the care home and the local community. Each customer’s individual needs are regularly assessed to ensure their care plans meet their lifestyle requirements. Meals are cooked fresh and from locally-sourced and seasonal ingredients where possible by a highly trained catering team.

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.

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Care Provided by St Marys

  • Primary Care Categories
  • Dementia
  • Older Person Care
  • Respite Care
  • Care Types Provided
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 60 Service Users
  • Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned
  • Care Offered
  • Alzheimer's
  • Other Care Provided
  • Convalescent Care
  • Own GP if required

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Anna Dabrowska (Manager)
  • Admission Criteria
    • Please contact St Marys directly to discuss yours or your loved ones' care needs.
    • Ages 65+
  • Room Information
    • Single Rooms (60)
    • Couples/Companion Rooms (0)
    • Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (59)
  • Care Home Design/Build
    • Purpose Built: Yes

Funding & Fees Guide for St Marys

  • 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 £1,255
    • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care from £1,255
    • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care from £1,255
    • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care from £1,255

  • Our colleagues at St Marys 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 St Marys to find out the exact price for your requirements)

Facilities

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

  • Visitors are welcome at St Marys.


  • Parking

  • Onsite parking is available, including disabled spaces.


St Marys Reviews (142)

Total of 142, showing 1-20
9.7

St Marys has a Review Score of 9.7 (9.725) out of 10, based on 34 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time St Marys has 142 reviews.

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Review from J L (Wife of Resident) published on 19 March 2025
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

You can't imagine the burden that has been lifted during the 4 months my husband has been with you... He seems to react far better with the female staff than he did with me! So it is a relief that they can manage him.
I know the carers are paid to do their job but they often go the extra mile. May
I add that the Chrismas dinner was exemplary and was lucky to have been included. I believe in giving praise where praise is due.
This is a good example of the dependability of the staff: One day, after I'd sped to inform the team that a resident was lying on the floor in my husbands lavatory it was action station! They coped admirably, thanked profoundly afterwards. May there be continuing reassureane like this for the residents and their relatives.

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Review from M C (Friend of Resident) published on 4 March 2025
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Every time I visit the care home. All staff and residents are very happy and helpful. There are lots of activities to take part in if the residents so wish. They have hairdressers and foot people that come to the home regularly. All in all, my experience is excellent.

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Review from A W (Wife of Resident) published on 30 December 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Since my husband moved to St Marys (one week) the staff have been incredibly caring, kind and the communication is excellent. I feel they know my husband and how best to support him. They are also very helpful and supportive to me.

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Review from C W (Daughter of Resident) published on 10 December 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

St Mary's staff are so kind and supportive and regularly walk the extra mile for the residents.
The home is clean and well designed with several little snugs to make it more homely. There are regular activities, sing songs, quizzes, flower arranging and seasonal activities.
The food is excellent.
Our mum has been at St Mary's for 4 years and we're really pleased and relieved that she's there.
Thank you to all the staff.

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Review from C Z (Niece of Resident) published on 25 October 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Wonderful care, setting our minds at ease since we (brother and two nieces of resident) are not able to visit often (we live abroad). Staff and management are very supportive and caring. We appreciate the high staff-resident ratio, allowing for personalised care and frequent interaction with residents.
Very satisfied overall.

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Review from S C (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 11 October 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Lovely welcoming atmosphere. The staff are so friendly and good home cooked food. Clean and nothing too much trouble.

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Review from Derrick R (Resident) assisted by family/friend published on 16 September 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Very satisfied with the care home. The staff are friendly and very caring.

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Review from Steven G (Son of Resident) published on 12 September 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Beach party on the 23rd of August 2024 at St Marys. What a wonderful day, Dad and friends really enjoyed themselves. All staff were welcoming and included all residents who all liked they were having fun. As a family we had all age groups with us, it was lovely to see Dad enjoying himself, dancing,
listening to music and good food. Thank you all at St Marys, a truly lovely day.

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Review from Sharon P (Daughter of Resident) published on 9 September 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We went to St Mary's garden party. What a wonderful day, the residents were so happy, with great music and food. Residents up and dancing. So lovely to see my dad dancing and smiling. The staff were amazing and so helpful and welcoming. This is by far the most amazing home. Dad has made a best friend
there. He feels safe and so happy he is always saying how he likes living there. Well done St Mary's.

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Review from Chris H (Friend of Resident) published on 29 August 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My 96-year-old friend was admitted to St Marys at short notice from the hospital. At this stressful time, all the staff acted quickly to make my friend comfortable. With incredible humanity, professionalism, support and kindness, they all rallied around my friend to settle her in. It was a humbling
experience to see first-hand the compassion and love they showed my friend. Throughout my friend's respite care, every single member of staff, without exception has shown devotion, interest and support towards her. It's been a privilege for me to witness the dedicated team effort applied to my friend's well-being, peace of mind, security, and personal dignity by everyone at St Marys. From the manager downwards, everyone here deserves a gold medal.

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Review from M B (Niece of Resident) published on 5 August 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My aunt was in St Marys Care Home for the last 3 years of her life. During that time I was very pleased with the care she received.
The regular staff understood her communication problems following her initial stroke and took time to find out what she wanted. The staff were friendly and supportive
to me and I always felt welcome when I visited. She was treated with dignity at the end of her life as were her relatives. I would recommend St Marys to others.

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Review from Adrian G (Son of Resident) published on 17 July 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Always a pleasure to visit Mum at St Marys. She is well looked after and cared for. We are always informed fo any issues or concerns. Great staff all round.

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Review from B W (Resident) assisted by family/friend published on 12 July 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

The staff are really helpful and I am pleased they have helped me by putting pictures up on my wall. They help me to enjoy activities, especially playing the piano and gardening. All the staff are really nice and friendly.

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Review from Mary D (Resident) published on 11 June 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Very homely and good food, safe and happy.

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Review from Sarah M (Daughter of Resident) published on 15 April 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Having made the difficult decision to place my father in a care home, we chose St Marys after visiting several in the area.
It has a welcoming and homely environment. Everyone we had contact with was friendly and helpful and seemed to enjoy their working environment.
The other residents seemed happy
and well cared for. Unfortunately, my father required end-of-life care but this was done with kindness and dignity. There was good communication between the home and the local GP surgery throughout.
I would recommend this home from my recent experiences.

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Review from J S (Daughter of Resident) published on 29 January 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My mother spent two weeks at St Marys for respite care. She had a lovely, bright room which was clean and well appointed. She was made to feel very welcome by all the staff and thrived during her stay. There were lots of activities which she participated in and enjoyed. She seemed very happy with everything,
and we are considering making St Marys her permanent home. St Marys is well managed, with staff always around to answer any queries, and they seem to generally care for their residents. St Marys has a very pleasant atmosphere, not to mention a resident cat, and I would be very happy to leave my mother there in the future.

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Review from Martin P (Son of Resident) published on 18 January 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My father was a resident at St Mary's from May 2022 through to December 2023, firstly in the care home and latterly in the Dementia unit.
I must say that throughout his stay he was extremely well cared for and was very happy to be living at St Mary's.
The staff are first class. Always attentive and
alive to his needs. Communication between our family and the home was always good, and we were always alerted to changes in Dad's health and well-being.
From all the photos of Dad hanging on the walls, it was clear that he was included in the numerous events and activities that were arranged by the home.
The home was always clean and well-presented, and Dad's room was always clean and tidy.
I cannot praise St Mary's enough.

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Review from Jan B (Daughter of Resident) published on 30 November 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Staff are all really caring and helpful. They are happy and always have a kind word to say. The food is good and the entertainment is there if you want it. The resident cat Amber is a welcome addition. Well done everyone.

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Review from C S (Granddaughter of Resident) published on 30 November 2023
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

St Marys is an excellent care home.
You can tell that staff really care for the residents.
Management always ensure that there are plenty of activities and engagement, as well as opening the home for events for families to enjoy.
I am so pleased that my nan is being cared for at St Marys.

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Review from Ruth B (Daughter of Resident) published on 29 November 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Just wanted to say how lovely it was to walk in this week and catch the singers in the act of entertaining everyone. I was able to sit with Mum (and Amber the cat) and listen for over half an hour to a wonderful collection of songs. Mum really appreciated what had been chosen and found herself singing
along to a few of them - which was lovely. Thank you to all the staff for their caring attitude towards Mum and to others in the home. It is really difficult to go on being professional to older folk who have their off days and can come out with some quite grumpy and ungrateful comments at times. I truly appreciate your positive vibes towards everyone - you are all angels!

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Current Review Score: 9.7 (9.725)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.7 (9.725) out of 10 for St Marys 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 34 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 34 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 4.725 for St Marys is calculated as follows: ( (293 Excellents x 5) + (99 Goods x 4) + (5 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 397 Ratings = 4.725

  • 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 St Marys is based on 34 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 60 registered maximum number of service users is 12, which has been reached with 34 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: 6 Dec 2023

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

3 Bed Vacancies

posted 03 Mar 2025

We currently have three vacancies for care. Please contact St Marys for further details.


Awards / Recognitions (2)

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Frequently Asked Questions about St Marys

What types of Care is St Marys 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 St Marys provide?

Convalescent Care & Own GP if required are other types of care provided.

How many Rooms does St Marys have?

There are 60 Single Rooms.

What are the Facilities & Services at St Marys?

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 St Marys to the centre of Ipswich?

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