Brookside

Ruskin Avenue, Melksham SN12 7NG
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9.9 63 Reviews
  • Brookside, Melksham
Brookside is an established care home in Melksham and has been serving the local and wider Wiltshire community for over 40 years. It offers compassionate, individualised residential care for up to 50 residents, and has been awarded an overall 'Outstanding' rating in its latest CQC inspection in November 2016.

Set in its own attractive and accessible grounds which includes a patio, summerhouse, greenhouse and an attractive enclosed garden to the rear, the home is situated in a quiet residential area, a short walk from Melksham town centre.

Activities and wellbeing

The dedicated Activities Coordinator is there to make life as stimulating and varied as possible with activities, including visits to the local garden centre, games and quiz evenings, external entertainment, pamper sessions and talks and performances from local school children.

With so many well-being activities for body and mind, they also recognise that everyone needs some time to honour their spirit with relaxation and mindfulness for personal reflection. There are various lounges and comfortable seating areas around the home for you to relax quietly in.

The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT) operates 71 homes and 14 extra care housing schemes across Lincolnshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, West Sussex and Suffolk. OSJCT’s broad range of services includes dementia, intermediate, respite and day care, and specialised nursing.

Their ethos of care, which underpins all their activities, is based on their belief that all individuals living in their homes, should be given care that meets their individual needs. They also believe that residents and day care visitors should enjoy life in an atmosphere of warmth, harmony and understanding, being cared for by people who appreciate their need for privacy and who will respect their dignity and freedom of choice.

Care Provided by Brookside

  • Primary Care Categories
  • Dementia
  • Older Person Care
  • Respite Care
  • Care Types Provided
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 50 Service Users
  • Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned
  • Other Care Provided
  • Day Care
  • Own GP if required

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Dawn Wallburton (Home Manager)
  • Admission Criteria
    • Ages 65+
  • Room Information
    • Single Rooms (50)
  • Care Home Design/Build
    • Purpose Built: Yes

Funding & Fees Guide for Brookside

  • 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 £1,365 – £1,435
    • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care £1,505 – £1,575
    • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care £1,500 – £1,625
    • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care £1,660 – £1,730
  • Your fees cover several areas while in their care.
    These services are: Personal care, accommodation,
    utilities, use of communal areas, meals, drinks and
    snacks, laundry (excluding dry cleaning),
    housekeeping, maintenance and activities run by the
    home.


    Services NOT included in price are: dentistry, chiropody,
    physiotherapy, occupational therapy, opticians, hairdressing,
    medications, toiletries, clothing, newspapers/magazines.
    During your stay, you may need to purchase additional goods
    and services. If they are able to provide such goods and
    services, they will tell you how much these goods and services
    will cost and they expect that you will pay for these goods and
    services at the time you request them.
    They can accompany loved ones to private appointments,
    however the fee attached to this is £21 per hour. Where private taxi
    services are used for transportation to appointments the cost should
    be paid for by yourself.


  • (these prices are only a guideline, please contact Brookside 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)
  • Residents Internet Access
  • Television point in own room
  • Wheelchair Access
Total of 63, showing 41-60
9.9

Brookside has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.916) out of 10, based on 26 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Brookside has 63 reviews.

Overall Experience

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My uncle seems very happy here, the staff are all lovely.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff are always happy and cheerful, this I believe is a positive help to the residents and also very calming to them.
I have always found the staff treat all the residents with dignity and kindness. There are numerous activities to do including a lovely garden to sit in or help maintain if you
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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Love it here, everyone is so kind. we go out on trips, we sing and we dance. I love life here.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

It is a very happy crowd, always willing to help.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Always found this carer consistent within her role. Extremely efficient and acts quickly and appropriately to any issues raised by me in relation to my Mum. This has been particularly evident in regard to Mum's physical and mental welfare. Thank you.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Very good care home, always a lot going on to keep the residents busy and happy. The staff are great with the residents and you know they are being very well cared for.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Very impresses with caring staff and standard of entertainment provided.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mother was in Brookside from 1994 to 1996. My sister when she couldn't cope anymore decided to come here.
She is settled and happy here.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

I am very happy with the care my mum receives in Brookside. The staff are all very caring, patient and helpful. There are plenty of organised activities for the residents to join in and it is nice to see the weekly timetable with all the various activities and trips.
The home has recently undergone
some refurbishment which has brought it more up to date. Overall I am very satisfied.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The quality of care at Brookside is first class. Nothing is too much trouble and they are always trying new ways to engage the residents in activities and social outings.
The new decor and furnishings make the place look homely and welcoming. I can't praise the manager and staff highly enough for their
efforts.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I enjoy visiting my husband. I visit several times each week and I am always made very welcome. The staff are very helpful and caring.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

To all the care staff, thank you so much for your fantastic care of Mum for the last eight years. We have nothing but praise for you all. I'll miss my visits to Brookside and seeing you all.
With best wishes to you all.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

I take a small team into Brookside to lead monthly services of worship for residents and visitors. We are always warmly received by our liaison manager and other staff and can see that the residents are looked after with care. The provision of food and recreation activities is excellent and the main
foyer and lounge where we operate are always kept clean and tidy.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

The staff are very good and I cannot fault them in any way.


I feel the staff are my friends.


I don't need much care but I see others being helped whenever they need it.


We do try lots of different activities and we get taken out.


One of the best places.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

A very friendly home, staff and management always approachable and helpful. Residents seem to be well catered for and plenty of activities throughout the week. Clean and tidy throughout. Love attending their themed events, always brings a smile to residents faces.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mother took up residence at Brookside in Jan 2014 and died there in March 2016. During that time she was cared for by dedicated and caring staff who we cannot praise highly enough. We saw the care and attention that she received and the genuine concern when she became terminally ill. Knowing how
well she was cared for has made her passing that much easier for the family.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Brookside is very open, lovely in the garden when the weather is nice. The staff are excellent - they are very caring, gentle and anticipate the residents needs. It is important that they are looked after by their employees to keep them here as this is the nucleus of Brookside.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

A lovely home, very welcoming and caring, all the staff very happy and always willing to help. Can not fault them at all, would gladly go back again for respite care. I always felt safe and very well cared for.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mum has been in Brookside twice for respite, she absolutely loves it. At home she is so lonely she has dementia and won't watch telly, at Brookside she is a different person she is happy and entertained, she loves the company and the food, at home she has micro meals because she can no longer cook.
She loves playing skittles and other entertainment, she thinks she is on holiday, excellent place.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My sister entered Brookside in December 2014 and remained there until she died on 25th July 2015. She was extremely happy to be cared for and found the staff extremely kind and caring. She enjoyed many of the activities provided as well as the meals. Being of a general nervous nature she felt safe and
secure at the home and never complained.

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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.916)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.916) out of 10 for Brookside 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 26 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 26 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 4.916 for Brookside is calculated as follows: ( (285 Excellents x 5) + (22 Goods x 4) + (2 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 309 Ratings = 4.916

  • 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 Brookside is based on 26 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 50 registered maximum number of service users is 10, which has been reached with 26 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: 15 Oct 2019

Overall
Good

  • Caring

    Outstanding
  • 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 (8)

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Meet the Team (9)

Dawn

Dawn Wallburton

Job Title: Home Manager

Home Manager, Dawn Wallburton, started her care career in 1988, working as a care assistant in the privately owned Shaw House in Melksham. When the owner closed the home in 2000 she joined the Miles Care agency in Melksham as a Carer. This career move fitted Dawn very well, as she was now also raising her young family. During the next two years whilst working for the agency, she worked in many care homes around Wiltshire.


Dawn returned to full time care work in 2002 by joining the disability nursing home, Cote House, in Chippenham. In 2005, she completed her City and Guilds NVQ Level 3 in Care. As she wished to continue learning and improving her care knowledge, Dawn was employed by the care company Community Access Network, as a Senior Support Worker. This was a new challenge for Dawn, as the job involved caring for and promoting independent living. 


Dawn has held various roles with the Trust, most recently Home Manager at Seymour House in Chippenham, before moving to Brookside in the summer of 2021.


Victoria

Victoria Hawkes

Job Title: Head of Care

Victoria Hawkes has been with the Trust for nearly ten years, she started as a Carer and worked her way up to Head of Care at Brookside. She has worked in three homes, and they have all left their mark on her as a person. She very much enjoyed and learned from her role as End-of-life Lead and Medication Lead, which she said also helped her in her personal life.


Vicky has accomplished her Level 2 and 3 in Health and Social Care and she is now working towards her Level 4. Vicky said: “I enjoy meeting new people and supporting our residents in their time of need. Brookside for me is not just a place of work as we are all a family here.”


Maria

Maria Goddard

Job Title: Night Care Lead

Joined: 2008

Maria has been in the care industry for 14 years and have worked at Brookside for 13 of them. She started work in Brookside in 2008 and has been a Night Care Lead since 2014.


Dawn

Dawn Whiffen

Job Title: Care Leader

Joined: 2017

Dawn Whiffen has worked in care for the past 25 years. She has had a variety of different jobs in the care sector, ranging from domiciliary care to a rehabilitation team member working alongside physiotherapists and occupational therapists. In this time, she has achieved NVQ 2 and NVQ 3 in Health and Social Care.


Dawn started her Brookside journey in 2017 as a Carer and, has recently worked her way up to Care Leader. Dawn said: “I was fortunate to be nominated for Carer of the Year 2021 and I was very lucky to have been presented with this Award, which I am very grateful for.”


Jessica

Jessica Ryall

Job Title: Activities Co-ordinator

Joined: 2022

Jessica has been working with the Trust since the Autumn of 2022 and before this was a volunteer activities assistant at another OSJCT home. She works with the rest of the Activities team to provide group and individual activities for all residents to enjoy. Jessica said that the best thing about being an Activities Co-ordinator at Brookside is making connections with the residents and getting to know everyone individually.


Meghan

Meghan Hooper

Job Title: Care Leader

Joined: 2023

Meghan Hooper has worked in the care industry for over 5 years starting out as a Care Assistant working up to a Senior Care Assistant and then as a Senior Nursing assistant in a hospital setting.


She began her Care Leader journey in the Trust in April 2023 and will be undertaking her NVQ 3 in Health and Social Care to continue her Care Lead progress.


Sally

Sally Taylor

Job Title: Activities Co-ordinator

Joined: 2023

Sally joined the team at Brookside in February 2023. She has had a varied career, mainly in Customer Service roles.


She worked as a carer in the community a few years ago and loved the opportunity to help keep the elderly and vulnerable living independent lives in their own homes.


Sally thoroughly enjoys interacting with our residents and coming up with new activities to keep them entertained and individually challenged.


Tiffany

Tiffany Hazell

Job Title: Night Care Leader

Joined: 2023

Tiffany joined Brookside in July 2023. Tiffany has had a long career within the care sector, from working in healthcare recruitment to supporting adults with learning disabilities/complex care and working as a senior member of the team in residential homes.


Tiffany believes Brookside is a rewarding place to work by being part of a fantastic team that delivers person-centred care to all the residents. Tiffany enjoys being able to speak to the residents to find out more about them and their lives and finds it a privilege to be able to assist them through their next stages of life.


Beatrice

Beatrice Boakye

Job Title: Care Leader

Joined: 2022

Beatrice started working as a carer in June 2022 in Berkshire and a friend introduced her to OSJCT in December 2022. She did a little research about OSJCT and believed in her heart that it would be a great company to work with.


She joined the Trust in March 2023 as a carer and was promoted to care leader six months later.


Beatrice is passionate about what she does and is satisfied only when she can put a smile on someone's face at work.