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Gun Hill, Dedham, Colchester, CO7 6HP
View Full Details of Blackbrook HouseLatest Reviews for Blackbrook House
19 March 2025
Mother spent the last three years of her life at Blackbrook House and knowing that she was safe and comfortable there was a huge weight off my mind. The staff were all very caring and treated Mum with respect. The managers were always approachable and treated Mum as an individual not just as a client. Her final passing was treated with compassion and dignity.
22 January 2025
I would strongly recommend the manager and her team. They cared for my father in a caring and compassionate way. They dealt with his needs in an amazingly professional way. Sadly, we were unable to keep him there any longer due to social services. The care home has a warm and friendly atmosphere, it is a wonderful place. Thank you for all your help and support for the family as well.
21 January 2025
The care staff and management are excellent. I feel that sometimes the level/quantity of carers could be improved, especially at weekends. I have found my father on a few occasions needing some assistance. It does always come on asking. He has lost a number of clothing items and also a hearing aid in excess of £1,000 to replace, so maybe this element could be looked at. All this said, I am very happy with the care, the home, staff and management. My father has always been a 'good' critic and does often complain to me about the food.
15 January 2025
My sister and I visited our mum at Blackbrook House and had our lunch with her last week (12th December) and it was such a memorable and joyous visit. We were given a lovely table in the dining room in a little secluded area all decorated festively for Christmas. The staff were all amazing and made us all feel very special taking pictures for us and the assistant manager went above and beyond to look after us, printing and laminating a lovely photograph of all three of us together. The food was delicious. Thank you Blackbrook House.
31 December 2024
The staff are very helpful. Breakfast is brought up to my room. I watch TV while I'm having breakfast. There's a choice for lunch and dinner which is very nice. A lady who sits at my table is a vegetarian and she is catered for. My room and shower room are regularly cleaned and polished. I forgot to say I have the same thing for breakfast every morning!
19 December 2024
Blackbrook House is the best-kept care home that I have been in. My husband is a resident, he is very happy where he is. With dementia, it is very hard to assess his feelings. I only have one gripe and on several days over the last few weeks, when there are no senior staff on shift, things seem not to run as smoothly. The inexperienced agency staff seem to not know what they are doing. It is a very hard job, I know, and it is easy for me to say but I do think there should be more experienced staff to guide them.
19 December 2024
Would appreciate, when the weather is appropriate, that the outdoor patio area could be cleaned, swept and pressure washed, and bird feeders cleaned with table and chairs as the area looks unloved and not useable.
13 December 2024
My aunt moved into Blackbrook House in November, she has said how lovely the home is, so clean, friendly and beautifully decorated it is. The staff are all so welcoming and friendly and nothing seems too much trouble if you ask for anything. She loves her newly painted room and seems very settled. I am very pleased with her settling in so quickly.
04 December 2024
Very welcoming, caring care home. Good staff ratio to residents. Good level of activities. One to one time spent with residents on a regular basis. Management and staff contact relatives should there be a problem, They do this in a timely manner. Communal area's are comfortable and clean. The individual residents rooms do now require an up-lift as they are looking a little tired.
14 October 2024
I cannot fault Blackbrook House Care Home. The building, facilities, accommodation are very efficient yet are very comfortable, bright, welcoming and extremely clean. The staff and carers are truly lovely people. They are warm, friendly and really care about the residents and visitors as well. I would not hesitate to recommend this care home to people considering relocating loved ones. By far, the best we looked at and we looked at a lot of homes in the Colchester area.
20 September 2024
My mother has been a resident for nearly three years. She arrived after living abroad for many years and she had just lost her husband and arrived at Blackbrook House in a very anxious and depressed state. The staff at Blackbrook House have nurtured and supported my mother since her arrival, enabling her to, once again, enjoy her days in, what is now, her home. The residents are positively encouraged to participate in the activities and their views are sought whenever a change to their home is envisaged, even down to helping choose the paint colour for the walls. My mother is treated with respect and dignity and is encouraged to be independent which she enjoys. My suggestions for improvement include improving the outside spaces and reintroducing the family meetings to update relatives on issues and initiatives etc.
10 September 2024
We could not believe how amazing Blackbrook House has been. The welcome, induction to everything and the cleanliness of the room was superb. Staff were friendly, caring and attentive. Options of going down for food or sitting outside of Mum's room were given. They made me feel welcome when visiting too. Sadly, the food was not that good, but Mum was offered other options.
02 July 2024
I have been supported and treated very well. The staff are very good and helpful.
17 June 2024
My father went into Blackbrook House for restpite whilst recovering from pneumonia. The standards are very high, the care staff are attentive and the rooms are of a good standard. Food is also excellent and served in your room if wanted. All in all, it's a very nice place.
05 June 2024
Mum went into Blackbrook House in February of 2024. She was welcomed in by the home manager and other members of the staff. During the early days she received the care and attention she needed in order to help her settle. After a very short time she was enjoying and joining in all the activities, of which there are many, on a daily basis. She has formed good relationships with the staff and is very settled and happy. All members of the team are kind and caring and Mum is receiving the level of care she requires at this time. Blackbrook is a smaller home, therefore, presents as very homely and comfortable. The cleanliness levels are high. The resident chef provides good home-cooked food with varied menu choices each day. The gardens that surround the property are pleasant with comfortable seating areas and access is level. I would have no hesitation in recommending Blackbrook to others.
19 March 2024
My mother moved into Blackbrook House five months ago. We were delighted to find this lovely care home in our village. From the first day, we were impressed by the friendliness of all the staff. The home is spotlessly clean with a homely feel to it. As visitors, our family are always made to feel welcome with a friendly smile and chat. Our dog, who we take along with us, scores a hit with the other residents and staff alike! The management are excellent as too are the team leaders and carers, cleaners, kitchen staff and all who work there. Always very approachable and do an excellent job of providing the best possible care for our loved ones.
13 March 2024
My mother moved into Blackbrook Care Home in January after losing her husband suddenly, he was her carer so she was not safe to remain at home alone. It was a very difficult time for her and she was also very anxious about moving into a care home. From the moment we arrived at the home, she was made to feel welcome. Each and everyone has something to offer, from carers, housekeepers, handyman and chefs up to management and admin team. Everyone has been friendly and approachable. The home is clean and homely and there are daily activities for residents if required. There is a good choice of food and it always looks very appetising. Above all, the staff are friendly and kind, so my mum who is a quiet and shy lady has settled in well and enjoys a little chat with the staff. They took the time to get to know her little ways which was really important. I cannot think of a better place for her to be cared for and I would highly recommend the home to others.
16 October 2023
Mum initially went to Blackbrook House having spent a month in hospital. Our father is 94 years old and had been her main carer for the past couple of years. All of our family have been really pleased with the level of care that she’s received, her clothes are always clean and appropriate for the change in weather conditions. The staff always talk to her and smile, she really enjoys the meals and finishes everything that they give her. Mum has been a high-risk faller for the last few years and all risks have been managed to ensure her safety which significantly reduced them. As a family of her husband, daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren we can’t praise and thank the staff enough - thank you.
13 October 2023
Staff are all really good, some excellent, all really caring and never seem to be fazed by the resident's sometimes tricky demands. Response times to buzzers can be a little slow, but I appreciate they cannot be in two places at once, and some residents do call often. Residents are well-fed and cared for. I am pleased to say both my parents are mostly happy with their home, despite wishing they had remained in their own home.
08 August 2023
Making the decision to place my mum into the care of others was not an easy one to make. I knew I had to find exactly the right residential home to place my trust in. The minute my husband and I walked into Blackbrook House and were greeted by the manager, I knew my mum would have approved, and it would be the right choice for her. The facilities are well presented and clean, with a friendly and homely feel. The care Mum received was excellent, and her extensive needs were well catered for. I felt very welcomed into the home on any visit I made, and I could see she was settled and cared for. Despite Mum only living there for a short while, I felt that all the staff had taken the time to get to know her personally and took time out of their busy days to have a chat with her. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Blackbrook House to others.
Latest Reviews for Blackbrook House
19 March 2025
Mother spent the last three years of her life at Blackbrook House and knowing that she was safe and comfortable there was a huge weight off my mind. The staff were all very caring and treated Mum with respect. The managers were always approachable and treated Mum as an individual not just as a client. Her final passing was treated with compassion and dignity.
22 January 2025
I would strongly recommend the manager and her team. They cared for my father in a caring and compassionate way. They dealt with his needs in an amazingly professional way. Sadly, we were unable to keep him there any longer due to social services. The care home has a warm and friendly atmosphere, it is a wonderful place. Thank you for all your help and support for the family as well.
21 January 2025
The care staff and management are excellent. I feel that sometimes the level/quantity of carers could be improved, especially at weekends. I have found my father on a few occasions needing some assistance. It does always come on asking. He has lost a number of clothing items and also a hearing aid in excess of £1,000 to replace, so maybe this element could be looked at. All this said, I am very happy with the care, the home, staff and management. My father has always been a 'good' critic and does often complain to me about the food.
15 January 2025
My sister and I visited our mum at Blackbrook House and had our lunch with her last week (12th December) and it was such a memorable and joyous visit. We were given a lovely table in the dining room in a little secluded area all decorated festively for Christmas. The staff were all amazing and made us all feel very special taking pictures for us and the assistant manager went above and beyond to look after us, printing and laminating a lovely photograph of all three of us together. The food was delicious. Thank you Blackbrook House.
31 December 2024
The staff are very helpful. Breakfast is brought up to my room. I watch TV while I'm having breakfast. There's a choice for lunch and dinner which is very nice. A lady who sits at my table is a vegetarian and she is catered for. My room and shower room are regularly cleaned and polished. I forgot to say I have the same thing for breakfast every morning!
19 December 2024
Blackbrook House is the best-kept care home that I have been in. My husband is a resident, he is very happy where he is. With dementia, it is very hard to assess his feelings. I only have one gripe and on several days over the last few weeks, when there are no senior staff on shift, things seem not to run as smoothly. The inexperienced agency staff seem to not know what they are doing. It is a very hard job, I know, and it is easy for me to say but I do think there should be more experienced staff to guide them.
19 December 2024
Would appreciate, when the weather is appropriate, that the outdoor patio area could be cleaned, swept and pressure washed, and bird feeders cleaned with table and chairs as the area looks unloved and not useable.
13 December 2024
My aunt moved into Blackbrook House in November, she has said how lovely the home is, so clean, friendly and beautifully decorated it is. The staff are all so welcoming and friendly and nothing seems too much trouble if you ask for anything. She loves her newly painted room and seems very settled. I am very pleased with her settling in so quickly.
04 December 2024
Very welcoming, caring care home. Good staff ratio to residents. Good level of activities. One to one time spent with residents on a regular basis. Management and staff contact relatives should there be a problem, They do this in a timely manner. Communal area's are comfortable and clean. The individual residents rooms do now require an up-lift as they are looking a little tired.
14 October 2024
I cannot fault Blackbrook House Care Home. The building, facilities, accommodation are very efficient yet are very comfortable, bright, welcoming and extremely clean. The staff and carers are truly lovely people. They are warm, friendly and really care about the residents and visitors as well. I would not hesitate to recommend this care home to people considering relocating loved ones. By far, the best we looked at and we looked at a lot of homes in the Colchester area.
20 September 2024
My mother has been a resident for nearly three years. She arrived after living abroad for many years and she had just lost her husband and arrived at Blackbrook House in a very anxious and depressed state. The staff at Blackbrook House have nurtured and supported my mother since her arrival, enabling her to, once again, enjoy her days in, what is now, her home. The residents are positively encouraged to participate in the activities and their views are sought whenever a change to their home is envisaged, even down to helping choose the paint colour for the walls. My mother is treated with respect and dignity and is encouraged to be independent which she enjoys. My suggestions for improvement include improving the outside spaces and reintroducing the family meetings to update relatives on issues and initiatives etc.
10 September 2024
We could not believe how amazing Blackbrook House has been. The welcome, induction to everything and the cleanliness of the room was superb. Staff were friendly, caring and attentive. Options of going down for food or sitting outside of Mum's room were given. They made me feel welcome when visiting too. Sadly, the food was not that good, but Mum was offered other options.
02 July 2024
I have been supported and treated very well. The staff are very good and helpful.
17 June 2024
My father went into Blackbrook House for restpite whilst recovering from pneumonia. The standards are very high, the care staff are attentive and the rooms are of a good standard. Food is also excellent and served in your room if wanted. All in all, it's a very nice place.
05 June 2024
Mum went into Blackbrook House in February of 2024. She was welcomed in by the home manager and other members of the staff. During the early days she received the care and attention she needed in order to help her settle. After a very short time she was enjoying and joining in all the activities, of which there are many, on a daily basis. She has formed good relationships with the staff and is very settled and happy. All members of the team are kind and caring and Mum is receiving the level of care she requires at this time. Blackbrook is a smaller home, therefore, presents as very homely and comfortable. The cleanliness levels are high. The resident chef provides good home-cooked food with varied menu choices each day. The gardens that surround the property are pleasant with comfortable seating areas and access is level. I would have no hesitation in recommending Blackbrook to others.
19 March 2024
My mother moved into Blackbrook House five months ago. We were delighted to find this lovely care home in our village. From the first day, we were impressed by the friendliness of all the staff. The home is spotlessly clean with a homely feel to it. As visitors, our family are always made to feel welcome with a friendly smile and chat. Our dog, who we take along with us, scores a hit with the other residents and staff alike! The management are excellent as too are the team leaders and carers, cleaners, kitchen staff and all who work there. Always very approachable and do an excellent job of providing the best possible care for our loved ones.
13 March 2024
My mother moved into Blackbrook Care Home in January after losing her husband suddenly, he was her carer so she was not safe to remain at home alone. It was a very difficult time for her and she was also very anxious about moving into a care home. From the moment we arrived at the home, she was made to feel welcome. Each and everyone has something to offer, from carers, housekeepers, handyman and chefs up to management and admin team. Everyone has been friendly and approachable. The home is clean and homely and there are daily activities for residents if required. There is a good choice of food and it always looks very appetising. Above all, the staff are friendly and kind, so my mum who is a quiet and shy lady has settled in well and enjoys a little chat with the staff. They took the time to get to know her little ways which was really important. I cannot think of a better place for her to be cared for and I would highly recommend the home to others.
16 October 2023
Mum initially went to Blackbrook House having spent a month in hospital. Our father is 94 years old and had been her main carer for the past couple of years. All of our family have been really pleased with the level of care that she’s received, her clothes are always clean and appropriate for the change in weather conditions. The staff always talk to her and smile, she really enjoys the meals and finishes everything that they give her. Mum has been a high-risk faller for the last few years and all risks have been managed to ensure her safety which significantly reduced them. As a family of her husband, daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren we can’t praise and thank the staff enough - thank you.
13 October 2023
Staff are all really good, some excellent, all really caring and never seem to be fazed by the resident's sometimes tricky demands. Response times to buzzers can be a little slow, but I appreciate they cannot be in two places at once, and some residents do call often. Residents are well-fed and cared for. I am pleased to say both my parents are mostly happy with their home, despite wishing they had remained in their own home.
08 August 2023
Making the decision to place my mum into the care of others was not an easy one to make. I knew I had to find exactly the right residential home to place my trust in. The minute my husband and I walked into Blackbrook House and were greeted by the manager, I knew my mum would have approved, and it would be the right choice for her. The facilities are well presented and clean, with a friendly and homely feel. The care Mum received was excellent, and her extensive needs were well catered for. I felt very welcomed into the home on any visit I made, and I could see she was settled and cared for. Despite Mum only living there for a short while, I felt that all the staff had taken the time to get to know her personally and took time out of their busy days to have a chat with her. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Blackbrook House to others.