Submit a Review for St Matthews Care Home
Chequer Lane, Redbourn, St Albans, AL3 7QG
View Full Details of St Matthews Care HomeLatest Reviews for St Matthews Care Home
31 January 2025
My father moved to St Matthew's Care Home in Redbourn in January 2024. He had Alzheimer's and had tried to look after himself at home but was not coping very well. It was a big decision for us all and we had a good look around all the care homes in the area. St Matthew's was by far the best. During his year living there, his health improved - both physical and mental. He had the choice of being in company in the communal areas or when he wanted peace and quiet, he could sit in his lovely bedroom. The carers, headed by one member of staff in particular, were all so kind and patient. They were also incredibly supportive to us all which meant a lot. The residents had a super entertainment team who took them out on trips, had musical afternoons and family events in the grounds. Sadly, my dad passed away after Christmas at the age of 95. But I know he had a fantastic year at St Matthew's. Thank you to everyone. You helped us all.
07 January 2025
The resident who was a close friend had been at St Matthews Care Home for about 2 and half years. During that time she had been happy and as comfortable as she could be. She has vascular dementia and fairly severe mobility problems. However, her health declined not unexpectedly and during her last few weeks, she was able to remain at the home. The care she was offered was excellent and she remained peaceful and comfortable until about four days before she died. I was able to visit as often as I liked and felt supported and cared for in turn. Community nurses were also involved in her care as well as a nurse from a local hospice. Many thanks to the care home for helping to make her last few weeks and years as positive and gentle as possible.
17 October 2024
My father has been in the care of St Matthew's for the past four and a half years. His care has been exemplary, from the friendly greeting from the reception staff to the caring staff in Willows. Dad was very happy in the home and always greeted us with a smile. He was well cared for and was always clean and well groomed as was his bedroom and his spotless bathroom. A very big thank you to the whole team that looked after our father. I know he enjoyed his stay.
11 October 2024
Mr Brother-in-law was a resident and was cared for in the Willows Unit because he had dementia and other associated health issues. The level of care was exemplary and I was confident that his needs were met by a wonderful team who got to know and love him. He felt safe and secure in his well-appointed room and although he chose not to use all of them, the activities and facilities were excellent, with a weekly programme of events (communicated to me by email), the residents kitchen where I regularly made us refreshments when I visited, and the beautiful gardens. My brother-in-law's room had direct access to a lovely patio. The staff, including those on reception, took time to get to know me as well share my brother-in-law's news and their concerns. I felt very much part of the picture.
10 September 2024
My Nana has been at St Matthews for some time now, following a couple of initial visits for respite care. I will never forget the member of staff saying to her on her first arrival 'Welcome home Mrs---'. From that point, I knew this was a nice place! The home itself is well-kept, clean, and improvements are being made all the time. The staff though are what makes it for me. The team working on reception are so welcoming and takes an interest in me and my family - my children love to spend time with them! The key workers for the residents really do care - even if it's a bit of tough love! They're not just doing a job, they go further. The activities team go above and beyond in my opinion to give the residents a wide range of in-house and external activities and experiences to enhance their lives. I hope that when my time comes for care, I find somewhere as lovely and welcoming as St Matthews.
19 July 2024
Mum has been in St Matthews for nearly three years now, her care has been excellent and she is happy in the home. The staff are great and there is plenty to occupy her during the day. I give St Matthews 10 out of 10.
19 June 2024
From the moment Mum arrived at St Matthews, their palliative care was exemplary. She was treated with dignity and warmth by all those who looked after her. Nothing was too much trouble, the family were able to spend as much time with her as needed and the care for us, during a very difficult time, was also exemplary.
13 June 2024
My mother was quite nervous about going into the home for two weeks of respite care while I was away. Without exception, every member of staff was very understanding of Mum's feelings and went out of their way to make her feel happy and settled. Mum enjoyed everything about her stay - the food, activities and staff. The home is immaculately clean and well-maintained. Mum thoroughly enjoyed her stay and is looking forward to going in again next time I go on holiday.
10 June 2024
My mum has been in St Matthews for nearly 6 months now and I can't say how grateful I am to all the staff who regularly go above and beyond to look after my mum and her challenging requests! Honestly, nothing is too much trouble for them and everyone is so lovely, caring and friendly with an unlimited amount of patience. There are plenty of activities and outings and lots for residents to do. It is a really happy atmosphere and my mum is like a different person since she's been there and following the difficult time she had before going to St Matthews. It has given her a new lease of life. I really appreciate everything the hardworking staff do to keep my mum happy and I know she does too.
14 May 2024
Mum goes to St Matthews on a regular basis for respite care. She is always made very welcome and looks forward to each visit. All the staff are very efficient, professional, caring and kind. I know when I leave her she is in the best possible hands. The accommodation and facilities are excellent. Entertainment also excellent. Mum is always included in outings and events, even though she is only resident for short spells. Mum celebrated her 100th birthday in November and St Matthews put on a wonderful party for her with all the residents and also provided a singer. They also made her a birthday cake. She was overwhelmed by everyone’s kindness and love. I really don’t know what we would do without St Matthews as Mum requires this arrangement due to our work commitments. Thank you all so much, you are a wonderful team.
08 May 2024
My 94-year-old father was admitted to the home for two weeks of respite care following a 10-day stay in hospital, having suffered from a severe infection. The staff were all very warm and welcoming and helped to build my father's strength and mobility back up again so that he was able to return to his own home after two weeks. He settled quickly and the whole team made him feel very welcome. I was able to take a few day's holiday as a result, which I was very grateful for. The range of Easter activities was excellent and enjoyable. Thank you for taking such good care of my father.
09 April 2024
The care given by the staff at the Home was very good. Mum stayed at the Home for 8 weeks of respite care last summer and for two nights prior to her death last month. She told me that the care she received last summer was satisfactory (she didn’t want to be there). The consideration extended to me and other members of family during and following her death was extremely kind. The administration, however, left much to be desired. Although her admission last month was on very short notice, she was not expected by the staff at the Home when we arrived. On both occasions, there was an issue with the invoicing after her stay. I was deeply upset by the fact that the day after Mum died at the home, I received an invoice in the post - there was no respectful delay by a couple of days, there was no covering letter offering condolences and the amount was wrong by a huge amount.
12 March 2024
My initial guilt and fear of putting my husband into a care home was very quickly squashed. After just a few days I realised the real meaning of carers! The staff have been warm, welcoming and give me all the time I needed with my endless questions. I also worried that my husband wouldn't settle well but the opposite has happened. He feels at home. I cannot thank the whole team enough for all the care he is being given.
22 November 2023
I spent one week of respite care at St Matthews Care Home. It was most enjoyable due to the care given by the staff. They were so kind and helpful. I am a reasonably fit 93-year-old and wanted a break as apart from shopping I care for myself. Two residents fell and were unable to reach alarm cords, would a wrist alarm help? Keeping food hot is always a problem, would a microwave in the kitchenette enable room-served males to be reheated without a carer having to return to the dining room? Even during the nights, lights were left fully on in the corridor and the room was so warm that the window needed to be kept constantly open. The range of activities were very impressive.
31 October 2023
Mum has been at St Matthews for two years now following the passing of my dad. The transition into care was a very difficult time for my mum as she had lost so much in a short space of time. I suspect though, that this is not unusual and that this is a challenging time for almost all families in one way or another. After visiting many care homes, I happened upon St Matthews almost by chance. From the moment that I walked through the door, I felt a warmth and empathy from the team that I did not feel elsewhere. I knew immediately that this was where I wanted my mum to be as I feel that the happiness of a resident is more likely to be increased by interaction with the people around them than the facility itself. The caring nature of the home has a culture which permeates through all the staff and this has greatly helped Mum transition into this next phase of her life. We have not regretted the decision for a moment. The manager and her team are all absolute stars.
05 September 2023
This is a wonderful care home. I can't express how glad I am that I chose it for my husband who has dementia. The staff are so kind, so compassionate and so caring, My husband is looked after so beautifully, with a personal touch. I trust them completely and I know that I can go out or go on holiday knowing he is in the most capable hands. The home has a lovely atmosphere and is so pleasantly decorated and furnished, light and airy and always sweet smelling. The reception staff are always wonderfully welcoming and friendly, also extremely supportive, they understand exactly how terrible it is to see a loved one suffering from dementia and are kindness itself. My husband is always beautifully clean and well-groomed; the staff understanding how important that is. I can't rate the care home highly enough.
31 August 2023
I dragged my friend and her Mum to the Summer Party today. We all enjoyed ourselves and commented on how attentive the staff were, even at such a busy event. Since going to St. Matthews Mum is 100% better than she had been. Thank you everyone. And an extra thank you to The Nutter!
30 August 2023
My mother moved in, in March this year. It was a tough decision for our family to make, but however much time we spent with her she needed more companionship. St Matthews has been a godsend to my mum and the family. She has made friends and has 24-hour care by staff who are amazing. St Matthews has made such a difference to our mum, and taken the worry away from the family knowing she is safe, healthy and happy. A big thank you to all the staff.
24 August 2023
Mum has been a resident of St Matthews for 2 years. She settled in quickly and gets involved with and enjoys the activities, especially the trips out. The staff are friendly and welcoming when we visit and we are never made to feel in the way. Her care is regularly reviewed and adjusted as her needs increase. The home is well-maintained and very clean. There is a choice of meals with plenty to eat and snacks available.
13 July 2023
This care home is beautifully located on a hill in leafy Redbourne. My mother resides on the top floor, which has open access to a large garden area where she can walk, sit and even do some gardening. Overall, the staff are happy and friendly. Whilst there have been many times when I arrive, and there is no staff to be seen, within minutes, members of staff arrive and help me find my mother. There is a refreshingly informal atmosphere in the place where residents can roam freely in and out of each other's rooms. The place is clean and tidy, Mum's room is always in good condition, and the bathroom is spotless. There are two fabulous entertainment ladies who are incredibly enthusiastic, but for 70 residents of varying capacities, 1.5 full-time equivalents are insufficient. The reception staff are always wonderfully welcoming. I do think an assigned carer to Mum would be helpful for communications both ways.
Latest Reviews for St Matthews Care Home
31 January 2025
My father moved to St Matthew's Care Home in Redbourn in January 2024. He had Alzheimer's and had tried to look after himself at home but was not coping very well. It was a big decision for us all and we had a good look around all the care homes in the area. St Matthew's was by far the best. During his year living there, his health improved - both physical and mental. He had the choice of being in company in the communal areas or when he wanted peace and quiet, he could sit in his lovely bedroom. The carers, headed by one member of staff in particular, were all so kind and patient. They were also incredibly supportive to us all which meant a lot. The residents had a super entertainment team who took them out on trips, had musical afternoons and family events in the grounds. Sadly, my dad passed away after Christmas at the age of 95. But I know he had a fantastic year at St Matthew's. Thank you to everyone. You helped us all.
07 January 2025
The resident who was a close friend had been at St Matthews Care Home for about 2 and half years. During that time she had been happy and as comfortable as she could be. She has vascular dementia and fairly severe mobility problems. However, her health declined not unexpectedly and during her last few weeks, she was able to remain at the home. The care she was offered was excellent and she remained peaceful and comfortable until about four days before she died. I was able to visit as often as I liked and felt supported and cared for in turn. Community nurses were also involved in her care as well as a nurse from a local hospice. Many thanks to the care home for helping to make her last few weeks and years as positive and gentle as possible.
17 October 2024
My father has been in the care of St Matthew's for the past four and a half years. His care has been exemplary, from the friendly greeting from the reception staff to the caring staff in Willows. Dad was very happy in the home and always greeted us with a smile. He was well cared for and was always clean and well groomed as was his bedroom and his spotless bathroom. A very big thank you to the whole team that looked after our father. I know he enjoyed his stay.
11 October 2024
Mr Brother-in-law was a resident and was cared for in the Willows Unit because he had dementia and other associated health issues. The level of care was exemplary and I was confident that his needs were met by a wonderful team who got to know and love him. He felt safe and secure in his well-appointed room and although he chose not to use all of them, the activities and facilities were excellent, with a weekly programme of events (communicated to me by email), the residents kitchen where I regularly made us refreshments when I visited, and the beautiful gardens. My brother-in-law's room had direct access to a lovely patio. The staff, including those on reception, took time to get to know me as well share my brother-in-law's news and their concerns. I felt very much part of the picture.
10 September 2024
My Nana has been at St Matthews for some time now, following a couple of initial visits for respite care. I will never forget the member of staff saying to her on her first arrival 'Welcome home Mrs---'. From that point, I knew this was a nice place! The home itself is well-kept, clean, and improvements are being made all the time. The staff though are what makes it for me. The team working on reception are so welcoming and takes an interest in me and my family - my children love to spend time with them! The key workers for the residents really do care - even if it's a bit of tough love! They're not just doing a job, they go further. The activities team go above and beyond in my opinion to give the residents a wide range of in-house and external activities and experiences to enhance their lives. I hope that when my time comes for care, I find somewhere as lovely and welcoming as St Matthews.
19 July 2024
Mum has been in St Matthews for nearly three years now, her care has been excellent and she is happy in the home. The staff are great and there is plenty to occupy her during the day. I give St Matthews 10 out of 10.
19 June 2024
From the moment Mum arrived at St Matthews, their palliative care was exemplary. She was treated with dignity and warmth by all those who looked after her. Nothing was too much trouble, the family were able to spend as much time with her as needed and the care for us, during a very difficult time, was also exemplary.
13 June 2024
My mother was quite nervous about going into the home for two weeks of respite care while I was away. Without exception, every member of staff was very understanding of Mum's feelings and went out of their way to make her feel happy and settled. Mum enjoyed everything about her stay - the food, activities and staff. The home is immaculately clean and well-maintained. Mum thoroughly enjoyed her stay and is looking forward to going in again next time I go on holiday.
10 June 2024
My mum has been in St Matthews for nearly 6 months now and I can't say how grateful I am to all the staff who regularly go above and beyond to look after my mum and her challenging requests! Honestly, nothing is too much trouble for them and everyone is so lovely, caring and friendly with an unlimited amount of patience. There are plenty of activities and outings and lots for residents to do. It is a really happy atmosphere and my mum is like a different person since she's been there and following the difficult time she had before going to St Matthews. It has given her a new lease of life. I really appreciate everything the hardworking staff do to keep my mum happy and I know she does too.
14 May 2024
Mum goes to St Matthews on a regular basis for respite care. She is always made very welcome and looks forward to each visit. All the staff are very efficient, professional, caring and kind. I know when I leave her she is in the best possible hands. The accommodation and facilities are excellent. Entertainment also excellent. Mum is always included in outings and events, even though she is only resident for short spells. Mum celebrated her 100th birthday in November and St Matthews put on a wonderful party for her with all the residents and also provided a singer. They also made her a birthday cake. She was overwhelmed by everyone’s kindness and love. I really don’t know what we would do without St Matthews as Mum requires this arrangement due to our work commitments. Thank you all so much, you are a wonderful team.
08 May 2024
My 94-year-old father was admitted to the home for two weeks of respite care following a 10-day stay in hospital, having suffered from a severe infection. The staff were all very warm and welcoming and helped to build my father's strength and mobility back up again so that he was able to return to his own home after two weeks. He settled quickly and the whole team made him feel very welcome. I was able to take a few day's holiday as a result, which I was very grateful for. The range of Easter activities was excellent and enjoyable. Thank you for taking such good care of my father.
09 April 2024
The care given by the staff at the Home was very good. Mum stayed at the Home for 8 weeks of respite care last summer and for two nights prior to her death last month. She told me that the care she received last summer was satisfactory (she didn’t want to be there). The consideration extended to me and other members of family during and following her death was extremely kind. The administration, however, left much to be desired. Although her admission last month was on very short notice, she was not expected by the staff at the Home when we arrived. On both occasions, there was an issue with the invoicing after her stay. I was deeply upset by the fact that the day after Mum died at the home, I received an invoice in the post - there was no respectful delay by a couple of days, there was no covering letter offering condolences and the amount was wrong by a huge amount.
12 March 2024
My initial guilt and fear of putting my husband into a care home was very quickly squashed. After just a few days I realised the real meaning of carers! The staff have been warm, welcoming and give me all the time I needed with my endless questions. I also worried that my husband wouldn't settle well but the opposite has happened. He feels at home. I cannot thank the whole team enough for all the care he is being given.
22 November 2023
I spent one week of respite care at St Matthews Care Home. It was most enjoyable due to the care given by the staff. They were so kind and helpful. I am a reasonably fit 93-year-old and wanted a break as apart from shopping I care for myself. Two residents fell and were unable to reach alarm cords, would a wrist alarm help? Keeping food hot is always a problem, would a microwave in the kitchenette enable room-served males to be reheated without a carer having to return to the dining room? Even during the nights, lights were left fully on in the corridor and the room was so warm that the window needed to be kept constantly open. The range of activities were very impressive.
31 October 2023
Mum has been at St Matthews for two years now following the passing of my dad. The transition into care was a very difficult time for my mum as she had lost so much in a short space of time. I suspect though, that this is not unusual and that this is a challenging time for almost all families in one way or another. After visiting many care homes, I happened upon St Matthews almost by chance. From the moment that I walked through the door, I felt a warmth and empathy from the team that I did not feel elsewhere. I knew immediately that this was where I wanted my mum to be as I feel that the happiness of a resident is more likely to be increased by interaction with the people around them than the facility itself. The caring nature of the home has a culture which permeates through all the staff and this has greatly helped Mum transition into this next phase of her life. We have not regretted the decision for a moment. The manager and her team are all absolute stars.
05 September 2023
This is a wonderful care home. I can't express how glad I am that I chose it for my husband who has dementia. The staff are so kind, so compassionate and so caring, My husband is looked after so beautifully, with a personal touch. I trust them completely and I know that I can go out or go on holiday knowing he is in the most capable hands. The home has a lovely atmosphere and is so pleasantly decorated and furnished, light and airy and always sweet smelling. The reception staff are always wonderfully welcoming and friendly, also extremely supportive, they understand exactly how terrible it is to see a loved one suffering from dementia and are kindness itself. My husband is always beautifully clean and well-groomed; the staff understanding how important that is. I can't rate the care home highly enough.
31 August 2023
I dragged my friend and her Mum to the Summer Party today. We all enjoyed ourselves and commented on how attentive the staff were, even at such a busy event. Since going to St. Matthews Mum is 100% better than she had been. Thank you everyone. And an extra thank you to The Nutter!
30 August 2023
My mother moved in, in March this year. It was a tough decision for our family to make, but however much time we spent with her she needed more companionship. St Matthews has been a godsend to my mum and the family. She has made friends and has 24-hour care by staff who are amazing. St Matthews has made such a difference to our mum, and taken the worry away from the family knowing she is safe, healthy and happy. A big thank you to all the staff.
24 August 2023
Mum has been a resident of St Matthews for 2 years. She settled in quickly and gets involved with and enjoys the activities, especially the trips out. The staff are friendly and welcoming when we visit and we are never made to feel in the way. Her care is regularly reviewed and adjusted as her needs increase. The home is well-maintained and very clean. There is a choice of meals with plenty to eat and snacks available.
13 July 2023
This care home is beautifully located on a hill in leafy Redbourne. My mother resides on the top floor, which has open access to a large garden area where she can walk, sit and even do some gardening. Overall, the staff are happy and friendly. Whilst there have been many times when I arrive, and there is no staff to be seen, within minutes, members of staff arrive and help me find my mother. There is a refreshingly informal atmosphere in the place where residents can roam freely in and out of each other's rooms. The place is clean and tidy, Mum's room is always in good condition, and the bathroom is spotless. There are two fabulous entertainment ladies who are incredibly enthusiastic, but for 70 residents of varying capacities, 1.5 full-time equivalents are insufficient. The reception staff are always wonderfully welcoming. I do think an assigned carer to Mum would be helpful for communications both ways.