Alderwood Care Home
Book a Visit
39 Essex Hall Road
Colchester
Essex
CO1 1ZP
| Care Type | Care Home |
|---|---|
| Care Category | Residential | Nursing | Dementia | Respite |
| Availability | Yes |
| Regulator's Rating | Outstanding |
Meet The Manager
Nikki Leaney is The Home Manager at Alderwood Care Home.
Nikki has been a registered nurse for 40 years. She began her inspirational career specialising in elderly care over 30 years ago and has been a care home manager for the past 21 years.
It was while working on the wards of the NHS that Nikki decided she wanted to make a difference in how care for the elderly was delivered. After joining Alderwood in 2014, Nikki tells us that achieving both the Outstanding rating from the Care Quality Commission along with Gold Standard Accreditation for End of Life Care were amazing accolades of which she is immensely proud.
At Alderwood Care Home we provide award-winning, person-centred residential, nursing and dementia care from a skilled and passionate team. Rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), we are also accredited by the Gold Standards Framework for compassionate end-of-life care.
With a focus on making life meaningful, every day, our residents enjoy a fun and varied schedule of activities and events designed to support their health and wellbeing. These include live performances from local entertainers, music and movement classes, pet therapy visits, craft workshops, and sensory Namaste Care. Not forgetting regular excursions to local places of interest in the private minibus.
Underpinned by strong community links, we run a ‘wishing tree’ initiative, working with local partners to grant residents’ wishes, big and small, as well as frequently welcoming school children to enjoy the company of residents.
Alderwood is a vibrant home and stimulating environment that supports residents and their families to spend quality time together. It is beautifully decorated featuring en-suite bedrooms, bright and comfortable lounges, a hair salon, private dining room, cinema and a bustling bistro, surrounded by a large, landscaped garden.
As part of our commitment to providing outstanding care, our team seeks to establish positive relationships with residents’ loved ones, involving them in life at our home. Our team receives on-going training, professional development and guidance to support all residents to live happy and fulfilled lives.
As a testament to this, we are thrilled to be a part of the UK’s Top 20 Mid-sized Care Group 2026, as rated by carehome.co.uk, and have won many awards over the years including the Essex Care Sector Awards and the Great British Care Awards. Families know their loved ones are being cared for by a trusted and reputable provider, with love and compassion at the forefront of all we do.
| Care Options | We Can Provide |
|---|---|
| Support For | Companionship, Convalescence, End of Life, Nursing Dementia / EMI, Palliative, Personal care, Physiotherapy, Support for Couples. |
| Disability Support | Bed Bound, Hearing Impairment, Physical Disability, Physically Frail, Requires Hoist , Speech Impairment, Visual Impairment, Walking Frame, Wheel Chair Bound. |
| Medication | By Mouth, Change Catheter, Electronic Medication Management, Injection, Suppository. |
| Nursing Specialisms | Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Crohns, Crohn's Disease, Depression, Diabetes, Epilepsy, Heart Disease, Huntington Disease, Liver Disease, Lung Disease, Motor Neurone Disease (MND), Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy (MD), Pain Management, Parkinson's Disease, Stroke, Ulcerative Colitis. |
| Type Of Dementia | Mild Dementia, Moderate Dementia, Severe Dementia (EMI). |
| Dementia Behaviour | Agitation / Restlessness, Disrupted Sleep Patterns, Mild Forgetfulness, Wandering . |
| Dementia Specialisms | Alzheimer's, Frontotemporal, Lewy Body, Mixed Dementias, Picks Disease, Vascular Dementia. |
| Respite Care | Yes |
Autumna has invited care providers to evidence the infection control measures they are carrying out, above and beyond those laid out by the government, in order to keep residents, staff and visitors safe.
| What we're doing to keep residents & visitors safe | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Alderwood Care Home is working within the government guidelines to help protect our staff and clients. |
||
| Infection Control Initiatives in place | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
Infection Control Training | Our staff are trained to use measures which prevent and control infections. |
|
Sterilisation & Disinfection Devices | We are using sterilisation and/or disinfection devices within our care setting. |
|
Virus Testing | We are testing for viral infection when symptoms present within our care setting. |
| Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) - Regulator’s Assessment | ||
|---|---|---|
| In response to the coronavirus pandemic, regulators have assessed the preparedness of care providers in relation to infection prevention and control. Details of the regulator’s latest findings can be found below. | ||
| Regulator: CQC | ||
|
Use of PPE | The provider assured the regulator that it was using personal protective equipment effectively and safely. |
| View the provider’s latest Inspection Reports. | ||
| Safe Visiting Space | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|||||
| Connectivity for resident testing, monitoring & communications |
|---|
|
Infection control and the safety of both residents and staff often requires quarantine measures and the isolation of care home residents. To test, monitor and allow residents to communicate with relatives, the prevalence of room-level connectivity within the home is becoming increasingly relevant. Wireless Internet access (WiFi) Yes, our care home has WiFi in all our resident’s rooms. Mobile Phone Network Coverage (mobile “signal”) Yes, our care home has mobile phone signal in all our resident’s rooms. Telephone for external calling Yes, our care home provides a telephone in all our resident’s rooms. |
Social media provides an up to date window on the activities within a provider's setting.
We are on Facebook| Minimum Age |
|---|
| 18 |
| Our Building and Facilities |
|---|
|
Alderwood is able to provide all three levels of care; residential, nursing and dementia care. This means that we're able to provide varying levels of care for people should their needs change. |
| Is Our Home Purpose Built |
|---|
| Yes |
| How Many Floors We Have |
|---|
| 3 |
| Who Owns Our Building |
|---|
| Private |
| Communal Rooms |
|---|
| Bistro, Dining Rooms, Library, Sitting Rooms, TV Lounges. |
| What Else Do We Provide |
|---|
| Assisted Bathroom, Beauty Salon, Cinema, GP, Hairdressers, Library, Lift, Minibus. |
| Our Garden |
|---|
| Communal Garden, Communal Patio, Pond or Lake, Private Garden(s), Seating, Secure Garden, Sensory Garden, Vegetable Plot, Wheelchair Friendly Access. |
| How 'Smart' Are We? |
|---|
| Electronic Visitor Register, Interactive Digital Touch Table, Reduce Plastic Use. |
| Description |
|---|
|
We have a selection of beautifully furnished and decorated bedrooms complete with an en-suite wetroom to support convenience and independence. |
| About Our Rooms | |
|---|---|
| Number Of Rooms | 65 |
| Number Of Ensuite Rooms | 65 |
| We offer these types of ensuite rooms: WC and Basin, Wet Rooms. | |
| Type Of Room |
|---|
| Shared Room, Single Room. |
| Room Features |
|---|
| Direct Garden Access, Furnished, Garden View, Step Free Access. |
| Room Facilities |
|---|
| Alarm, Freeview TV, Internet Access, Private Patio, Safe, Secure Access, Telephone Point, Wifi. |
| Funding Types | |
|---|---|
| Local Authority | Essex |
| Region | East |
| We Accept Self-Funding Clients | Yes |
| We Accept Local Authority Funding | No |
| We Accept NHS Continuing Healthcare | Yes |
| We Accept Local Authority funding with a Third Party Top-Up | Yes |
Choice Dining is a food-focused accreditation designed to give care-seekers like yourself the ability to consider and compare the dining experience within different care settings.
To be awarded the Choice Dining badge, a care home will have committed to delivering exceptional dining experiences with a strong focus on preference, individuality, hygiene and the environment. You can explore the specifics of all participating homes in the tab below to learn more about the food on offer, how it is served and presented and what they’re doing to cater for your personal taste. Find out more about Choice Dining.
| Styles of Food |
 Gluten-free
Halal
Kosher
Pureed
Vegan
Vegetarian
|
|---|---|
| Dining Locations |
Bedroom Dining
Bistro
Lounge/Diner
|
| Dining Styles |
Hot Trolley
Room Service
|
| Hospitality |
Guests are welcome for dinner (Covid permitting)
|
The preparation, nutritional value and presentation of food.
Attractive drinks and adaptive cups/glasses are available and accessible where needed.
Individual dietary needs are person centred.
Meals reflect the nutritional needs of the residents.
Our menu is balanced.
Snacks are provided for residents that require texture-modified food.
Sweet and savoury foods are provided between meals (this does not just include cakes and biscuits).
Hot Trolley
Room Service
A critical component for good health.
5 Star Rated by UK Food Standards. Hand hygiene for both residents and staff.
We are following best practice including NICE guidelines as a standard.
We are conducting internal and/or 3rd party food safety audits.
We have allergen management policies in place.
A freedom to eat the food you want, when you want it.
A Private Dining room is bookable for residents and their families.
Families are invited for meals [Covid permitting].
Residents dining in their own room have the same food options as elsewhere.
Residents dining in their own room have their food presented to same standard as elsewhere.
Residents have access to a Bistro.
Residents have access to Dining Room.
Residents have the option of dining in their own room.
Staff sit with the residents they support when they dine.
Residents can order food not on the menu, or have access to an ‘evergreen menu’.
Residents have access to a flexible meal service beyond defined times.
More than one option is available at mealtimes for all residents, including those with special and theraputic diets.
Residents with dementia are shown food or visual menus to help them decide.
There is a weekly menu.
We offer catering for special events.
Residents are involved in the creation of the menu.
The best interest choices are made for residents unable to make their own choices.
Understanding the wants and requirements of every individual be it cultural, religious or dietary.
Halal food can be served.
Kosher food can be served.
Gluten-free food can be served.
Vegan food can be served.
Vegetarian food can be served.
We can support people with Diabetes.
Delivering a respectful and quality service.
Residents are given appropriate and dignified crockery / glassware and cutlery.
Tables are well laid.
We have food theme days/nights.
Staff understand and pre-empt potential meal-time behaviours which can impact nutritional intake.
Staff always use appropriate and dignified language (e.g. it is an ‘apron’ not a ‘bib’).
We promote an inclusive dining experience.
There are no unnecessary disruptions during mealtimes.
Being environmentally and socially responsible and thoughtful.
We correctly dispose of our waste.
We have a waste management system.
We monitor our food waste.
Residents can get involved in the growing of food and/or ingredients on site.
We grow some food and/or ingredients on site.
Our energy usage is well maintained.
We are actively reducing food mileage.
| Activities Are So Important |
|---|
|
Our residents’ ongoing health and wellbeing is extremely important to us and we recognise that keeping active, both mentally and physically, whilst maintaining a sense of purpose and meaning are key to individuals’ happiness, contentment and joy. In partnership with our residents and those closest to them, our dedicated lifestyle team develops a varied programme of meaningful activities, events and celebrations which are personalised to individuals’ likes, dislikes, abilities and care needs as well as aspirations and dreams for the future. |
| Our Photos |
|---|
| Activities At Home |
|---|
| 1 to 1 Activities, Animal Petting, Bingo, Birthday Celebrations, Board Games, Card Games, Choir, Cooking, Crafts, Crosswords, Dancing, Excursions, Exercise Class, Flower Arranging, Gardening, Knitting / Embroidery, Music Entertainment, Music Therapy, Painting, Pet Therapy, Quiz Games, Religious Services, Reminiscence, Residents' Committee, Singing, Themed Events, Visiting Entertainment, Word Games. |
| Activities Outside Our Home |
|---|
| Garden Centre, Local Tourist Attractions, Park, Pub, Shopping, Shopping Centre, Theatre. |
| Our Pets |
|---|
|
Visitors are welcome to bring well-behaved pets to visit and we also regularly welcome visits from a range of pets and animals as part of our activities. Make sure you stop off in our reception at our dog watering station and pick up a treat. |
| Can You Bring Your Pet |
|---|
| No |
39 Essex Hall Road
Colchester
Essex
CO1 1ZP
Regulator: CQC
| Current Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Overall | Outstanding |
| Safe | Good |
| Well Led | Outstanding |
| Caring | Outstanding |
| Responsive | Outstanding |
| Effective | Good |
| Inspection Reports | |
| Last inspected | 4th November 2020 |
| Last rated | 19th May 2018 |
| Current Report |
|
| Historic Reports |
|
| Registration Date | 15th July 2011 |
| Service Provider | Carebase (Colchester) Limited, CO1 1ZP |
Alderwood Care Home Care Home - Care Quality Commission (cqc.org.uk)
| Transport |
|---|
| Bus Stop nearby, Car Park, Car Park on-site, Train Station nearby. |
| Places of Worship |
|---|
| Anglican Church. |
| Nearby Services |
|---|
| Bank, Chemist, Church, Garden Centre, Golf Club, Hospital, Library, Local Walks & Bike Rides, Park, Post Office, Pub, Restaurant, Shopping Centre, Shops, Surgery. |
Frequently asked questions about Alderwood Care Home
The UK's largest & most detailed directory of elderly care and retirement living options
10,266
Care Homes
11,449
Home Care Services
1,686
Live-in Care Services
1,735
Retirement Living Developments
Autumna is the UK's largest and most comprehensive later-life living & elderly care directory. Our detailed search facility and team of expert advisors can help you find the best care homes, nursing homes, retirement homes, retirement villages, home care, and live-in care services for you or your loved one's needs. Our website is free to use, we are proudly independent, and we never take referral fees.
