Ridgegate Home was established as a registered charity in 1946. We are a not-for-profit residential care home for elderly individuals who are unable to, or have chosen not to, maintain a home of their own. The home is administered by the board of Trustees and our Registered Manager, who take a keen role in maintaining a professional care service for our elderly residents.
The property is a large detached period building situated within a residential area, standing in its own attractive grounds and having ample space for off-street parking. The home has accommodation for 23 residents, most of the rooms with en-suite facilities. The rooms are available for single occupation and are in close proximity to assisted bathing and shower facilities.
All of the rooms conform to, or are above, the Care Standards minimum space requirement, and are tastefully decorated and adequately furnished to provide an essentially cosy and elegant ambience, while always taking account of modern standards and safety requirements. There are two large suites which could comfortably accommodate either a couple, if needed, or an individual resident. Both suites have a bedroom, sitting room, en-suite WC and basin.
There is wheelchair access to the home and grounds, and an internal lift allows for movement between the floor levels.
Safeguarding means protecting the health, well-being and rights of each individual, whether they are residents, employees or volunteers, and making sure they are safe from any harm or abuse.
Ridgegate Home has a policy of continual in-depth review of our safeguarding practices, to ensure the best possible safeguards are in place, with fit-for-purpose systems that prevent, identify, and act on serious concerns should they arise. Our policies were last reviewed in 2024 and can be found below.
We have a great team of staff, headed by our board of Trustees who have overall responsibility for the charity.
The residents' welfare and wellbeing, together with the day to day administration of the Home, are in the capable hands of our experienced senior management personnel, headed by Samantha Tobin our Registered Manager.
Managers
Samantha Tobin
Angela Ballantyne
Angela Gates
Our Registered Manager is Samantha Tobin, who has managed the care home since June 2010, supported by the trustees and a dedicated team of staff experienced in caring for the elderly. Samantha and her team strive to make sure that high standards of care are met and understood by all.
Our Deputy Manager is Angela Ballantyne, who has been with the home since 2012. Angela supports the Registered Manager by ensuring the delivery of care and service meets both the needs of the residents and the legal standards required.
Our Office Manager is Angela Gates, who has responsibility for co-ordinating the financial and administrative functions within the home.
Carers
Maureen
Sandra
Michelle
Magdalene
Kate
Lewis
Akosua
Sarah
Alice
Priscilla
Abena
Toyin
Macy
Our team of Senior Carers and Carers provide day-to-day care and assistance to our residents. The home encourages continuous staff development, with most qualified to at least NVQ Level 2. Our Senior Carers have achieved the higher-level NVQ qualification in care.
Kitchen
Marcus
Alfie
Our Kitchen team plays an important role in checking with residents that their own dietary needs are catered for, and that the food is of a consistently high quality.
Housekeeping
Gemma
Jackie
Karen
Marcie
Pat
Our Housekeeping team plays a pivotal role in making sure the Home maintains high standards of cleanliness and safety.
Activities
Sue
Our activities co-ordinator provides a regular programme of events and activities designed to enhance the wellbeing of all the residents of Ridgegate Home.
Our residents have many different requirements. Some come only for a few days of respite care to give their regular carers a break. Some come for a few weeks after a period in hospital in order to regain their full strength before returning home. Some come for just day care. Many choose to make Ridgegate their permanent home.
Regardless of how long you stay with us, we want you to consider Ridgegate your home, from the moment you arrive. Our residential fees are competitive for our area, in the range between £1,000 to £1,500 per week depending on the level of care and facilities required. Read about our different care options below or contact us for more details.
Residential care is a form of long-term care that provides 24-hour assistance for those who need support with their daily living activities. This includes assistance with such activities as dressing, bathing and meal preparation. It also involves medication management, support with physical therapy, and other medical needs.
There are many and varied reasons why our residents decide to take up permanent residence with us. In general, as they have become more elderly and frail, they have been faced with greater day-to-day challenges in safely managing within their own home, or have experienced loneliness and a lack of mental and physical stimulation.
At Ridgegate Home our skilled care teams work 24 hours a day, every day, to provide the care they need, tailored to meet each individual's personal, mental and health requirements. In this way we can help them to lead a fulfilled and contented lifestyle and remain as independent as they want to be.
Respite care is temporary residential care for elderly or disabled people. It is designed to give families and carers a break from the everyday demands of providing care.
It also gives the individual a chance to experience life in the caring surroundings of Ridgegate Home, and benefit from the social activities and support available there. They will receive medical attention and help with daily tasks such as dressing and washing. This experience can be invaluable before making the decision as to whether a more permanent move would be suitable.
As a way of helping friends and family cope with the responsibilities of caring for a loved one, our respite care is a popular choice for many. We offer respite care for short periods of time, from a few days to a few weeks, and the individual can expect the same level of expert care and support as permanent residents.
Day care is an increasingly popular option for elderly and disabled individuals who need assistance with daily living. Day care programs provide a safe and nurturing environment, where individuals can receive quality care and companionship while participating in a variety of activities.
Our care staff are trained to provide individualised care and support in a way that ensures each resident feels comfortable and supported. Our staff also make sure that residents are provided with nutritious meals and snacks, and that they are given assistance with personal care needs such as dressing, grooming and bathing.
A lovely way to experience life at Ridgegate Home is to come along for the day and enjoy our quiet lounges and partake of the many services and activities we have to offer.
Perhaps our hair stylist could pamper you, or you would like to have a delicious, fresh home-cooked meal, or take part in some gentle keep fit exercises, or just sit and read and watch the world go by. There is always something on offer to tempt you.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspects health and adult social care services in England to make sure that they provide safe, high-quality care. If a service needs to improve, CQC will take action to make sure this happens.
Find out more at www.cqc.org.uk.
At the heart of what we do is your personalised care plan. Our professional care team develop the plan in conjunction with you and your family members, to evaluate your own assistance requirements. The care plan is constantly being reviewed and updated as your particular circumstances demand. In addition, the home provides a range of practical, social and health services to our residents. Read more about these below.
For our residents, social interaction is an important part of maintaining physical and mental health. Exercise is such an important part of a healthy lifestyle for everyone, regardless of age, and it is especially important for our residents to maintain a good quality of life.
Activities such as standing exercises or chair exercises, or group activities such as bingo, board games, arts and crafts, and music all help to keep residents stimulated both physically and mentally. Even if a resident is not able to take part in physical activities, their social interaction will still be beneficial.
In addition, we are always keen to celebrate events with our residents, such as our annual birthday party, held in the garden and celebrating the day Ridgegate was founded. Family and friends are always welcome to come and help us celebrate these events.
Medication is managed and dispensed by senior staff, under instructions from the residents' general practitioners. If a resident wishes to take charge of their own medication, and it is safe to do so, all help, advice and support will be provided by our staff. Every resident has the right to consult their GP as and when they wish.
We have a well qualified and experienced team of kitchen staff, who continually update their training on, and awareness of, the ever changing legislation on health and hygiene matters. Good wholesome meals of a consistent high quality are served in our bright and comfortable dining room, giving residents their favourite dishes while always being aware of any allergies.
Residents are involved in meal planning at our bi-monthly residents' meetings and any requests or changes are made to the menus at this time. Alternatives to main dishes are also available if meals on offer are not to your taste. Hot and cold drinks as well as light snacks are available 24 hours a day, and special dietary requirements are always taken into account. We are always happy to cater for your special occasions.
If you have a personal hairdresser who is happy to visit you at Ridgegate you are free to make your own arrangements. Our own hairdresser visits the home every Tuesday, and serves both ladies and gentlemen.
If you do not have your own optician, a domiciliary optician visits annually. If needed, we can also offer the services of a reliable domiciliary dental service, which visits Ridgegate every six months.
A popular service is the chiropodist who visits the home every six weeks. Charges are very reasonable and residents are invoiced separately for the service.
We have our own on-site laundry where we can wash and iron all your clothes. We make regular collections from your room and return your clothes as soon as they are ready, placing them in your wardrobe and drawers.
Ridgegate Home is a secular charity. The right of residents to hold their own religious views, or none at all, are given equal respect. For those who wish to attend a place of worship, arrangements can be made to help them do so, or local clerics are usually happy to perform an inter-denominational service within the home.
We offer our residents a regular programme of events and activities throughout the year. See below for the latest news.
Watch here for news of forthcoming events.
We are currently recruiting! We have vacancies for bank carers and a weekday kitchen utility position, with the right experience and references. If you would like to enquire about a position at the Home please contact us as below.
We are always happy to receive reviews and testimonials from our residents, their family and friends.
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