Merryfields

Updated 25 August 2026

Date of the assessment: 9 and 18 June 2026. Merryfields Care Home is a residential care home providing support for up to 20 older adults living with dementia, physical disabilities and sensory needs. At the time of our inspection there were 19 people using the service. This comprehensive inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about the service, including the length of time since the last rating, which was 12 March 2018 and was rated Good At this inspection the rating remained Good.

The service provided a warm, caring and homely environment where people’s privacy, independence, choice and dignity were prompted and met. Staff treated people with kindness and knew them exceptionally well. They understood people's individual backgrounds, preferences, needs and interests, and used this knowledge to provide highly personalised care. People were encouraged to make choices about their daily lives and staff listened to and acted on their wishes.

The management and staff were committed to providing good quality of life. People's rooms and communal areas had been adapted to reflect their individual needs and preferences, helping them feel comfortable, independent and at home. People were supported to take part in a variety of social activities that matched their interests and preferences.

People and relatives were encouraged to share their views about the service. Feedback was welcomed, valued and used to make improvements. People told us they felt listened to and that their opinions mattered.

Staff wellbeing was a clear priority for leaders. Leaders were highly visible within the service and regularly checked on staff wellbeing. Staff told us they felt valued, respected and supported. Leaders recognised that staff had different needs and provided individualised support, including support for staff with neurodiverse conditions. Staff described a culture where reasonable adjustments were considered and implemented, helping them to work in ways that enabled them to thrive in their roles. This inclusive and supportive approach had a positive impact on staff wellbeing, morale and retention.

The provider had a positive learning culture and people could raise concerns. Systems helped to reduce risks of abuse and avoidable harm. The facilities and equipment met people’s needs, were clean and well-maintained and any risks mitigated. Refurbishments were continuously being planned and ongoing, while involving people who used the service.

Staffing levels were kept under review and staff received training relevant to their roles. Staff managed medicines well and safely. We identified some risks associated with medicines and the environment, these were addressed immediately.

People’s needs were assessed and they were involved in the planning of their care, as were their relatives, where appropriate. People had enough to eat and drink to stay healthy. Staff made sure people understood their care and treatment to enable them to give informed consent. Where people lacked capacity to make decisions, systems were in place for decision making in people’s best interests.

Updated 25 August 2026

We spoke with 5 people using the service and 3 relatives. We also observed the interactions between staff and people using the service.

People spoke highly about the quality of care they received and consistently described staff as kind, caring and supportive. One person told us, “Very likable I think it’s the best in the area, they do care for us.’ Relatives shared similar views and our observations confirmed this. People told us they were encouraged to make their rooms their own and had the freedom to personalise their living spaces according to their preferences. They also said relatives and friends could visit whenever they wished, helping them to maintain important relationships and connections. People and relatives spoke positively about the support provided by both staff and leaders and told us they felt safe, respected and valued.

People described the management team and staff as approachable, hardworking and caring. They told us there was a wide range of activities and opportunities available both within the service and in the local community. One person said, “A lot of activities going on all the time, I enjoy them, but don’t do all of them.’ People were supported to take part in activities that reflected their interests and preferences, while staff respected their right to choose not to participate. This helped ensure people remained in control of their daily lives and spent their time in ways that were meaningful to them.

People were actively involved in planning and reviewing their care and support. They were encouraged to express their views and make decisions about how they lived their lives. Throughout the inspection we observed staff regularly seeking people's opinions, offering choices and acting on their preferences as well as recognise their achievements. Staff knew people exceptionally well and treated them as individuals. One staff member told us, “I love the home, the ethos of the home is fantastic, we genuinely believe in our residents and enrich their lives.” This was reflected in the positive interactions we observed between people and staff.

People told us the service provided a variety of meaningful activities that supported their physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. Staff recognised the importance of keeping people engaged and connected to their interests, helping them to maintain skills, confidence and a sense of purpose. As a result, people experienced care that was highly personalised and focused on achieving positive outcomes that mattered to them.