Gainsborough Care Home
Discover bespoke residential care from a highly trained care team in our welcoming care home.
Gainsborough Care Home provides a safe and homely environment within a real village community. Situated in the heart of Swanage, Gainsborough is positioned within easy reach of the GP practice, village shop, bakery and cafes with the beautiful seafront just a short distance away.
After being completely refurbished to a very high standard Gainsborough is fully equipped to support people living with a range of conditions. There are 48 bedrooms across the ground floor and the first floor for people living at Gainsborough. Our first floor is fully accessible, by stairs or a lift. Our three comfortable lounges and our dining room mean there is plenty of space for group activities, or somewhere to find a quieter spot.
Our home gives options for healthy retirement living that allows you to live independently safe in the knowledge that, whatever support you require, the right support is at hand.
Gainsborough is rated ‘Good‘ overall by the Care Quality Commission, and also in all five inspection categories.
Social activities
We place great emphasis on social activities and maintaining the type of life you have had at home, whether that is a quiet and relaxed lifestyle or an active lifestyle.
We also get out and about as much as we can in our minibus. Trips to Weymouth, and fish and chips or ice creams on the Esplanade, are a big favourite! We also love visits to nearby Farmer Palmer’s and the Swanage Railway.
We love visits from animal therapy teams. We’ve welcomed birds of prey, alpacas, PAT dogs and even insects and reptiles.
Musical activities play a big part here, and our entertainers make the most of the lovely piano in our dining room. Music from the 1940s is always a big hit with our residents, and at Christmas we love to welcome the local school choir in to lead us in some of our favourite carols.
Dining
At Gainsborough Care Home you will be served freshly prepared home cooked meals by our team of expert chefs. They ensure all our meals are healthy, nutritionally balanced and, most importantly, locally sourced wherever possible. Meals are served in our superb dining room, but you also have the option for food to be served in your room for a more private dining experience.
Nutrition is an important part of the care we provide. That’s why our catering team take time to get to know your likes and dislikes before putting together a vibrant and varied menu for you to choose from.
Bedrooms
There are 48 bedrooms across the ground floor and the first floor for people living at Gainsborough. Our first floor is fully accessible, by stairs or a lift. All our rooms have ensuites or a washbasin in the room. The rooms without ensuites have accessible bathrooms or wet rooms nearby.
The bedrooms are a blank canvas for you to personalise with your own photos, pictures and furniture to help you feel at home. It also helps our care team understand what’s important to you, help in building a warm relationship. One of our residents even brought her budgie with her when she moved in.
Gardens
We are lucky enough to have a beautiful landscaped garden. You can join in outdoor activities, such as skittles, or simply enjoy the fresh sea air. Or if you prefer a more relaxing afternoon activity, we have a beautiful summer house with a seating area and coffee table inside, which you can use to read your book or entertain your family and friends.
There’s a pond and a fountain, and an area where you can plant your own bulbs and flowers. Plus, in the summer we’ll have chairs, tables and parasols out so you can relax in the sunshine.
Tour our home
Gainsborough Care Home features
We have a summer house with indoor and outdoor seating
Multiple spacious communal lounges and dining areas
Weekly hairdressing and pampering session in our salon
We have 48 bedrooms, and we encourage you to personalise yours
Delicious home-cooked meals with a 5 star food rating
Stunning garden with beautiful flower arrangements
We have a tablet for residents to use to video call family regularly
Daily activities and weekly outings
This is the first home Mum has gone into. My first contact regarding my worries about Mum was with the Deputy Manager. Instantly I became less worried. She put my mind at rest on so many issues and questions I had. I found her to be very competent with her knowledge and skills showing a great deal of experience she has. The Deputy Manager always had time for my questions and was extremely efficient with feedback. Having this kind of approachable personality wanting to put my and my family’s mind at rest. Also, the carers are well-mannered and respectable with the residents.
(September 2024)
Mum was a resident of Rochester Care Home for nearly 6 years. I cannot thank the manager and her wonderful team enough for all they did for her while she was there. She could not have been in a better place for the last years of her life. As a family, we have got to know the staff as dear friends who have always greeted us with a cheery smile and ‘gone that extra mile’ for all involved. Mum spent the last two weeks of her life receiving palliative care. She was treated with dignity and compassion. My family have felt very supported by the manager and her staff during this difficult time for which we are truly thankful. We cannot praise Rochester Care Home enough for the work they do.
(September 2024)
As soon as I stepped inside the Nursing Home I sensed a friendly caring atmosphere, and I knew that my husband would be well looked after and in safe hands. The staff could not be more professional and helpful to both my husband and myself and nothing too much bother for them. Every resident has their own room and is encouraged to bring personal belongings to make it their home. I can relax knowing that my husband is being cared for 24/7.
(September 2024)
My family member lived at the care home for a number of years, and I honestly don’t know what we would have done, as a family, without them. They were so supportive of our family as well as providing above and beyond care to my family member. I will always recommend this wonderful home to anyone!
(August 2024)
My grandad has been a resident for three weeks and the positive change in his mental health and wellbeing has been exponential. He feels safe and cared for and I am secure in the fact he is receiving quality care. The staff have been supportive and what could have been a stressful transition has in fact been surprisingly easy. I am grateful to all staff and residents who have made this more a pleasure for my grandad.
(August 2024)
My mum has been a resident for the last 2 and a bit years and during that time I have seen a huge improvement in her overall physical health. She has actually put weight on as she is getting 3 good meals a day unlike when she was living on her own, and she excepts help now when there’s a medical issue and let’s the staff get her the help that is needed medically. Before she went in she would refuse any intervention. The accommodation is very nice, the rooms are adequate for her needs, the garden area is very nice, and she has made friends. The staff are always professional and caring and residents are treated with the utmost dignity, the food is good, and plenty of it. A massive thank you to ALL the staff.
(July 2024)
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Frequently asked questions
We’re within a short distance from the beach and the shops. But if you prefer to take the bus into Swanage town centre with its library, theatre, places to eat, and the impressive Swanage Railway, we’re handily placed on the bus route.
You can also take the Number 40 in the other direction and go all the way to Poole, or even Bournemouth.
When you move in to our home, you have the option to enjoy mealtimes in the communal areas with other residents, or to enjoy some private time in your room.
Our expert chefs prepare a daily menu with nutritious options for you to choose from based on your likes and dislikes. Our chefs will always ask for feedback, and are more than willing to adapt menus.
What’s more, our care teams are always on hand to support and encourage you at mealtimes, ensuring you get the nutrition and hydration needed.
Our bespoke care and support is available for a single weekly fee. That includes care, accommodation, laundry, meals, housekeeping, social outings and more.
That means no additional charges or hidden fees, just consistent, all-inclusive support for a weekly fee.
Prior to your move in to our home, you’ll receive a free no obligation care assessment so we can understand your care needs and create a care plan that suits you best. Your family is welcome to join this process. This allows us to create a bespoke care package that allows you to have the best quality of life.
Plus, through our portal, you and your loved ones can easily check on your care with real-time updates on medication, nutrition, welfare, and more. Read notes from our care teams and keep tabs on the care you receive—all at the click of a button.
Funding may be available from your local authority. Firstly, they will check how much help and what kind of care you need: this is the needs assessment. Following on from that, the free financial assessment calculates the total cost of care and how much you’ll need to contribute.
If you don’t want a financial assessment you can choose to pay for your care home yourself – this is called self-funding.
Here at Gainsborough we offer tailored 24-hour a day respite care that allows you to continue living life your way with as much support you may need from our care team.
This could be a one-off stay, to give a regular family carer a much-needed break, or a regular arrangement to give you variety in your care. Our personalised care can last as long as you need it to and can start within 24-hours.
Yes, we are delighted to welcome visitors into our home. Once you become a resident at our home, there are no set visiting hours, so your family and friends are free to come and go as much as they want.