About this location
Woodpecker Lodge is located close to the market town of Ross on Wye, in Herefordshire. We offer residential support for six males and females who have a learning disability. The home is around four miles outside the town centre, set on its own grounds.
We want to provide support and supervision for the people we care for to ensure that they live a healthy, happy and enjoyable life and can enjoy independence both in the home and out in the community.
We can also support people who are autistic, and those who have:
- Mental health needs
- A physical disability
- Epilepsy
Services at a glance
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About our service
Our facilities and environment
Woodpecker Lodge is a purpose-built bungalow, which is around 20 years old. All the bedrooms are on the ground floor, with easy access for residents in wheelchairs or with walking aids.
There are also two communal bathrooms that both have separate bath and shower facilities. The second bathroom has a rise and fall bath.
In summary, we offer:
- A large lounge with plenty of seating
- Kitchen and dining room
- Utility room
- Conservatory
- Communal bathrooms
We also have large gardens, complete with:
- Secure fencing
- Lawn
- Patio
- Communal seating
- Shelter
We also have specialised equipment within the home, such as hoists and a height-adjustable bath. In addition, we have a mobility-adapted site vehicle to help us to meet the needs of the people we support.
Our bedrooms
There are six bedrooms, all of which have their own en-suite facilities with a shower. All of our bedrooms are comfortable, welcoming and can be personalised to individual tastes. Our bedrooms have:
- En-suite facilities, containing either a shower, a bath or a wet room
- Wheelchair access
Our approach to support
Everybody who lives at Woodpecker Lodge has their own person-centred care plan, which is co-produced with input from the individual, their family members and professionals involved in their care. We aim to help everyone in our care to make their own choices about the support they receive. This may include support in a number of areas, such as going out in the community, personal care, cooking and cleaning, managing finances and maintaining family relationships.
We are able to access positive behaviour support (PBS) input through Priory's internal team. We also have support from a local multidisciplinary team including dentists, opticians, psychologists and GPs. In addition, we use tools such as the Outcomes Star™ to support our residents to achieve their goals.
The lengths of the placements that we offer at Woodpecker Lodge can be medium or long-term residential, depending on the needs of each person.
Activities
Everyone who lives at Woodpecker Lodge has their own personalised activities planner and are encouraged to take part in activities which are meaningful and fulfilling to them. Our dedicated team organise a variety of activities at the home, as well as out in the community.
We focus on supporting our residents to grow their independence. For some people, this may mean developing their daily living skills within the home. For others, this could be accessing work or educational opportunities in the local community.
Exclusion profile
- Those who have a personality disorder
- Those who present a risk of absconding, due to our location near a busy dual carriageway
Pathways
Through our network of healthcare, residential and supported living facilities, we provide unique care pathways which help the people we support to progress towards greater independence. Every individual we support is provided with a bespoke pathway plan, tailored according to their individual needs. We aim to ensure that each person is supported to live a fulfilling and active life in the community.
We can support people to move into their own home in the community, through Priory Supported Living The Shires, as and when they are ready.
Our team
Our highly experienced team consists of:
- Service manager
- Deputy manager
- Support workers
- Housekeeper
- Gardener
Our team receive specialist staff training, designed to meet the needs of each individual we support. This includes Buccal Midazolam training and epilepsy awareness training.
A message from our site leader
We like to empower our residents to achieve their goals and be the best they can be, whilst living a happy enjoyable and fulfilled life. All the people we care for are treated and respected as individuals and the team strive to deliver consistent excellent quality of care -
Woodpecker Lodge’s site leader
Comments from our residents and their family and friends
It is nice living here. I like the staff and I enjoy helping in the gardens
Family and friends FAQs
How does home leave work?
Home leave often means we drop home or pick up our residents to promote home visits however this does depend on individual care packages. Some of our residents are collected by their families for special events such as holidays, Easter, and Christmas.
Can friends and families visit?
Yes, family and friends are welcome to visit the service at any time between the hours of 8am and 10pm. We do ask that we are informed in advance of all visits as some residents may become stressed or anxious when a family member or friend spontaneously turns up without prior knowledge. In the past we have had family events at the home and invited along all family members, doctors, nurses, and therapists who have input into the lives of the people we support. Unfortunately, we cannot cater for visitors to stay overnight.
Will I be involved and kept up to date with the progress of my loved one’s care and support?
Yes, we strive to have strong relationships with loved ones. Where in line with the resident’s wishes or best interests, families can receive updates from our team, either on the phone or in person.
Will my loved one be able to have a phone or call me?
Yes, we have threes cordless telephones that can be taken into any of the rooms that are not in use for privacy. We do have some residents that own and operate their own mobile phone devices. We also have a computer where the people we support can access the internet.
What are the bedrooms like?
Bedrooms are all furnished and personalised to the residents’ wishes. We have an on-site maintenance worker which means that bedrooms can be personalised or changed more frequently.
Are external doors kept locked?
No, external doors are open throughout the day and only locked between the hours of 10pm and 8am, for security reasons. All our residents can exit and enter the home freely in the garden, and there are around nine acres of land for residents to access and enjoy.
What do residents eat and how do meal times work?
At Woodpecker Lodge we have a six-week rolling food menu that is created with input from the people we support, our menus are usually changed seasonally, and we aim where possible to include everyone’s favourite meals as a choice as well as alternatives. We also have a daily living skills task board where residents have set days in which they are allocated and supported to complete meal preparation.
How does laundry work?
We have a laundry room which is accessible, and a staff can support residents to do their own laundry. We have a laundry rota in place to ensure all residents have a few days throughout the week where they can be supported to complete their laundry. Some residents can complete their laundry independently and others require an element of staff support and guidance.
Who does the housekeeping and domiciliary tasks?
We have a housekeeper who completes most domiciliary tasks, some of our residents that are able to also complete daily living tasks with support from our staff. There is a set rota in place to empower independence and ensure that with prompting and support residents are able to look after their home environment.
Is there anything they can’t bring or have?
Residents are not allowed to bring their own shop bought medications onto the premises, all medication must be prescribed by a pharmacist or purchased by the home.
How do activities work?
All our residents have a tailor-made activities planner, this includes both in house and community activities. Any spontaneous activities are evidenced in the residents’ daily notes under the activities section.
How will residents be supported with their behavioural needs?
Each individual has a behaviour section within their care plan. If prescribed as necessary, pro re nata (PRN) protocols are in place and reviewed monthly for the individual.
Do residents and families have an input into the care plans?
Everyone who stays with us is involved as much as practically possible in their support plans, those that lack capacity are still given choices and supported to make choices where they can. We try and involve close family when creating our support plans as they are the people that know and understand our residents best. Care plans are reviewed monthly by the resident’s key worker and any changes required are captured within the care plan. We also have regular key worker meetings, which ensure that care plans are up to date.
What are the car parking facilities?
We have a car park for five vehicles. There is also an overflow car park that can be used for visitors.
What is the smoking policy?
We have two designated areas for residents to smoke or to vape, smoking is not permitted outside of these areas or inside any of the buildings.
What are your fees and how are they funded?
Our fees can vary, and are based on an assessment of each individual's needs. Many people are eligible for financial help towards the cost of support, and this funding can be accessed by contacting your local authority. Once funding has been agreed, we will work with your local care team to put together a bespoke package of care. Please note, referrals for NHS or Local Authority funded services must come from a referring organisation.
How to make a referral
Our service provides high quality support to people with varying levels of need. Referrals can be made through the individual’s social care team or, if relevant, their local health authority. If you are a professional looking to make a referral, please call us or fill in our enquiry form.