It’s the care that counts
Compassionate, person-centred care is always at the heart of everything we do
Not-for-profit, always for care
Care South is a not-for-profit charity and leading provider of care homes and care at home services across the south of England.
Find your nearest Care South location
If you’re looking for care for yourself or a loved one, then help is close by. Our warm and welcoming staff provide high-quality care in communities across Dorset, Devon and Somerset.
Wherever you are in your care journey, we’re here to support you
Care homes
Our friendly care homes offer a safe and nurturing environment with a home from home feel.
Our fully managed developments offer a safe way to maintain independence for older people.
Reach out today to begin your journey to high-quality care
All homes rated Good by CQC
We are regulated by the independent Care Quality Commission (CQC) whose role as an independent regulator is to register health and adult social care service providers in England and to check, through inspection and ongoing monitoring, that standards are being met.
This essential national regulator offers a helpful, reassuring snapshot of each specific registered service. At Care South however, our commitment to providing the best possible care 24/7 365 days a year goes further.
Ongoing, accountable, internal audits
The Board and Executive team work closely together to create a safe and caring environment for staff, residents and Care at Home clients alike whilst adhering to the highest of standards.
To ensure these standards are not only met, but exceeded, Care South homes benefit from experienced regional operations teams who are supported by multiple central functions, such as property managers, catering managers, dementia and clinical specialists. There is also a dedicated a care quality team, completing full internal audits (similar to that of a CQC report) at every home on a quarterly basis.
The combination of these internal assessments alongside external assessments can provide reassurance to residents and families that they are receiving the most up to date and best possible care.
Recognised as a Top 20 Care Home provider
This accolade is important to us as it is based on reviews from residents in our care, their families and friends. It is testament to all our care home teams who go above and beyond to ensure our homes are welcoming places where residents feel cared for, respected and supported as individuals.
All reviews are independently verified by a third party so you can feel reassured that what you read is a true reflection of our care and support.
Always high-quality care
Providing high-quality, compassionate care tailored to each individual to enable them to thrive.
Food, Fun and Friendship
Our residents continue living rich and fulfilled lives, doing what they love, with the people they love, enjoying Food, Fun and Friendship together.
Our chefs serve freshly prepared, seasonal food, that looks great and tastes even better!
Our homes are places to enjoy life and continue with hobbies and pastimes, within a vibrant community.
Our homes bring people together, through spending quality time with loved ones or by making new friendships.
Care as individual as you are
We can offer as little or as much help as you or your loved one needs. From residential care to dementia care, our dedicated team will tailor the support to suit each person’s individual needs and preferences.
Enjoy the comforts of home, in a friendly community, with help on hand for assistance with day-to-day tasks.
Recuperate or enjoy respite or a short stay in one of our welcoming homes, with extra support available if you need it.
Holistic, compassionate care by our highly trained team, enables each resident with dementia to live with dignity and respect.
24-hr care and peace of mind knowing that all your medical needs will be taken care of by our experienced nursing team.
Our people, our culture, our values
Our trustees, leadership team and care teams are all guided and inspired by our HEART values of honesty, excellence, approach, respect and teamwork.
Find out who’s on our Board of Trustee Directors, their career backgrounds and what inspires them to be a part of Care South.
Meet our leaders and discover more about their roles and responsibilities at Care South.
We’re proud of our inclusive culture, where everyone is valued and we celebrate what makes each of us unique.
At Care South our values define who we are and guide us in everything we do together.
Caring today and tomorrow
Reinvesting our profits not only ensures high-quality care for our current residents, but it also protects the wellbeing of future generations that will need care and support.
What our residents and families say about Care South
Our testimonials are taken from carehome.co.uk, the leading independent third party review site for the care sector.
Testimonials from residents and relatives
Residents in our care lead rich and fulfilling lives and we want to keep it that way through plenty of Food, Fun and Friendship. Find out more about what residents in our care think of life at Care South.
Latest news and updates
Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show
Summer Fayre at Alexandra House
Summer Fayre at Kenwith Castle
Castle Dene Men's Shed
🌊 A seaside adventure for Dorset House! 🍦
Residents enjoyed a wonderful day out in Swanage, starting with a picnic on the seafront, plenty of conversation and some time simply watching the world go by.
There were lots of laughs when some cheeky seagulls helped themselves to a sandwich from a nearby rucksack! 😂 Laura even braved a paddle in the sea, although our residents were quite happy keeping their feet on dry land!
No trip to the seaside would be complete without an ice cream, followed by some good old-fashioned fun on the 2p machines in the arcade. 🪙🍦
A lovely day of sunshine, laughter and Food, Fun and Friendship. 💙
Read more: www.care-south.co.uk/dorset-house-residents-enjoy-a-seaside-day-out-in-swanage/
#DorsetHouse #CareSouth #swanage #dorset #seasidetrip #CareHomeActivities #makingmemories #FoodFunAndFriendship
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⛵ A special wish comes true on Poole Harbour 💙
Chrissie, a resident at Alexandra House in Parkstone, returned to the water to relive happy memories of sailing during her time in the RAF.
Thanks to Poole Yacht Club , Chrissie joined an all-women crew aboard Peggy Pepper for one of their Summer Series races around Poole Harbour. And she proved to be a lucky passenger, with the crew finishing third! 🥉
“I felt at home on the boat. I was a bit scared, but I managed to keep my cool. It was thrilling!”
The experience was organised as part of Care South’s Make a Wish initiative, helping residents reconnect with the hobbies, people and places that mean the most to them.
A huge thank you to Poole Yacht Club and the Peggy Pepper crew for helping make Chrissie’s sailing wish come true. ⛵💙
Read More: www.care-south.co.uk/parkstone-care-home-residents-brings-luck-to-all-women-crew-during-special-s...
#CareSouth #AlexandraHouse #MakeAWish #Poole #Parkstone #PooleHarbour #FoodFunFriendship
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🌟 Congratulations to our July Employee of the Month! 🌟
We’re delighted to celebrate Chanine Brooks, who has been named Employee of the Month at Buxton House in recognition of her continued commitment to providing outstanding care to our residents. 💙
Chanine has also been incredibly welcoming to the new carers who have recently joined our team, helping them settle into life at Buxton House with kindness, patience and encouragement.
Her colleagues describe her as “kind, informative and supportive”, qualities that shine through in the positive difference she makes to both our residents and her fellow team members every day.
A huge congratulations and thank you to Chanine for your dedication, compassion and for being such a wonderful example to those around you. Very well deserved! 👏💐
Find out more about Careers at Care South: www.care-south.co.uk/careers/
#BuxtonHouse #CareSouth #EmployeeOfTheMonth #CareTeam #CareCareers #Teamwork #CelebratingOurTeam
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💙 A very special return to Poole Hospital for Pam 💙
Elizabeth House resident Pam enjoyed an emotional reunion at Poole Hospital, where she worked for 13 years.
Joined by her husband Ian and the Elizabeth House team, Pam returned to the cardiology department to meet former colleagues Athena and Karen, revisit her old clinic room and reminisce about her career carrying out ECGs and supporting patients. 🏥
The visit was arranged through our Make a Wish initiative, helping residents reconnect with the people, places and experiences that mean the most to them. ✨
A wonderful day filled with memories, friendship and a very special reunion.
Read More: www.care-south.co.uk/poole-care-home-residents-special-reunion-with-hospital-colleagues/
#ElizabethHouse #CareSouth #makeawish #poole #makingmemories
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🌾 We're heading to the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show! 🐑
We're delighted to be attending the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 August, and we'd love to see ewe there!
As proud sponsors of the Minority & Traditional Sheep Championship, we're looking forward to celebrating everything that makes this fantastic event so special, from farming and local food to community spirit and country life.
Whether you're already part of the Fern Brook Lodge family, considering care for yourself or a loved one, or simply enjoying a day at the show, we'd be delighted to welcome you to Stand I6. Come along for a chat – we promise it'll be a baa-rilliant opportunity to meet the team and find out more about life at Fern Brook Lodge and our commitment to Food, Fun and Friendship. 💙
📍 Stand I6
📅 Wednesday 19 & Thursday 20 August 2026
📍 Turnpike Showground, Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 9PL
Don't be sheepish – pop by and say hello. We can't wait to meet you! 👋
#GillinghamAndShaftesburyShow #FernBrookLodge #CareSouth #FoodFunFriendship #DorsetEvents #Community
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🎉 A double celebration for Nadine at Buxton House! 💙
Recently we celebrated the fantastic achievements of our Care Team Leader, Nadine Purnell, who has reached an incredible 15 years of service with Care South! 👏
But that wasn’t the only reason to celebrate. Nadine has also achieved a distinction in her Level 3 Adult Care Worker qualification. 🌟
Nadine began her Care South journey as a Care Assistant and, with training, qualifications and support along the way, has progressed to become a Care Team Leader at Buxton House.
Her achievements are a wonderful example of where a career in care can take you, and we’re delighted to recognise the dedication and commitment she has shown over the past 15 years.
Congratulations, Nadine, on two brilliant achievements! Here’s to many more happy years at Buxton House. 🥂💙
Find out more about careers with Care South: www.care-south.co.uk/careers/
#BuxtonHouse #CareSouth #CareerInCare #CareerProgression #LongService #CareTeam #CareCareers
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🌾 We're heading to the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show! 🐑
We're delighted to be attending the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 August, and we'd love to see ewe there!
As proud sponsors of the Minority & Traditional Sheep Championship, we're looking forward to celebrating everything that makes this fantastic event so special, from farming and local food to community spirit and country life.
Whether you're already part of the Fern Brook Lodge family, considering care for yourself or a loved one, or simply enjoying a day at the show, we'd be delighted to welcome you to Stand I6. Come along for a chat – we promise it'll be a baa-rilliant opportunity to meet the team and find out more about life at Fern Brook Lodge and our commitment to Food, Fun and Friendship. 💙
📍 Stand I6
📅 Wednesday 19 & Thursday 20 August 2026
📍 Turnpike Showground, Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 9PL
Don't be sheepish – pop by and say hello. We can't wait to meet you! 👋
#GillinghamAndShaftesburyShow #FernBrookLodge #CareSouth #FoodFunFriendship #DorsetEvents #Community
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🚤 A Wickmeads adventure on the water! ☀️
Our residents were delighted when Hudson, our Activity Lead, revealed the plans for their latest summer adventure: a picnic in Poole Park followed by a boat trip around beautiful Poole Harbour! 💙
The day began with a delicious picnic prepared by our chef, enjoyed beside the water with the ducks, swans and some particularly friendly geese for company. 🦢 Pip had a wonderful time chatting away to the geese, who seemed very interested in everything she had to say!
After lunch, it was time for the main event. We headed to Poole Quay to board the Friends of Dolphin boat and set sail around the harbour. ⛵
Residents enjoyed views of Brownsea Island and Sandbanks, waved to fellow sailors and even found themselves alongside an impressive cruise liner visiting the port. The sight sparked lots of wonderful conversations about past cruises, holidays and places everyone would still love to visit.
After a fantastic afternoon, we returned home happy, tired and full of stories.
As Sylvia walked back into Wickmeads, she had just one question for Hudson...
"When is the next adventure?" 😊
Something tells us there are plenty more to come!
Food, Fun and Friendship at its very best. 💙
Find out more about life at Wickmeads: www.care-south.co.uk/wickmeads-residents-set-sail-for-an-adventure-around-poole-harbour/
#Wickmeads #CareSouth #FoodFunAndFriendship #PooleHarbour #Poole #CareHomeActivities #MakingMemories
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Care South insights
Our biannual guide for local communities, sharing who we are and offering helpful information and tips for those considering care for themselves or a loved one.