About Us
Dalemead is a private care home registered for 49 residents who are mentally frail. Dalemead is located in a quiet, leafy residential area on the Twickenham side of Richmond Bridge close to the River Thames. It is within walking distance of local shops and amenities.
Dalemead has been running as a care home since 1942 to enable older people who were bombed out of London to continue living as independently as possible by receiving care and support consistent with their incapacities and disabilities. It was run by the Red Cross. The London County Council was then given the responsibility of running the home by the Red Cross. When the LCC was disbanded in the 60’s, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea inherited it. The current owner joined Dalemead in 1978. After managing the home for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea for 11 years, he was given the opportunity to purchase the home in 1989. Dalemead has been running as a private care home ever since. Over the years there has been a marked change in the mental condition of the established residents. In 2001, Dalemead applied for a variation in its registration category in order to care specifically for older people who are mentally frail.
Dalemead combines spacious Victorian architecture with modern comfort and conveniences. Two large, adjoining family houses have been sympathetically extended to accommodate 49 residents, who live in four separate groups. The smallest of these has eight residents and the largest seventeen. Each group has its own lounge, dining room and kitchenette and is looked after by a dedicated team of trained care staff supported by ancillary staff. This system provides a homely atmosphere for residents and encourages a sense of community within each group. It also ensures that communal facilities are close at hand for those with limited mobility. Bedrooms have en-suite facilities, are well-furnished and maintained in good decorative order. Each resident is welcome to bring with them as many of their own furnishings and possessions as their room will accommodate. There are 43 single rooms and 3 double rooms. We continue to value each and every individual, who comes to live at Dalemead.
We welcome applications from mentally frail older people from all walks of life. All residents are assured that they will be treated with respect and dignity according to their individual needs and wishes. People who enquire about our accommodation and services are provided with a brochure. All inquirers are made aware of our diversity and anti-discriminatory policies and are encouraged to visit the place before continuing with their application. They may then apply directly for a place at Dalemead, although most applications follow an assessment of need made by the local authority social services. This includes an assessment of their financial circumstances, which will determine any funding to which they may be entitled as a contribution to the costs of their accommodation and care.
Each application is given careful consideration by the home’s management and, depending on vacancies, a decision to offer a place is made within seven days. Where there is no current vacancy it is possible for an applicant to be placed on a waiting list.