Care Homes
Turning Point - Brickfields Cottage
Hare Street Road,Buntingford, Buntingford SG9 0AB
Overview
Turning Point is a national UK charity that provides integrated drug and alcohol treatment services, along with mental health and recovery support. Brickfields Cottage in Buntingford is one of their residential treatment facilities, located in rural Hertfordshire.
This facility provides residential rehabilitation and recovery services for individuals struggling with substance abuse issues. The cottage-based setting offers a therapeutic environment where clients can access structured programmes, counselling, and support aimed at achieving long-term recovery. The programme typically combines detoxification, psychological therapy, and practical life skills training to help residents rebuild their lives.
The service is available to adults aged 18 and over who are motivated to address their addiction and make positive changes. Turning Point operates across England and Wales, with a reputation for compassionate, evidence-based treatment. Individuals interested in accessing services at Brickfields Cottage can contact Turning Point directly through their main offices for referrals and to discuss suitability for their programmes. The organisation works with health services and local authorities to support individuals through their recovery journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Turning Point - Brickfields Cottage in Buntingford may provide residential care (help with daily activities like washing, dressing, meals, and companionship), nursing care (24-hour care from registered nurses for complex medical needs), dementia care (specialist support for residents with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia), and respite care (short-term stays to give regular carers a break). Contact 01763 289230 to find out exactly which services are available.
Care home fees vary depending on the type of care needed. In the UK, the average cost is approximately £700-1,000 per week for residential care and £900-1,400 per week for nursing care, though this varies by region and provider. Your local council will carry out a financial assessment to determine whether you qualify for council funding. If your assets (including property) are above the capital threshold, you may need to self-fund. NHS Continuing Healthcare funding may be available for those with a primary health need. Contact 01763 289230 for current fees at Turning Point - Brickfields Cottage.
Turning Point - Brickfields Cottage is inspected and rated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and social care in England. The CQC rates care homes as Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, or Inadequate across five domains: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, and Well-Led. You can view the full inspection report for Turning Point - Brickfields Cottage on the CQC website at cqc.org.uk. Ask Turning Point - Brickfields Cottage about their most recent inspection outcome.
Yes, Turning Point - Brickfields Cottage welcomes prospective residents and their families to visit and see the home before making a decision. A visit allows you to see the rooms, communal areas, and gardens, meet staff and current residents, ask questions about care, activities, and daily routine, and get a feel for the atmosphere. Call 01763 289230 to arrange a visit. It is recommended to visit at different times of day and more than once.
If you have a concern, raise it with the care home manager at Turning Point - Brickfields Cottage first. If the issue is not resolved, you can contact the local authority adult social care team, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) if you believe care standards are not being met, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman for complaints about council-funded care, or an independent advocacy service for support with making a complaint.
Yes, Turning Point - Brickfields Cottage may offer short-term respite stays, typically from a few days to a few weeks, to give regular carers a well-deserved break. Respite care can be arranged privately or funded by the local authority following a carer's assessment. Contact 01763 289230 to check availability, costs, and how to arrange a respite stay.
Turning Point - Brickfields Cottage provides three freshly prepared meals daily plus snacks, tea, and coffee. The kitchen caters for dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, gluten-free, diabetic, soft/pureed (for swallowing difficulties), and fortified meals. Residents can choose from a menu, and staff assist those who need help with eating. Mealtimes are social occasions, and residents can eat in the dining room or their own room.
Staff at Turning Point - Brickfields Cottage hold relevant qualifications including the Care Certificate (minimum standard for new care workers), NVQs/diplomas in Health and Social Care, registered nurse qualifications (for nursing homes), dementia awareness training, safeguarding training, first aid, and moving and handling. The CQC inspects staffing levels and training as part of their assessment. Ask Turning Point - Brickfields Cottage about their staff-to-resident ratios and training programmes.
Turning Point - Brickfields Cottage can provide compassionate end-of-life (palliative) care in partnership with the resident's GP, district nurses, and specialist palliative care teams. Care focuses on comfort, dignity, pain management, emotional and spiritual support, and involving family members. Many residents prefer to remain in the familiar surroundings of the care home rather than transfer to hospital. Advance care planning helps ensure the resident's wishes are respected.
Turning Point - Brickfields Cottage encourages family and friends to visit regularly. Many care homes now offer flexible visiting with no set hours, though some may ask visitors to avoid mealtimes. Contact 01763 289230 for current visiting arrangements. Visitors are always welcome and play an important role in residents' wellbeing.
If a resident's needs change, Turning Point - Brickfields Cottage will review and update their care plan. If the home can accommodate increased needs (for example, by arranging additional nursing support), the resident can stay. If needs exceed what the home can safely provide, staff will work with the family, GP, and local authority to find a suitable alternative, such as a nursing home or hospital. Regular care plan reviews (at least every 6 months) ensure care remains appropriate.
Turning Point - Brickfields Cottage provides a programme of activities designed to promote wellbeing, social interaction, and enjoyment. Activities may include arts and crafts, music and singing, gentle exercise and chair yoga, gardening, games and quizzes, film screenings, outings and trips, visiting entertainers, pet therapy, reminiscence sessions, and celebration of birthdays and cultural events. Activity coordinators tailor programmes to residents' interests and abilities.
Some care homes allow small pets such as budgies or fish, though this varies. Turning Point - Brickfields Cottage may also welcome visiting pets and organise pet therapy sessions with animals. Having animals around can boost mood and reduce loneliness. Contact 01763 289230 to discuss pet policies.
Yes, Turning Point - Brickfields Cottage encourages residents to personalise their rooms with familiar items from home. You can bring photographs, ornaments, a favourite chair, bedding, small pieces of furniture, a radio or TV, and personal toiletries. This helps create a comfortable, homely environment. Large items should be discussed with the care home in advance. Valuables should be kept to a minimum — ask about secure storage.