About Us

Abbottswood Lodge provides care and support for adults aged 18 and over and for people with wide ranging autistic spectrum disorders and learning disabilities in separate facilities. Learning disabilities include Aspergers, Down’s syndrome, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Sensory (Visual/Hearing)  Impairment, Dyslexia etc.

Abbottswood Lodge is a large 19th century house set in three acres of gardens and woodland and situated near the church and on the edge of the village of Swanton Abbott. We treat our residents as individuals and believe in the concept of Person Centered Care. We believe that each individual, their family and carer should be placed at the centre of assessing their own needs and give them real choices about how their needs are met. The Home’s rural location gives residents a sense of peace and well being.  However, for the more active the Home is equipped with a gym, suite of WiFi enabled computers and an arts and crafts room  and it is located about 20 minutes away from the beach. Activities residents can participate in range from art, drama, woodwork, sewing, music and dance in the Home.  The Home’s car is used for trips in the local area, such as the zoo, shops, local fetes, gardening centres, etc.

Facilities

Abbottswood Lodge is tastefully decorated and features TV lounges and a sensory room. The residents are able to relax in the lounges or the dining room. We have a fully equipped gym on site for the residents use.  Each resident’s room is their own, and they are encouraged to bring photographs, pictures, ornaments and any other personal items to make their bedroom feel like home. All the rooms are fitted with thermostatic radiators and smoke detectors.

The home is attended by experienced hair stylists and qualified chiropodists. The home vehicle is used to make trips to the events, shopping, fetes, etc in the local area. Religious services of different denominations are also available.

The home is visited frequently by a charity registered pet dog.  Additional services such as optical and dental appointments can be arranged as well.  Respite care is provided to give the family carers a short-term break.

Food and Dining

We recognise the importance of a balanced, nutritious diet. We offer a wide range of dishes on our daily menu. The meals are made using only the finest ingredients and fresh local produce.

Residents can dine in our spacious dining room or in their own rooms. Our cooks are trained to cater for all kinds of special dietary needs.

Social Activities

At Abbottswood Lodge we encourage residents to partake in a variety of activities. The activities range from painting, board games, cards, quizzes, music, to indoor skittles.

As an integral part of the local community, we frequently have visits from musicians and choir singers from local schools. Our residents regularly go off site to do shopping and for visits to local areas. These are fully supported by staff.

Our Staff

One of the great benefits of our home is that long serving staff develop excellent relationships with residents and their families.

The home is run under the management of Frances Dawney. Frances has a BA (Hons) in Professional Studies and a Fda in Care Management. She has over 9 years experience in individuals with Mental Health issues and Learning Disabilities. 

We take pride in recruiting staff who have a passion for caring and working with individuals with learning disabilities. We aim to develop all staff with the skills and competencies they need to support the residents in leading a full and purposeful life.

The home adopts a ’key worker’ practice, where a member of the staffing team takes interest in a particular resident and offers support and friendship.