Residents with mental health needs at Wrexham care home ‘happy’ and ‘supported’, inspection finds

A Wrexham-based care home that provides support to individuals with mental health needs has been praised for its work following an unannounced visit by Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW).

The regulatory body carried out an inspection at Priory Fairhome, on Fairy Road, in August 2024.

The facility is a residential and nursing home for 23 people with mental health support needs and a range of other conditions.

It provides support to people with acquired brain injuries (ABI), learning disabilities, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression and epilepsy.

The home aims to support residents with their rehabilitation so they can move back into the community, with staff working to ensure residents are able to live happy and fulfilled lives.

During its visit Care Inspectorate Wales concluded that residents with mental health needs at the Wrexham care home are ‘happy’, ‘safe’ and ‘supported to achieve personal goals’.

Inspectors from the regulator, who issued a new report after August’s unannounced inspection, said: “People are very happy with the care and support provided at Fairhome. People spoke positively about the service and could not think of any ways the service could improve.

“People told us they feel safe at the service and said all staff are friendly and approachable.

“People are involved in the ongoing development of their care and support and work closely with their allocated key worker to review their personal goals.

“People are supported to do what matters to them, including pursuing hobbies, education and employment opportunities.

“The service supports people to manage their health and well-being, including accessing relevant health services.

“People receive support in an environment with facilities which promote the achievement of their personal outcomes.”

Priory Fairhome is part of a conservation area; its Victorian building was previously home to the Welsh Football Association before it was converted into a 23 bed residential home in the 1980s.

Residents have access to two communal lounges, a main kitchen and a rehabilitation kitchen, a games room with a pool table, games console, dartboard and arts and crafts materials, as well as gardens which they help to maintain.

The CIW report also said: “The service provider continues to invest in the service and has further plans to improve the building and facilities available for people living at the service.

“Care staff are supported in their roles and are enthusiastic about working at the service. They are supported to access regular training and qualifications to progress in their roles. They spoke positively about the support provided from management.

“The Responsible Individual has good oversight of the service and is eager to further improve the home.”

It also notes that the “accommodation provided enables people to maintain their independence” with people receiving “support in an environment with facilities which promote the achievement of their personal outcomes.”

Christine Keyse, Priory adult care managing director, said: “We’re really proud of the team at Priory Fairhome, who go above and beyond to provide the very best care and support to each and every resident. It’s especially pleasing to see this report confirm how happy our residents are.”

Anna Bradley, home manager, said: “We’re privileged to support some wonderful people who make us smile, bring us joy, and deserve to live their lives to the full. We’re glad to hear that CIW inspectors could see what a very special place Fairhome is.”

Priory is the UK’s largest independent provider of mental health and adult social care services.

It treats more than 70 conditions, including depression, anxiety, addictions and eating disorders, as well as children’s mental health, across its nationwide network of sites.

Priory also supports autistic adults and adults with a learning disability, Prader-Willi Syndrome and brain injuries, as well as older people, within specialist residential care and supported living facilities – helping as many people as possible to live their lives.