Mill View - Cambridge

Helen M.

My association with Mill View (bpha) began in the summer of 2020 when my mom moved in during the COVID lockdown. Allied were the care providers at that time until Cera Care took over that responsibility. Mill View is a beautiful block of retirement apartments providing luxury, spacious accommodation with exceptionally comfortable communal lounges and a high-quality restaurant. There is also a roof garden, laundry, hairdressers and regular social activities.
Kayleigh is the manager of Mill View (on behalf of bpha) working alongside Sandra (manager – Cera Care) and an absolutely fantastic team of carers. The carers looked after my mom with dedication and compassion providing what can only be described as an excellent level of care. All carers are extremely capable, reliable, friendly and professional. They have regularly ‘gone the extra mile’ when caring for my mom, providing an outstanding level of care.
In the last three months as mom’s health deteriorated, she had three falls in quick succession requiring two hospital admissions (the latest of which included in a broken hip). The hard work and commitment of Sandra and her team to mom’s wellbeing and safety has enabled me to relax in a way that hadn’t been possible prior to her living at Mill View. I knew (and could check this at any time on the App) that her regular care visits (four times daily), any extra care needs and any emergencies were dealt with competently and efficiently.
Unfortunately, following her most recent hospital admission, mom’s needs have new reached the point where twenty-four-hour care in a residential dementia unit is needed. I was incredibly sad to have to move her from Mill View as I had sincerely hoped that she would live out her days there where she was warm, safe, happy, content and so very well cared for. When I told the carers that mom would not be returning to Mill View, I was touched to see that they were visibly affected by the news which is testament to their genuine compassion and feelings for her as a person and not just as a client.
Thank you, Kayleigh, Sandra, the carers and all other Mill View staff for the way you cherished my lovely mom – you are all appreciated.

Lisa G.

My sisters and I moved my mother to Mill View 3 years ago, and without a doubt it's the best thing we could have done for her. It is still very much her home, and most definitely not a 'care home'.

The flat and the building are perfect for the retired and especially for those who need care. The BPHA team take great care of the building, which has a restaurant for residents, communal lounges, a shop and hairdressers. My mother enjoys a variety of freshly cooked lunches everyday from the restaurant, who know her favourites. They recently hosted a Christmas Party for the residents with a visiting choir, which my mother really enjoyed.

Cera Care are the in-house healthcare providers who have looked after my mother since being there; I can honestly say that they have been truly wonderful (especially as the care industry gets such a bad rep). Unable to do anything for herself, the team take care of all her needs from morning til night, and know when she's not feeling 100% or in need of medical assistance. The team also have an understanding of what will help them look after her, and as an example, they have been great at liaising directly with occupational therapy. Also, having the carers on-hand 24 hours a day gives me and my sisters immense peace of mind.

I would highly recommend Mill View!

Meryl H.

Why did our family choose supported living at Mill View for 3 older members of our family who have very different needs.
Firstly, Mill View is a great location for an active mature person! It is situated near a leading teaching hospital, Waitrose and central Cambridge with the River Cam and Trumpington Meadows available for walks from the doorstep. It is well-connected by road and has free parking which makes it easy for us to visit our family.
The flats are well-designed for independent living to continue for as long as possible. Each flat has a private terrace or balcony and many are beautifully decorated with pots of plants and bird tables. They have wide doorways and easy to use wet rooms.
There are beautiful communal gardens, lounges, laundry and bathing facilities and a on-site restaurant with a fantastic view from its terrace. Together our family have enjoyed a glass of something chilled sitting on the terrace in warm weather.
Kayleigh from BPHA (the owners of the building) is kind, approachable and diligently attends to keeping the building and its facilities running smoothly.
Most of all, we chose Mill View for its on-site caring services managed really well by Sandra. All the carers at Mill View are lovely, kind, pleasant and polite people who work hard. The service offers support in a variety of ways. You arrange the care that is needed. Initially, it may be limited to help taking the rubbish out. If necessary, it maybe a comprehensive care package for those who are poorly or recovering from ill-health. This support is available at Mill View in an emergency at any time of the day or night. What a comfort that is when we are working or away on holiday to know that there is support available to our family, especially in a crisis.
Notwithstanding the national shortage of carers, our experience at Mill View is that Sandra and Kayleigh have always managed to provide the support our family have needed. We are very grateful for that and we have enormous respect for all those who make Mill View a place our family enjoys.

Dominic M.

My loved one lives at Mill View, and I searched throughout Cambs but also nationally for a two-bed apartment in an independent living scheme, but kept coming back to Mill View. My relative has been here for a year and loves it.

Admittedly, the moving-in procedure on the part of the housing association was a little disjointed, but they quickly arranged to resolve snags through their punctual, polite and professional handyman. He's since helped instal curtain rails and all sorts of other little jobs.

The building is very well run and for the standing fees, excellent value. I say this as someone who now visits care homes and independent living complexes for a living with the ambulance service.

Mill View is NOT however, a care home and yes, residents and their families must arrange for care separately. In our case, we used Cera Care (who run the 24/7 care cover there) and their carers are brilliant. I have seen their commitment not only with my relative but also with other residents (when I have had to visit them while working on an ambulance). They have reported issues to me and suggested changes in care plans to manage those changes; they've been proactive and that, for me, counts a lot.

I've been spurned on today to write this review because I was at Mill View a few hours ago. I decided to test my loved one's fire alarm. Five seconds after pushing the test button, I received a call through the Care Line to make sure everything was OK! And while talking to them to say it was just a test, there was a loud knock on the door - it was the Day Manager, Kayleigh! All within seconds of my testing the alarm!

To me this shows Kayleigh's commitment to care. The Cera Carers are also committed to quality and personalised care. For me and my loved one, this means we have peace of mind and confidence that there is always someone on hand to help if there is ever an emergency.

If there is one small way I would improve Mill View, it would be to arrange for more social events or open the top-floor patio garden for residents who want to do some gardening.

Otherwise, Mill View is 150metres from the River Cam for relaxing walks by the river, and bus stops into Cambridge. It's 3miles from Addenbrooke's Hospital. The on-site hairdresser offers discounts for residents, and the local shopkeeper is friendly and also keeps on eye out on my loved one who he knows by name.

All in all, we are really chuffed with Mill View, its management, the carers, and the canteen staff and their brilliant food.

Marion W.

Millview is a nice place to retire to with a shop and hairdressers onsite, but think very carefully if you're going to need care in your advancing years as the onsite contracted company is certainly not the best. We have just had to move our parents out after many stressful and frustrating months. All seemed well in the beginning but after good staff left it all went downhill.

Paul C.

Lovely spacious retirement Hotel,very luxurious and well layed out inside.Very acsessable and plenty of parking.Very secure building,several access security features.

Debbie B.

This place is run unprofessional no training given discrimination treat residents bad n uncaring like piccadilly circus never been place this should b closed down the 1 caring person they had got rid of cos of her disabilities n cctv 3 of them that how trusting they are

Pam G.

Not enough buses