There’s wonderful news to celebrate at The Firs in Budleigh Salterton. The home has been named one of the Top 20 Care Homes in the South West of England for 2026, as rated by carehome.co.uk.

This is the very first time The Firs has received this regional honour, making the recognition particularly special for everyone connected to the home.

What makes the Top 20 Awards so meaningful is where they come from. They are based entirely on independent reviews from residents and their families — the people who experience life in the home every single day. Their feedback, their trust and their words are what make achievements like this possible.

At The Firs, care is about the relationships built day by day — the conversations shared in the lounge, the laughter during activities, and the quiet reassurance offered when someone needs it most. It’s these everyday moments, along with the compassion and commitment of the team, that families so often reflect in their reviews.

Nikki, Home Manager at The Firs, said:

“I can’t quite put into words how proud I feel sharing this. When we found out, I genuinely had to read it twice.

What makes this award so special is that it comes directly from our residents and their families. Their feedback means everything to us.

I am incredibly proud of our team. This recognition belongs to every single member of staff who brings compassion, patience and commitment to their work each day. It’s the care, the conversations, the laughter in the lounges and the reassurance during the difficult moments that have led us here.”

One recent five-star review from Suzanne T, whose mother lives at The Firs, shared:

“The team at The Firs are so kind and caring. They work extremely hard to make sure their residents are looked after and there are plenty of activities for everyone to get involved in. Nothing is too much trouble and there is always a warm welcome. Everybody is treated as an individual, not just a number – they are brilliant!”

For the team at The Firs, this recognition is more than an award. It reflects the trust families place in them and the culture of care they work hard to nurture every day.

Achieving this regional recognition for the first time marks a proud milestone for the home — and a moment of gratitude to the residents, families and team who make The Firs such a special place to live.