Forge House
Forge House is a residential care home in Chatham, Kent (ME5 9LY). It holds a CQC rating of Good.
About Forge House
We at Forge House are proud to offer warm, person centred residential care in the heart of Chatham, Kent. As a dedicated residential care home, we provide a safe and welcoming environment where adults of all ages can feel truly at home, supported by a team who genuinely care about their wellbeing. Nestled within the ME postcode area of Chatham, our home enjoys a setting that combines the familiarity of a close knit community with easy access to the wider amenities of Kent and the South East. The local surroundings allow residents to remain connected to the area they know and love, whilst families benefit from a location that is straightforward to visit. Inside, we have created a homely atmosphere where comfort, dignity, and a sense of belonging shape everyday life. Our care reflects the diverse needs of the people we support. We provide tailored residential care for older people, alongside specialist support for younger adults, individuals living with a learning disability or autism, and those navigating mental health challenges. We also support people recovering from eating disorders and those affected by alcohol or drug misuse. In practice, this means our approach is never one size fits all. Each resident is welcomed as an individual, with a care plan that recognises their personal history, preferences, and aspirations. For families, this brings reassurance that their loved one is being seen, heard, and supported with compassion and expertise, whether they require long term residential care or more specialised support during a particularly vulnerable chapter of their life. We understand that choosing a care home is one of the most important decisions a family can make, which is why transparency matters to us. Our most recent Care Quality Commission inspection awarded Forge House an overall rating of Good, with Good ratings across the Safe, Effective, Caring, and Responsive domains. The Well led domain was rated as Requires Improvement, and we view this honestly as an area where we continue to listen, learn, and strengthen our practice. For families, the consistent Good ratings across the day to day experience of care reflect the warmth, safety, and responsiveness that residents encounter from our team. If you are exploring care options for yourself or a loved one in Chatham or the wider Kent area, we warmly invite you to get in touch with Forge House. We would be delighted to answer your questions, share more about life in our home, and help you feel confident that your family member will be cared for with the kindness and respect they deserve.
Care provided at Forge House
- Older person care
- Mental health care
- Learning disability and autism support
- Younger adults care
- Eating disorder support
- Substance misuse support
- Respite care
- Last CQC inspection: 10 December 2019
Read the full inspection report on the CQC website.
How Forge House compares in Maidstone
Measured against the 40 care homes for older people registered in Maidstone. The dark dot is this home.
- Size
- 6 places. Smaller than 37 of the 40 homes. The local average is 44 places.
- CQC rating
- Good. 29 of the 40 homes (73%) are rated Good or Outstanding. Across Kent the figure is 68%.
- Latest report
- 10 December 2019. 28 of the 40 homes have published a newer inspection report since.
- Registered
- January 2011. 28 of the 40 homes registered more recently.
Powered by Orrery Intelligence. Data: CQC register and Food Standards Agency ratings. Counts cover registered care homes for older people in Maidstone.
The local picture: Maidstone
What the numbers say about care for older people in Maidstone, in Kent.
What care costs in Kent, per week
| Type of care | What the council pays | What self-funders are typically asked |
|---|---|---|
| Residential care | £1,187 | £1,409 to £1,600 (Middle half of prices from 22 Kent homes. Median £1,500.) |
| Nursing care | £1,378 | £1,550 to £1,865 (Middle half of prices from 11 Kent homes. Median £1,605.) |
| Residential dementia care | Not published separately | £1,500 to £1,619 (Middle half of prices from 18 Kent homes. Median £1,500.) |
| Nursing dementia care | Not published separately | £1,975 to £2,226 (South East figure, because too few Kent homes publish this price. 37 homes. Median £2,050.) |
Published prices are often starting prices, and come from homes that publish fees, so treat them as a guide. Ask the home for its own price.
- People aged 75 and over: 19,200. Rising to 22,400 by 2035, up 17%
- People aged 85 and over: 5,200. Rising to 7,900 by 2035, up 54%
- Living with dementia, aged 65 and over (estimate): 2,500. Rising to 3,200 by 2035, up 28%
- Dementia diagnosis rate: 65%. The NHS ambition is 67%. Kent as a whole is 62%.
- Care home beds per 1,000 people aged 75+: 79. Kent average is 77.
- Care homes, last 12 months: 0 opened, 0 closed. 4 changed owner, covering 174 beds.
- Care home beds filled across Kent: 88%. The 12 month average is 88%.
- Who pays, across Kent (estimate): 35% council, 43% self. The rest is NHS funded or other.
Planned and recent building work within 5 miles
- 0.7 miles: Land Adjacent To 419 Walderslade Road Walderslade Chatham Medway. Application for a 35 bed nursing home. Submitted 16 June 2026. Decision not yet recorded.
- 1.4 miles: Land South Of Innovation Centre Medway Maidstone Road Chatham Medway. Application for a 80 bed care home. Submitted 1 July 2026. Decision not yet recorded.
- 2.8 miles: 6 Capstone Road Lordswood Chatham Medway. Application for a 6 bed care home through a change of use. Submitted 15 October 2025. Decision not yet recorded.
Powered by Orrery Intelligence. Market model built 22 October 2026 (ONS 2022 based population projections, dementia estimates, CQC register), published care home prices, council planning records.
Good to know about Forge House
Facts from public registers, and what is close by.
- Registered with CQC
- 14 January 2011, so 15 years.
- Run by
- Forge House Care Ltd, which runs this service only.
Sources: CQC register, Food Standards Agency, OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances are in a straight line from the postcode, not walking or driving routes.
Local services near Forge House
The closest places to this home, measured in a straight line from its postcode. They are the nearest, not necessarily the ones the home uses. Ask the home which GP, dentist and pharmacy its residents are registered with.
Nearest 24 hour A&E
- Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham, 3.5 miles away
It is about 3.5 miles in a straight line from the postcode. The drive is usually longer. In an emergency call 999; the ambulance may take you elsewhere.
Nearest GP practices
- Reach Healthcare, 0.5 miles away
- King George Road Surgery, 1.3 miles away
- Phoenix Medical Practice, 1.8 miles away
Nearest dentists
- Kent Smile Studio, 0.7 miles away (NHS.uk details)
- Lordswood Healthy Living Centre, 1 mile away (NHS.uk details)
- Lavender Dental Care, 1.2 miles away (NHS.uk details)
Nearest pharmacies
- Fenns Chemist, 0.7 miles away
- Lordswood Pharmacy, 0.9 miles away
- Merlin Pharmacy, 1.2 miles away
Nearest railway stations
- Aylesford Station, 3.2 miles away
- New Hythe Station, 3.2 miles away
- Snodland Station, 3.2 miles away
Around Forge House
- H: Forge House
- A: 24 hour A&E
- G: GP practice
- D: Dentist
- P: Pharmacy
- S: Railway station
Straight line distances, not routes. Places very close to the home are spread out slightly so they can be told apart.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Practice and pharmacy details from the NHS England Organisation Data Service. A&E sites from NHS England A&E data and the Organisation Data Service. Railway stations from the Department for Transport NaPTAN dataset. Distances are straight line and approximate.
Common questions about Forge House
Where is Forge House located?
Forge House is a residential care home in Chatham, Kent, ME5 9LY. You can view its exact location and get directions from the map on this page.
What type of care does Forge House provide?
Forge House is registered to provide residential personal care, with support that includes Older person care, Mental health care, Learning disability and autism support, Younger adults care, Eating disorder support, Substance misuse support. The full list of services is shown on this page.
What is Forge House's CQC rating?
Forge House is registered with and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Its most recent overall rating is Good following its last inspection on 10 December 2019. You can read the full CQC report from the link on this page.
Does Forge House offer respite or short-term care?
Yes. Forge House offers respite and short-term care. Availability changes regularly, so it is best to enquire directly.
Questions families ask about Forge House
Can Mum or Dad stay here if their dementia gets worse?
No. Forge House is not listed for dementia care on the CQC register. If dementia is likely, choose a home that is, so a second move is not needed later.
Is there a nurse on site if health needs change?
No. Forge House is a residential care home without on-site nursing. District nurses and GPs visit, but someone who needs daily nursing may have to move to a nursing home.
Can they try a short stay before deciding?
Yes. Yes. Forge House offers respite and short stays, which is a good way to see whether the home is the right fit.
Will they support end of life care, so there is no move at the hardest time?
Ask the home. End of life care is not listed on the register. Ask the manager whether residents can remain in the home with hospice or district nurse support.
Can she bring her cat or dog?
Ask the home. The home has not told us its pet policy yet. Ask directly; some homes allow small pets in residents' rooms or welcome visiting dogs.
Can a couple stay together?
Ask the home. We do not know whether the home has rooms for couples. Ask about shared or adjoining rooms if this matters.
Will the council help pay, or is it self funded only?
Ask the home. The home has not told us which funding it accepts. Most homes take both council funded and self funded residents; ask about council rates and any top up.
Do they take younger adults as well as older people?
Yes. Yes. Forge House supports younger adults as well as older people.
Can I visit before deciding, and are there visiting hours?
Ask the home. Every home should welcome a visit. Call to arrange one, ideally at a mealtime or during an activity, and ask about visiting hours for family.
Typical weekly fees in the South East
Forge House has not published its fees yet. These are typical weekly fees for the South East, so you know roughly what to expect before you call.
- Residential care: £1,100 to £1,450 per week per person, typical range
Indicative figures for the South East, not a quote from Forge House. Actual fees depend on the room, the level of care and how it is funded.
Explore more
More care homes in Chatham
- 146 Lower Robin Hood Lane — CQC Good
- Acorn House Residential Home — CQC Good
- Holly Lodge Residential Home — CQC Good
- Insight Walderslade — CQC Good
- PILS Care — CQC Good
- Steven Lodge — CQC Good
Browse all care homes in Chatham.