Ashlea Lodge is a modern, welcoming care home in Sunderland, offering residential care, short-term respite and specialist dementia support for the local Millfield community and beyond. Just minutes from Sunderland city centre, the home is easy for family and friends to visit regularly.
With 39 spacious refurbished bedrooms and room for personal belongings, residents are encouraged to make their space feel familiar and their own. Comfortable lounges, cosy seating areas, secure gardens and outdoor decking give people plenty of places to relax, socialise or enjoy quiet time.
Life at Ashlea Lodge is about more than care alone. With daily activities, entertainment and meaningful moments shaped around each person’s interests, we help residents stay active, engaged and connected to the things they enjoy.
From residential care and respite stays to specialist dementia support, Ashlea Lodge offers a wide range of care in one welcoming home, helping families plan with confidence now and in the future.
Our Reconnect community provides innovative, person-centred support for people living with dementia, helping residents stay active, independent and connected to daily life.
Recently refurbished bedrooms offer comfortable private spaces with room for treasured belongings, helping residents feel settled and at home.
From welcoming communal areas to a dedicated sensory room, the home offers places to relax, socialise and enjoy peaceful moments throughout the day.
Families can keep up with activities, celebrations and everyday moments through our regularly updated Facebook page, offering extra peace of mind and connection.
Support with everyday living in a welcoming home where comfort, companionship and independence come first.
Specialist environments and trained teams supporting people living with dementia with warmth, reassurance and dignity.
Short-term stays offering expert care and peace of mind, whether after illness or while carers take a break.
24-hour qualified nursing support for complex medical needs, delivered with warmth and dignity.
Pioneering specialist care
Ashlea Lodge is proud to have one of Orchard’s first ever Reconnect communities, designed to support people living with dementia.
Created around the person, not just the diagnosis, Reconnect combines therapeutic support, welcoming environments and highly trained teams to help people feel safe, valued and connected every day.
At Ashlea Lodge, our dedicated Reconnect community offers enhanced support for people living with more complex dementia needs, helping residents stay active, maintain independence and enjoy the routines and activities that matter to them.
39 spacious private rooms with plenty of space for personal belongings, helping residents feel settled, familiar and at home.
Large communal lounges and cosy seating areas where residents can relax, socialise or enjoy quiet time with family and friends.
Secure outdoor spaces for fresh air and relaxation, plus a dedicated sensory room designed to support calm, comfort and wellbeing.
Gillian Varley leads Ashlea Lodge with warmth, experience and a genuine passion for person-centred care.
She began her career in 2004 as a part-time care assistant, quickly progressing into senior care and deputy management roles through her dedication and hands-on experience. In 2012, after achieving her Level 5 qualification in Leadership and Management, she became a Care Home Manager in Sunderland.
Since joining Orchard Care Homes in November 2016, Gillian has helped create a welcoming home where residents feel safe, valued and well supported, families feel reassured, and colleagues are proud to be part of the Ashlea Lodge team.
Ashlea Lodge is based in Millfield, Sunderland, just minutes from the city centre with convenient road links and public transport connections. We’re easy to reach from across Tyne & Wear and the wider North East.
Nearby areas we serve:
Ashlea Lodge provides residential care, residential dementia care, short-term respite care and specialist dementia support through our Reconnect community. Care is shaped around the individual, with personalised plans that reflect each resident’s needs, preferences and routines.
The home offers refurbished bedrooms, welcoming lounges, cosy seating areas, secure gardens, outdoor decking and a dedicated sensory room. Residents also have access to comfortable shared spaces where they can relax, socialise and enjoy daily life.
There is always something to enjoy at Ashlea Lodge. From painting, bingo and fitness sessions to entertainment, social events and quiet moments with family, daily life is built around the interests of the people who live here.
Care costs depend on the type of stay, room and support required. Our team will always explain fees clearly and talk you through the options available.
As a guide, we’ve put together this handy Key Facts Overview for you to look at.
Choosing care can feel like a big decision, and we understand that. The best next step is to speak with our friendly team or arrange a visit. We’ll listen, answer your questions and help you explore the right option for your loved one with no pressure or obligation.
