What is Healthwatch Cornwall?
For those unfamiliar with their work, Healthwatch Cornwall is an independent organisation dedicated to ensuring that the voices of residents are heard in the delivery of health and social care services. Their “Enter & View” visits are a statutory power under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, allowing them to observe services in action and gather direct feedback from residents, relatives, and staff. The goal of these visits is to provide an unbiased account of care experiences and offer recommendations that help providers like Green Light continue to improve and support resident wellbeing.
On November 3rd, 2025, a Healthwatch representative visited Tanglewood to observe daily life and speak directly with our team and the people we support. The report published on 6th May 2026, is a positive reflection of the dedication of our team and the person-centered culture they have been striving to create since the home was registered in May 2024.
Table of Contents
- Key Highlights: Autism Care in Cornwall
- Resident and Family Feedback on Transitions
- Staff Expertise and Specialist Training
- Proactive Improvements and Updates
- Read the Full Healthwatch Cornwall Tanglewood Report
Key Highlights: Autism Care in Cornwall
The report highlighted several areas where Tanglewood excels in providing high-quality support for adults with learning disabilities and autism in the St Austell area:
- A “Home-Like” Environment: The home was described as looking and feeling like a well-presented family residence that is clean, warm, and recently renovated.
- Well Trained Staff: Training was described as “second to none”. Staff reported feeling “supported and prepared” for their roles before they even started.
- Calm Atmosphere: Observations showed positive, “relaxed” interactions between residents and staff in a well-organised, quiet environment.
Resident and Family Feedback on Transitions
Hearing feedback from the families we support is vital for those searching for autism care in Cornwall. Feedback from the visit included:
- Supportive Transitions: A parent reported being “bowled over” by the transition process, noting that Green Light “walked beside” them as a parent during the huge decision to move into a care home.
- Bespoke Communication: The report praised our “completely bespoke” care, including staff learning Makaton to better communicate and understand residents’ personalities.
- Resident Pride: One resident expressed pride in their room, noting they liked the specific adaptations made to their private wet room.
In his official response to the report, Registered Manager Chris Kidd stated: “We are delighted you observed the ‘calm, reassuring’ nature of our team. Their ‘gentle’ interactions truly reflect our core values of empathy, empowerment, and integrity”.
Staff Expertise and specialist Training
A significant highlight of the report was the positive feedback regarding our team’s expertise. Team members described the company as “supportive and progressive,” fostering a teamwork-driven environment where everyone contributes to making the residents’ lives as happy as possible. Being part of a larger organisation with over 300 staff across Cornwall ensures that Tanglewood has the flexibility and resilience needed to maintain high-quality care at all times.
Proactive Improvements and Updates
At Green Light, we value constructive recommendations and have already taken the following actions based on the report findings:
- Enhanced Accessibility: We have agreed to purchase a portable ramp to ensure we are welcoming to all future visitors with mobility needs.
- Maintenance Updates: The minor maintenance issue (a window repair) noted during the visit has now been fully completed.
- Full Occupancy: We are pleased to report that the vacancy mentioned in the report is now filled, following a smooth, person-centered transition.
Read the Full Healthwatch Cornwall Tanglewood Report
We are incredibly proud of the Tanglewood team and the high-quality care they provide every day. You can view the full 2025 Healthwatch Cornwall “Enter & View” report via the link below:
View Full Healthwatch Report (PDF)
Details of capacity in Green Light’s services can be found on the NHS Care Find Website