Newsletter March 2026
April 2026 Edition
Foreword
Welcome to this edition of our Newsletter!
Welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter.
As always, we’re excited to share highlights from the past month at Acacia Homecare, from celebrating staff anniversaries to recognising our Angel of the Month and our Customer Appreciation winner.
We hope both our customers and staff enjoyed a little Easter treat this year, with chocolates hand-delivered by our Acacia Angels. It certainly brought some smiles in the office, and we firmly believe that a bit of Easter indulgence is for everyone, not just the children!
It has also been a month of change for us, as we said a fond farewell to our much-loved Operations Manager, Gita. As she begins her maternity leave, she also steps into an exciting new role as the owner and director of Acacia Homecare Reading. We celebrated her with a special lunch and gifts, and while she will be greatly missed, we are delighted she remains part of the Acacia family. We wish her every success in both motherhood and her new venture.
We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has taken the time to share feedback and reviews recently, both online and via Careberry. Your kind words mean so much to our entire team and truly highlight the difference our care makes to you and your families. Your reviews also help others looking for home care support, so please do continue to share your experiences. If you prefer, handwritten review cards are always available from our office team.
Finally, we are very much looking forward to our upcoming customer event, details of which you’ll find inside this newsletter. It promises to be a wonderful occasion, and we hope to see as many of you there as possible, especially with a special performance from a talented local group.
Happy reading!
In The Latest News
Bunnies > Eggs: Spreading Easter Cheer!
This March, we decided to switch things up a bit! Instead of the traditional eggs, our team has been busy delivering Chocolate Easter Bunnies to our wonderful customers across North West Surrey.
The response has been absolutely incredible, and as you can see from our photos, the smiles say it all. Whether it was a surprise delivery during a morning visit or a treat to enjoy with afternoon tea, our customers were certainly "hoppy" to see a new face (and a set of chocolate ears!) arrive at their door.
At Acacia, we truly believe it’s the little details and those personal touches that make all the difference. It was a joy to see so much chocolatey cheer being spread across the community, and we hope everyone had a fantastic and relaxing Easter weekend!
Customer and Carers receiving their Easter Bunnies
Office team receiving the Easter Bunnies
Customer Appreciation
At Acacia Homecare, we are incredibly grateful for our community. We are delighted to share the latest updates on our quarterly Customer Appreciation awards and the wonderful charities they support.
March Winner: Pamela Griffin
We begin by celebrating Heather Munro, our September recipient. Heather chose Shooting Star and the donation will be made at the end of May. as her designated charity. Following her win, we were honoured to donate £880 to their cause this past December to help support their vital work in the community.
Now Streaming: Under the Acacia Tree (Episode 10)
We are excited to announce that the latest episode of our podcast, Under the Acacia Tree, is now available to listen to!
In Episode 10, titled "Throwing the Old Corporate Handbook Out of the Window," the team takes a break from the usual updates to share a more candid look at office life. This episode is a lighthearted dive into the conversations that happen behind the scenes when the team gets together.
In this episode, we discuss:
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Career Disasters: Sharing some of our most memorable (and awkward) professional mishaps.
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Gen Z Slang: Trying to make sense of the modern lingo used by the younger generation.
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1950s Cuisine: A look back at some questionable vintage recipes that were definitely better left in the past.
If you’re looking for something entertaining to listen to, you can find Under the Acacia Tree on all major podcast platforms. We hope it brings a smile to your face and gives you a better sense of the personalities that make up the Acacia team!
Upcoming Events
Save the Date! Our 2026 Annual Customer Event is Coming This June
We are delighted to invite all our wonderful customers to the highlight of our social calendar: the Acacia Homecare Annual Customer Event! This year, our theme is “Let’s Lunch & Laugh Together,” and we have a fantastic afternoon planned for you.
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, 24th June, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. We will be returning to the lovely Sunbury Cricket Club for an afternoon of delicious food, great company, and spectacular entertainment.
We are thrilled to announce that the local group, The Revelairs, will be joining us to perform, that is sure to get everyone smiling. It’s the perfect opportunity to catch up with familiar faces and meet the team.
We Need to Hear From You!
To ensure we have enough food and seating for everyone, we need to confirm our final numbers. If you haven’t had a chance to reply yet, please let us know if you can make it by Monday, 1st June.
How to RSVP:
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Tell Your Carer: You don't even need to pick up the phone! Simply let your carer know during their next visit, and they will pass the message to the office.
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Give Us a Ring: Call the office directly on 0203 411 9011.
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Send an Email: Drop us a quick note at team@acaciahomecare.co.uk.
Please remember to mention any specific diatery requirements when you get in touch. We are so looking forward to seeing you all there for an afternoon of music, dancing, and great company.
ACACIA ANGEL NEWS
Angel of the Month
We are excited to recognise Sophie D, as our Angel of the Month for April, an honour truly Deserved!
Sophie’s unwavering dedication and commitment to providing seamless care for our customers truly embody the spirit of an Acacia Angel.
Since joining the team, she has become a shining example of what it means to put heart into homecare. Whether she is navigating a complex rota or providing a comforting presence in a client's home, Sophie ensures that every interaction is handled with the utmost professionalism and care.
Sophie's "can-do" attitude and the seamless way she supports both her customers and her colleagues make her an invaluable asset to our community. It is an honour truly deserved, and we are so proud to have her as part of the Acacia family.
As a token of our appreciation, Sophie has received a £25 gift voucher and a certificate of recognition.
Thank you, Sophie , For your hard work, reliability and the compassion you bring to your role.
Staff Anniversaries
This is one of our favorite sections, where we celebrate the incredible people who have grown with the Acacia Homecare family. A huge congratulations to:
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Ijeoma – Celebrating 3 Years! Well done to Ijeoma for reaching this fantastic three year milestone as an Acacia Angel. We are so grateful for her continued commitment and the compassion she brings to our customers every single day. Here’s to many more years of making a difference together!
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Ecaterina – Celebrating 2 Years! A big congratulations to Ecaterina on her second anniversary with us. As an integral part of our Admin and Rota Planning team, Ecaterina’s hard work keeps our care running smoothly behind the scenes. We love having her as part of the team!
Passed Probations
Congratulations to Monica and Hildah for passing their probations! We are so glad to have all of you as part of our team and look forward to seeing all the amazing things you will achieve.
All our Acacia Angles receive a Fleece, a Bottle and a badge upon successfully completing their probation.
Well done, it's great to see so many new Acacia Angels join our team and pleased that you are continuing your journey with us.
Crisp Tasting Day
In March, the office team took a brief break to mark National Crisp Day with a team-building exercise. While everyone brought in their preferred snacks, the highlight of the afternoon was a blind taste test organized by Sarah.
Staff members were challenged to identify six mystery flavors without seeing the packaging. The selections included more unusual varieties, such as Camembert with Chilli and Honey and Beef Wellington.
The activity was a lighthearted way for the office staff to connect, and it certainly sparked plenty of debate over which flavors were the most and least popular
A Special Send-off for Gita
We recently gathered in the office for a lovely farewell lunch to celebrate our Operations Manager, Gita Mistry. It was a bittersweet afternoon of good food and great memories as we wished her well before she begins her maternity leave.
Gita has been a friendly voice on the phone for so many of you over the years, and while we are sad to see her leave the Surrey office, we are thrilled that she’s staying in the family! When she returns from leave, she’ll be stepping into her new role as the Director of Acacia Homecare Reading.
We’ll certainly miss her at the lunch table, but we couldn't be happier for her. Please join us in wishing Gita the very best of luck with her new arrival and her exciting new chapter!
Community Outreach: Wraysbury Hub Information Sessions
At Acacia Homecare, we believe in being more than just a service provider; we strive to be a helpful resource for our entire community. To support this, our team hosted a series of Community Care Café sessions at Wraysbury Village Hall earlier this year.
We held a successful session on 10th March. These sessions provided a dedicated space for local residents and family members to drop in for expert advice on navigating the journey of homecare.
Key topics discussed included:
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Identifying Support Needs: Guidance on recognizing the signs that a loved one may benefit from extra assistance.
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Effective Communication: How to begin sensitive conversations about care with family members.
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Local Expertise: Providing practical, professional advice on the care resources available throughout NW Surrey.
It was a pleasure to meet so many local faces at the Wraysbury Village Hall. These sessions are an important part of our mission to ensure that professional support and information are always accessible to those who need them in our community.
Following the positive feedback from our March visit, we are pleased to confirm that we will be back at Wraysbury Village Hall (The Green, TW19 5NA) on Tuesday, 14th April, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Make the Most of the Warmer Weather
Now that the days are getting longer and the sun is making an appearance, we want to remind you that our care doesn't have to stay within four walls. Our service is flexible, and we would love to help you get out and enjoy the fresh air.
Whether you have a regular slot or want to add an extra call to take advantage of the spring weather, our carers are here to support you with:
- A stroll through the local park to see the spring flowers.
- A trip to the garden centre to pick out some blooms for the patio.
- A coffee and a chat at your favorite high street café.
- A local picnic to enjoy the sunshine and a change of scenery.
Interested in an Outing?
If you would like to swap an indoor visit for an outdoor adventure, or if you’d like to book an additional call specifically for a trip out, please speak to your carer or call the office team.
Let’s make this spring one to remember by getting out, staying active.
Recipe Corner
The Ultimate British Summer Staple: "Classic Fish & Chips"
Nothing says British summer quite like a plate of golden Fish & Chips. While its origins date back to the 1860s, it became the heart of our culinary identity during the war years as one of the few foods never rationed. It remains a symbol of comfort and community across the UK.
Inspired by the traditional methods found in authentic British seaside recipes, we’ve added an 'Acacia twist.' By using an ice-cold batter mix, this recipe captures that signature light, crispy texture. For the best results, we recommend using Maris Piper potatoes to ensure the chips stay fluffy on the inside."
Serves: 2-3 People
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
The "Crispy-Base" Batter Mix:
Mix these in a bowl. For the best results, ensure the liquid is ice-cold to create a temperature shock when it hits the oil.
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Plain Flour (1 cup)
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Cornflour (2 tablespoons for extra crunch)
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Baking Powder (1 teaspoon)
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Cold Sparkling Water or Light Ale (measure until it reaches a thick cream consistency)
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Sea Salt & Black Pepper
Ingredients
- Protein: 3 Fresh Cod or Haddock fillets (patted completely dry).
- Base: 4 large Maris Piper potatoes (peeled and cut into thick "chunky" chips).
- Sides: 1 tin of Marrowfat peas (mashed with a knob of butter and fresh mint).
- Aromatics: Malt vinegar, Sunflower oil for frying.
- Garnish: Lemon wedges and tartare sauce.
Instructions
Step 1: The Chip Foundation
Par-boil your chunky chips in salted water for 5–8 minutes until the edges are slightly "fluffed." Drain and let them air-dry completely. This is the secret to a fluffy interior.
Step 2: The First Fry
Heat your oil to 160°C. Fry the chips for about 5 minutes until they are soft but pale. Remove and drain. Increase the heat of your oil to 180°C.
Step 3: The "Chilled-Batter" Dip
Dust your dry fish fillets lightly with plain flour. Dip them into the ice-cold batter mix, ensuring an even coating. Let the excess drip off for a second before carefully lowering them into the 180°C oil.
Step 4: The Golden Finish
Fry the fish for 6–8 minutes, turning once, until the batter is deep golden and crisp. While the fish rests for a minute, drop the chips back into the oil for 2–3 minutes for their final crisping.
Step 5: The Assembly
Plate the chips and top with the golden fish. Serve alongside your minted mushy peas, a generous squeeze of lemon, and a side of tartare sauce. Enjoy your homemade taste of the British seaside!.
