May 2026 Edition
Foreword
Welcome to this edition of our Newsletter!
Welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your continued support as we continue to grow our presence in Reading. As we reflect on the year so far, I want to recognise and thank our incredible team for their dedication, compassion, and hard work in supporting our customers every single day.
From busy schedules to challenging weather conditions, our carers continue to go above and beyond to ensure our customers receive the highest standard of care when they need it most. Their commitment and kindness remain at the heart of everything we do.
It has also been an exciting few months for the office team, with new team members joining us and our move into our new office space in Reading. We are looking forward to continuing this positive growth and celebrating more achievements together throughout the year.
You can read more about our latest updates and local news throughout this newsletter.
Enjoy this month’s edition!
Upcoming Events
We are excited to be attending a Recruitment Day at the Job Centre on 04/06/2026.
This event will be a great opportunity to meet potential new recruits, share information about careers in care, and continue growing our dedicated Acacia Homecare team. We look forward to connecting with members of the local community who are interested in making a difference through care.
Now Streaming: Under the Acacia Tree (Episode 12)
We are excited to announce that the latest episode of our podcast, Under the Acacia Tree, is now available to listen to!
In Episode 12, titled "The Last Call," the team takes a break from the usual updates to share a more candid look at office life. In this episode, we discuss:
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When a Live-in Carer packs their bags at 5 pm, set never to return: We share the diverse,
If you’re looking for something entertaining to listen to, you can find Under the Acacia Tree on Spotify. We hope it makes you laugh and gives you a better sense of the personalities that make up the Acacia team!
Event Recap
This Easter, our team enjoyed spreading some seasonal joy by visiting all of our customers and delivering Easter eggs.
It was a wonderful opportunity to brighten our customers’ day and celebrate the occasion together. Small gestures like these help us continue building meaningful relationships and bringing smiles to the people we support.
ACACIA ANGEL NEWS
Angel of the Month
Marie Dobson: At Acacia Homecare, we believe in recognising and celebrating the exceptional individuals who go above and beyond every day.
Our Angel of the Month award, presented every three months, recognises a team member who consistently demonstrates our core values of compassion, reliability, and excellence in care.
This award is our way of showing appreciation for the dedication, kindness, and commitment our carers bring to supporting our customers and making a real difference in their lives.
Office News
- We are excited to welcome two new members to the Acacia Homecare office team!
Uyo has joined us as our new Recruitment Lead, and Megan has joined as our Admin and Rota Planner. We are delighted to have them both on board and look forward to the valuable support they will bring to both our staff and customers.
We are also pleased to announce that we have officially moved into our new office at:
Reading Enterprise Centre- Earley Gate
- Whiteknights Road
- Reading
- RG6 6BU
Our new office provides a welcoming space for both our office team and carers, while supporting the continued growth of Acacia Homecare in the Reading community.
Megan
Admin and Rota Planner
Uyo
Recruitment Lead
Introducing new Acacia Angels
We are delighted to welcome four new carers to the Acacia Homecare team — Sussana, Anisa, Martha, and Ogechi.
Our Acacia Angels play such an important role in supporting our customers with compassion, dignity, and kindness every day. We are excited to have them join us and look forward to the positive impact they will make within our community.
A warm welcome to the team!
Gita's 5th Anniversary:
This month, we are proud to celebrate a very special milestone — our Director, Gita, has reached her 5th anniversary with the company.
Over the past five years, Gita’s dedication, compassion, and leadership have helped shape our service into the caring and supportive community it is today. Her commitment to both our clients and care staff continues to inspire us every day.
Please join us in congratulating Gita and thanking her for her hard work and continued passion for delivering outstanding care.
Training
This quarter, we held an in-office training session for our care team as part of our ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality care and continuous professional development.
The session provided a great opportunity for staff to refresh their knowledge, develop new skills, and come together to share experiences and best practices. We are proud to support our team with regular training to ensure our customers continue to receive the highest standard of care.
Anniversaries
Tamsin (3 years in April), Vimalpreet (2 years in April).
Tamsin
Celebrating 3 Years With Acacia Homecare as an Acacia Angel.
Vimalpreet
Celebrating 2 Years With Acacia Homecare as an Acacia Angel.
Recruitment
This quarter, our Recruitment Lead has attended a number of local job fairs in partnership with Fedcap and the Jobcentre, helping us connect with potential new recruits interested in a rewarding career in care.
These events have been a fantastic opportunity to meet members of the local community, discuss the benefits of working in domiciliary care, and continue growing our dedicated care team.
Free Online Dementia Information Session – 29 May 2026
Following the positive feedback from previous sessions, we are delighted to announce that we will once again be hosting a FREE online Dementia Information Session on 29/05/2026.
The session is designed for family members, carers, and anyone interested in learning more about dementia, including:
- Understanding dementia and its different stages
- Communication and support strategies
- Practical advice for families and carers
- Helpful resources and guidance
We believe that education and awareness are essential in supporting those living with dementia and their loved ones.
Spaces are free, and everyone is welcome.
Feedback from a client's family
We are incredibly grateful for the kind words and continued support from our clients and their families. Feedback like this motivates us to continue delivering the highest standard of person-centred care every single day.
Bank Holiday Monday
At our company, we believe our carers deserve recognition for the incredible work they do. That's why, although we do not charge clients any additional fees during Bank Holidays, we pay enhanced rates to our carers.
We know that caring does not stop on holidays, and neither does the dedication of our team. Our carers are at the heart of everything we do, and we remain committed to valuing and supporting them every step of the way.
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 "Family-Favorite" Chocolate Brownies
There is nothing quite as comforting as a warm, gooey chocolate brownie. While the brownie as we know it today likely originated in the United States in the late 19th century, it has become a beloved British afternoon tea staple. Whether it's a mid-afternoon pick-me-up or a treat for a family gathering, a solid brownie recipe is an essential for any kitchen.
This month’s recipe is a special one, provided by our very own Holly (Care Lead). This month, we are sharing a classic, fail-safe recipe inspired by traditional baking techniques that ensure a perfect balance between a crusty top and a fudgy center. We’ve added the 'Acacia twist' by recommending high-quality plain chocolate chips for those extra-melty pockets of joy. It’s the perfect simple bake to enjoy with a cup of tea while the sun shines this June!
Serves: 24 Squares
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 - 45 minutes
Essential Kit
For the perfect height and bake, you will need a 30 x 23 x 4cm (12 x 9 x 1½in) traybake or roasting tin.
Ingredients
- The Base: 275g (10oz) unsalted butter (softened) and 375g (13oz) caster sugar.
- The Bind: 4 large free-range eggs.
- The Cocoa: 75g (3oz) high-quality cocoa powder and 100g (4oz) self-raising flour.
- The Acacia Twist: 100g (4oz) plain chocolate chips (dark or milk, depending on your preference!).
Instructions
Step 1: The Preparation. Preheat your oven to 180°C (Fan 160°C / Gas Mark 4). Grease your tin and line the base and sides with non-stick baking parchment, ensuring you push it neatly into the corners for easy removal later.
Step 2: The "All-In-One" Mix. In a large mixing bowl, measure out all your ingredients. Using a hand-held electric mixer, blend everything together until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined.
Step 3: Levelling Out. Spoon the chocolatey mixture into your prepared tin. Use a plastic spatula to scrape the bowl clean (no wasting the good stuff!) and gently spread the mix to the corners. Level the surface so it bakes evenly.
Step 4: Bake for 40–45 minutes. You’re looking for a beautiful, crusty top. To check if they are done, insert a skewer into the centre—it should come out clean. Pro Tip: If the top is browning too quickly, cover it loosely with foil for the final 10 minutes of baking.
Step 5: The Final Cool. The hardest part: waiting! Allow the brownies to cool completely in the tin before lifting them out and cutting them into 24 squares. Store them in an airtight container to keep them fudgy all week long. Enjoy!
