Newsletter June 2026
July 2026 Edition
Foreword
Welcome to this edition of our Newsletter!
Welcome to our July edition!
Summer has certainly kept us on our toes here at Acacia Homecare North West Surrey! While the recent heatwave meant we had to make a few changes to our plans, it certainly hasn't stopped us from celebrating our incredible team, supporting our local community, and continuing to do what we love every single day.
This month's edition is packed with exciting updates. We are incredibly proud to share the fantastic news from the Stars of Social Care Awards, where our very own Jaspreet Kaur received a national Highly Commended award, while our Rota Planning & Admin Team and branch were recognised as finalists on the national stage. We also celebrate Clara as our July Angel of the Month, recognise several important staff anniversaries, and look back at a fantastic day meeting local families at Egham's Magna Carta Day celebrations.
You'll also find updates on our rescheduled Let's Lunch & Laugh Together customer event, discover how our team has been helping everyone stay safe during the recent heatwave, read about our latest charity fundraising efforts, and get a first look at an exciting new partnership with the National Trust. And of course, don't forget to try this month's delicious Recipe Corner, featuring Georgia's authentic Indonesian Nasi Goreng.
As always, thank you for your continued trust and support. Whether you're one of our wonderful clients, a family member, colleague or friend of Acacia, we're so grateful to have you as part of our community. We hope you enjoy catching up on another memorable month with us.
Happy reading!
In The Latest News
Annual Customer Event Update: Keeping Safe and Saving a New Date!
As many of you saw in our recent updates, the blazing sun threw a little bit of a wrench into our summer plans! Due to the extreme heat warning in place across the UK, we have decided to postpone our much-anticipated "Let's Lunch & Laugh Together" annual customer event. As much as we love bringing everyone together, the safety, comfort, and well-being of our wonderful customers, families, and team will always be our absolute top priority. We take our duty of care very seriously, and keeping everyone safe and cool out of the sun was simply the most important thing to do.
But we are not letting the heat steal our thunder! The party is definitely still on, and we are absolutely thrilled to confirm that the amazing Revelairs are locked in and set to perform for us at our rescheduled date.
Let's Lunch & Laugh This September!
We are officially shifting the highlight of our social calendar to September 2026. It is going to be the absolute perfect way to welcome the autumn with some cooler weather, great company, and plenty of our trademark "Serious & Fun" energy.
Can't wait until September for a catch-up? > In the meantime, you don't have to miss out on the musical fun! Head over and check out The Revelairs Facebook Page to follow their journey, support their music, and catch them live at their other upcoming local shows and Surrey community events.
A massive thank you to The Revelairs for working so seamlessly with our Sunbury office team to make this adjustment. If you had already RSVP'd for the original date, your spot is automatically carried over for September. If you haven't managed to reply yet but would love to join us, just let your carer know on their next visit, give the office a ring on 0203 411 9011, or drop us a note at team@acaciahomecare.co.uk.
Until then, please stay safe, keep hydrated, and we can't wait to see you all rock the stage with our Acacia Angels very soon!
Your Reviews Help Us Help Others 🤍
Every day, our Angels out in the field work hard to bring independence, comfort, and peace of mind back into your homes. But did you know that your feedback is one of the most powerful tools we have?
When you take a moment to share your experience, you aren’t just putting a massive smile on our carers' faces. You are helping another local family in Surrey make a very big, very important decision. Finding the right home care can be daunting, and your honest words provide the reassurance and guidance that other daughters, sons, and partners are looking for.
Whether it’s a quick note about a specific Angel who went above and beyond, or a review of our overall service, we read every single one.
Now Streaming: Under the Acacia Tree (Episode 14 )
We are excited to announce that the latest episode of our podcast, Under the Acacia Tree, is now available to listen to!
In Episode 14, titled "We Hired The Wrong Person!," the recruitment specialists step in. In this episode, we discuss:
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Realisation of hiring the wrong person and the stories that come out of it
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Is AI killing the Personality in CV?
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Why Schools Are Failing to Teach Real-World Skills
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Should you be Switching Jobs Every 2 Years? The Truth about Loyalty
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Why Candidates'Ghost Interviews, and How Recruiters Can Fix It
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How to Ask Your Boss for a Promotion (Without Being Negative)
If you’re looking for something entertaining to listen to, you can find Under the Acacia Tree on Spotify and YouTube.
ACACIA ANGEL NEWS
Angel of the Month
We are absolutely thrilled to name Clara as our wonderful Angel of the Month for July! This is an honour that is so richly deserved, and the whole team is cheering her on.
Since she first joined us, Clara has consistently shown everyone what it truly means to put real heart into home care. She has an incredible gift for lifting the spirits of everyone she visits, handling every single day with total grace, patience, and a reassuring smile. Whether she is managing a busy care routine or simply sitting down to offer a comforting, listening ear, she makes sure our customers feel completely valued and safe.
Clara’s natural warmth is matched only by her incredible reliability. She is always ready to step up and support her fellow Angels, making her an invaluable teammate out in the field and a deeply beloved presence in our clients' homes. She perfectly embodies everything Acacia stands for, and we could not be prouder to have her representing us across Surrey.
As a small token of our massive appreciation, Clara has been presented with a certificate of recognition and a £25 gift voucher.
Thank you so much, Clara, for your unwavering hard work, your dedication, and the beautiful compassion you bring to your role every single day!
Staff Anniversaries
This is one of our favourite sections, where we celebrate the incredible people who have grown with the Acacia Homecare family. A huge congratulations to:
- Fatema– Celebrating 1 Year! Well done to Fatema for reaching this fantastic one-year milestone as an Acacia Angel. We are so incredibly grateful for her steady commitment and the beautiful compassion she brings to our customers across Surrey every single day. Here’s to many more years of making a difference together!
- Kamaljeet P– Celebrating 2 Years! A huge congratulations to Kam on reaching his second anniversary with us! Over the last two years, his dedication, warmth, and reliable nature have made him an indispensable part of our care team. Thank you, Kamaljeet, for always going above and beyond for your clients!
- Donna– Celebrating 2 Years Return to Acacia Homecare! We are thrilled to celebrate two years since Donna returned to the Acacia family! As our Care Manager, Donna is the vital guiding force for our entire branch. She works tirelessly behind the scenes to keep our standards high, our team supported, and our care seamless. Thank you, Donna, for your incredible leadership and dedication!
- Julie W– Celebrating 5 Years! An amazing milestone! A massive congratulations to Julie on her fifth anniversary with us. Five years of dedication is a wonderful achievement; as a true veteran of our Angel team, her warmth, experience, and deep care have made a lifelong impact on everyone she looks after. We are so proud to celebrate this big milestone with her!
Staying Safe & Hydrated in the Heat! ☀️💧
While we always love it when the sun makes an appearance in Surrey, the recent extreme heat warnings mean we've had to pivot from our usual outdoor adventures to focus on keeping everyone safe, cool, and comfortable. When the weather gets this intense, staying hydrated is absolutely vital—especially for our wonderful elders and vulnerable neighbours.
To tackle the heatwave head-on, our incredible office team has been out on the road delivering ice-cold water and hydration supplies directly to our dedicated Carers and Acacia Angels in the field, ensuring everyone stays completely safe while out supporting the community!
Beat the Heat: Summer Support Reminders
Our services remain fully flexible, but during these high-temperature days, we are adapting our visits to keep your loved ones safe out of the blazing sun. Instead of our usual brisk outdoor strolls, our Angels are on hand to support with:
- Hydration Monitoring: Gently reminding and encouraging your loved ones to drink plenty of water throughout the day.
- Keeping Homes Cool: Helping to manage curtains, blinds, and fans to keep indoor spaces at a safe, comfortable temperature.
- Shaded Companionship: Swapping sunny park walks for a relaxed iced tea, a quiet chat in the shade, or indoor activities away from the peak midday heat.
If you have any questions about how we are keeping our clients safe during the heatwave, or if you need to adjust a schedule to ensure extra check-ins during the hottest parts of the day, please give our office team a ring. Stay safe, keep hydrated, and let's look after one another!
Celebrating Community at Magna Carta Day! 🎪📜
There is nothing we love more than stepping out of the office to connect face-to-face with our local neighbourhood. This month, our fantastic team did exactly that, setting up shop at Egham's historic Magna Carta Day festival! We were right in the heart of the action until 4:00 pm, meeting wonderful local residents, catching up with families, and spreading our signature "Serious & Fun" energy.
Our stand was buzzing with activity all day long. Visitors stopped by to meet the team, chat about home care options for themselves or their loved ones, and discover how to kickstart a rewarding career as an Acacia Angel. We even brought along a fun grip-strength test to challenge the community, which proved to be a massive hit!
And The Winner Is... 🏆
Everyone who stopped by the stand and left their details was entered into our special festive raffle. We are absolutely thrilled to officially announce our Magna Carta Day Prize Draw Winner: L. Pratt! A huge congratulations to you! We were delighted to present our lucky winner with a Waitrose gift card. Whether you are spending it on some premium summer treats or stocking up on your weekly favourites, the whole Acacia team hopes you thoroughly enjoy it!
A massive thank you to everyone who stopped by the Acacia Homecare stand, took part in the fun, and chatted with our team about how we support local independence. You all truly made it a historic day to remember!
🏆 The Stars of Social Care Awards: Jaspreet Does Us Proud!
The glittering awards evening has officially wrapped up, the national results are finally in, and the whole team at Acacia Homecare NW Surrey is absolutely bursting with pride!
While we were over the moon to head into the night as a national "Hat-Trick" finalist across three prestigious categories, we are thrilled to announce that our incredible Jaspreet Kaur walked away with the national Highly Commended Award for the New to Care category! To be named as one of the very top finalists across the entire nation is an immense honour in itself, but to receive the Highly Commended accolade on that stage is a massive testament to Jaspreet. Since joining our family of Angels, she has brought an incredible amount of heart, tireless dedication, and genuine joy to our customers every single day. Jaspreet, you are a true shining star and the perfect definition of an Acacia Angel. The entire branch is celebrating with you!
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Amazing Team
We also want to give a massive shoutout to our brilliant Rota Planning & Admin Team, who stood tall as finalists for the Awesome Administrator Award, and our entire branch for being recognised in the Recruitment & Retention category.
None of these national recognitions would be possible without the incredible team we have from the office to your front door, and, most importantly, the trust you place in us every day. Whether it’s a quick morning visit or complex recovery support, our goal remains exactly the same: to provide excellence with a "Serious & Fun" heart.
Summer Outings: A Quick Reminder ☀️
You should have recently received an email from our Care Manager, Donna, about updating your care schedules for the warmer months.
Now that summer is officially here, we want to remind you that our care doesn't have to stay within four walls! If you or your loved one would like to add an extra visit, swap an indoor call for a sunny outing, or simply arrange some companionship for a stroll to the local garden centre, our team is ready to make it happen.
Summer schedules fill up fast, so if you'd like to get those extra sunny trips in place, please give our office team a quick ring. Let's make the most of the sunshine together!
Charity Donation
For our last quarter's donation, we were proud to support a young woman named Jess through her GoFundMe page and donated £750. Our Directors, Sanj and Minal, took part in an 8-hour fitness challenge at their local gym in Staines to help raise funds for Jess, who had recently been diagnosed with cancer at the age of 28.
The challenge was organised by JustTrain Gym and brought together a fantastic group of participants. It was a huge success, raising valuable funds for Jess while showcasing an incredible community spirit. Although everyone was understandably exhausted by the end of the eight hours, it was all worthwhile for such an important cause.
Coming Soon: Exploring the National Trust with Acacia Homecare🌳
We have some incredibly exciting news cooking behind the scenes! We are currently in the process of partnering up with the National Trust to organise a series of beautiful, accessible guided walks for our customers.
We know how vital fresh air, gentle exercise, and a change of scenery are for overall well-being. Especially during these lovely summer months. This wonderful partnership will give our customers and families the perfect opportunity to explore some of the most stunning historic spaces and gardens right on our doorstep, all with the comfort and reassuring support of the Acacia team alongside you.
We are finalising the details as we speak, so keep your eyes peeled for upcoming dates and locations in our next updates. Get your walking shoes ready.
We can't wait to share this adventure with you!
Recipe Corner:
Classic Indonesian Nasi Goreng (Fried Rice)
Nothing beats a vibrant, comforting plate of fried rice, but when you want to transport your taste buds straight to the sunny beaches of Bali, Nasi Goreng is the ultimate answer! Meaning literally "fried rice" in Indonesian and Malaysian, this iconic dish is a beloved staple across Southeast Asia. What makes it unique from standard fried rice is its deep, caramelised brown colour and a distinct, subtly sweet smoky flavour that comes from cooking under high heat. It’s a wonderful, vibrant dish to shake up your dinner routine during these warm summer months!
This month’s recipe is a true crowd-pleaser that proves you don’t need a passport to enjoy authentic street-food flavours at home. Provided by our very own Georgia (Admin and Rota Planner). We’ve kept it simple and accessible, featuring a rich sweet soy sauce blend that perfectly coats every grain of rice. We have adapted this classic, super-quick 20-minute guide from the popular recipe, Tin Eats Nasi Goreng Recipe. Traditionally served with a crispy fried egg on top and fresh, cooling slices of tomato and cucumber, it’s a brilliant, well-balanced meal that comes together in just 20 minutes!
Serves: 2 People (as a main)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
💡 The Golden Rule: Cold Rice is Key!
While this recipe is incredibly quick, using cold, day-old cooked rice is a must. Freshly cooked, hot rice contains too much moisture and will become mushy in the pan. As Nagi over at RecipeTin Eats reminds us, day-old rice has dried out perfectly, allowing the grains to separate and beautifully caramelise in the hot sauce.
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Speedy Option: If you're short on time, cook your rice, spread it out thinly on a baking tray, and pop it into the freezer for 1–2 hours to dry the surface out rapidly!
Ingredients:
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The Rice Base: 3 Cups of cooked white rice (refrigerated overnight), 2.5tbsp vegetable oil(divided), and 150g chicken breast (Thinly sliced)
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The Aromatic Base: 1 small onion (diced), 2 garlic cloves (finely chopped), and 1 tsp red chilli (finely chopped — adjust to your heat preference!).
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The Signature Sauce: 3 tbsp Kecap Manis (Indonesian sweet soy sauce, divided) and 2 tsp shrimp paste (optional, but adds a fantastic, authentic depth of flavour).
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The Traditional Garnish: 2 to 4 large eggs (fried to taste), 1 green onion (sliced), alongside fresh tomato and cucumber wedges.
Instructions
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Step 1: Sear the Protein: Heat 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil in a large wok or a heavy-bottomed frying pan over high heat. Add the sliced chicken and cook until it is mostly white, then toss in 1 tablespoon of the Kecap Manis. Cook for a further minute until the chicken is cooked through and beautifully caramelised, then remove from the pan and set aside.
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Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics: Heat the remaining 1.5 tablespoons of oil in the same pan over high heat. Add the finely chopped chilli and garlic, stirring for just 10 seconds, then toss in the diced onion and cook for 1 minute.
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Step 3: The Big Toss: Turn the heat up to maximum. Tip your cold, dry rice into the pan, then pour the remaining 2 tablespoons of Kecap Manis and the shrimp paste (if using) directly over the top.
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Step 4: Caramelise the Rice: Stir-fry everything together vigorously for about 2 minutes. You want the sauce to reduce down and stain the rice a rich, uniform dark brown. Keep moving the rice around the hot pan until the grains start to caramelise, trust us, it smells amazing when it's ready! Toss the chicken back into the pan right at the end to warm through, then divide into serving bowls.
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Step 5: The Finishing Touches: Wipe your pan clean, add a dash of oil, and fry your eggs until the edges are crispy but the yolks remain beautifully runny. Slide a fried egg on top of each bowl of rice, garnish with green onions, and serve immediately alongside your fresh, juicy wedges of tomato and cucumber.
Enjoy!
