1 Oak Home Care, Unit 1 Woodview, Bull Lane, Acton, Sudbury, Suffolk (2026)

18/02/2026

🌙✨ Ramadan Mubarak from all of us at 1 Oak Home Care ✨🌙

As the holy month of Ramadan begins, we would like to extend our warmest wishes to all of our clients, families, staff and community members who are observing.

Ramadan is a time of reflection, compassion, patience and generosity — values that sit at the very heart of everything we do at 1 Oak. It is a time for coming together, supporting one another, and showing kindness in both big and small ways.

We recognise that for those fasting, routines may look a little different over the coming weeks. As always, our team is here to provide respectful, person-centred support that honours individual beliefs, traditions and preferences.

Whether you are observing Ramadan or supporting someone who is, we send you peace, strength and blessings during this special month. 💜💚

Ramadan Kareem 🌙

💜💚

17/02/2026

Self Care Bingo is here! 💚💜

At 1 Oak, we know that caring for others starts with caring for ourselves — so we’re inviting EVERYONE to join in with our Self Care Bingo challenge!

It’s simple:
Choose any 10 activities from the board, tick them off as you complete them, and enjoy making a little time for you.

From taking a walk outside 🌿
To writing down what you’re grateful for ✍️
To dancing like nobody’s watching 💃
Every small act of self care makes a difference.

✨ The first 5 people to send us their sheet with 10 items ticked off will receive a wellbeing gift! 🎁✨

This isn’t just for our team — we’d love our community, families, and friends to join in too. Screenshot the board, print it, share it, tag us and let us know how you’re getting on.

Let’s fill the month with small, positive moments 💫

Because wellbeing isn’t a luxury — it’s essential.

16/02/2026

When I say that receiving these photos of the enormous smiles on our clients’ faces is the BEST part of my job… I absolutely mean it. 💜

Fourteen months ago, this wonderful lady was completely against having care. She was adamant she didn’t need it, didn’t want it, and wasn’t sure about letting anyone in.

Fast forward to today… and here she is, out enjoying a pot of tea with Clair. ☕✨

The bond they’ve built is something truly special. At the end of each visit, she stands at the window and waves Clair off — and honestly, it just melts our hearts every single time.

This is why we do what we do. It’s not just about care. It’s about trust, companionship, dignity, and connection.

Clair, you are amazing. We are so proud of you. 💚

16/02/2026

We truly have the BEST clients 💜💚

How absolutely beautiful does our wonderful Jilly look after her much needed (and very well received!) hair wash with Shreenika and Sajan this morning? ✨💆‍♀️

A fresh hair do, a big smile and that extra boost of confidence – it’s the little things that can make the biggest difference 💕

Shreenika and Sajan left knowing they had brightened Jilly’s day… and that’s exactly why we do what we do 🥰

Care isn’t just about tasks – it’s about dignity, pride and helping someone feel like the best version of themselves 💜

💚

15/02/2026

A Day in the Life of Hayley – One of Our Wonderful Care Assistants 💚💜

The alarm goes off at 6am… although the snooze button and I have a very strong relationship until at least 6.30! First things first – lamp on, glasses on, and a quick check of my phone… just in case there’s been a rota change (secretly hoping for a message saying “Actually Hayley, you can start at 10am today!” 😂 A girl can dream!).

Quick stop in the bathroom – I’ll spare you the details! – and I’m out the door by 7.15am, heading towards Nayland. Music on, singing my heart out like I’m a superstar on tour.

My first client at 7.45am always sets the tone for the day. Some days I’ll see 7 clients, other days it might be 3 – but however many visits I have, I make sure every single person gets a smile. Seeing my clients happy is exactly why I do this job. Some days I wish I didn’t have to watch the clock, because I’d happily spend hours with them.

In one shift I might complete 3 showers, prepare 2 breakfasts, make 12 cups of tea, serve 4 lunches, administer 6 different medications, go through 20 pairs of gloves… or simply sit and have a good chat. Whatever the task, big or small, it makes a difference to someone – and that’s what matters.

Home time comes around and I always drive back with a happy heart. Shoes off at the door, straight into the kitchen to get dinner started, quick tidy up, and then finally time to sit down and relax. One of the lovely things about my role is that I can switch off at the end of the day – unlike some of our Team Leaders!

Bed by 10.30pm, alarm set… ready to do it all again tomorrow.

And honestly? It’s all worth it 💜💚

14/02/2026

A day in the life of Angel
CEO | 1 Oak

The alarm is set for 6:30am ⏰ and I am usually opening my emails and checking the bank for direct debits before I’ve even properly opened my eyes. Like clockwork… the bedroom door bashes wide open and my Harley pooch comes bouncing in 🐶. She’s old and blind now, but she absolutely knows where to find me.

Quick shower, makeup on, and I’m in the car — usually grabbing a Vanilla Latte from Costa on route ☕.

Podcast on 🎧. This week it’s Health & Safety Angels with the brilliant Lynsey Mason. I love using my commute to learn — it’s the longest of anyone in the office, so I make it count.

When I arrive, Charlotte and I usually start the day with a chat about perfumes. I rotate a good selection just to keep her on her toes guessing!

Then it’s straight into emails. I’ve got a handy app that filters spam — it saves so much time and headspace.

You’ll usually hear my quick wit floating around the office at some point in the morning. If there’s an opportunity for a one-liner or a bit of banter, I’m taking it. There’s nothing better than a proper belly laugh to kick-start the day.

I’m always on the hunt for new contracts and tenders — looking at where we can grow, how we can adapt, and how we can shape the business to make it work smarter and stronger. I’m constantly asking: What can we do differently? How can we future-proof this? How can we make this easier for the team?

I lead on all of our utilities and business expenses — reviewing systems, subscriptions and processes to see what we can streamline. If there’s a system that can save the team time, reduce stress or make life simpler, I want it in place.

The phone rings — it’s Tel. He’s renovating the house and needs to know if I ordered the kitchen cabinet handles… Oops. Handles quickly ordered.

Rhiannon usually appears with my diary and reminds me what I’ve committed to. She’ll plan meetings with me and Belinda around that. Today we’re discussing summer social events for the team and new signage for the office building.

I’ll message our Contracts Manager about something that’s randomly popped into my head and I need his opinion on. My brain doesn’t switch off — ideas just arrive.

Next up is an online meeting for the Suffolk Care Association Board. I’m completely in my element. Being part of positive change and supporting other providers is something I care deeply about.

Back to the spreadsheets — I’ll review audits, check formulas are behaving themselves and make sure we’re on track for the month. I’m a self-confessed spreadsheet geek and I love finding new ways to capture meaningful quality data.

The afternoon zooms by and the care team start popping in. That’s always a highlight. Helen’s latest adventure, Clair bouncing in with a completely random story, Maya’s huge smile — it keeps everything grounded and real.

In between the strategic stuff, I’m always thinking about the “nicey bits.” What can we do on top of the day-to-day care to make someone smile? A small surprise, a thoughtful gesture, a little extra that shows we genuinely care.

AirPods in — payroll time. Today it takes longer than expected because the online bank logs me out at the worst possible moment. Deep breath.

The phone rings again — it’s my friend who runs another care company. We have a lovely catch-up and swap ideas. Collaboration over competition, always.

Late afternoon I head over to the Chilton Day Centre to see Jilly and make sure she has everything she needs. It’s the most magical place and genuinely the best way to end the working day.

Home time. Podcast back on for the journey — learning on the move just works for me.

Through the front door, Harley is there in seconds demanding treats. I catch up with Tel, hear what the girls have been up to, and it’s time to feed the Clarks.

Feet up — and my favourite YouTuber has uploaded. Itchy Boots. That’s my switch-off time.

Except… the laptop comes back out. I’m currently working on a new project launching in April, so there’s always something brewing. I end up on the phone to Rhiannon about a client emergency the on-call team are handling. We run through plans for April, tweak the to-do list, and decide what’s a “tonight job” versus what can wait until morning.

My mind likes to stay busy. The best thing I can do is look for new ways to help people — whether that’s my team, those in our care or the wider community.

When I’m building something new, I ask myself two things:
1. Is it the right thing to do?
2. Will it benefit other people?

If the answer is yes — we go for it.

I go to sleep with a heart full of pride and gratitude. The company we built is the most fulfilling thing I could have done with my life.

We don’t just say we “make a difference.”
We actually do.

Am I exhausted? Yes.
Is it worth it? Absolutely.
Am I ready for tomorrow?

Let’s go! 💜💚

13/02/2026

At 1 Oak Home Care, we truly believe in person-centred care – and this week has been a beautiful reminder of why we do what we do 💜🌿

Rhiannon’s background is in Learning Disabilities services, and she has absolutely been in her element supporting one of our clients who has been struggling with healthy eating, structured meals, and accepting personal care.

Following our recent PAMMS inspection, one of our key actions was to further support clients to make healthier choices when it comes to shopping and meals… and we are so proud to say this one is very much ticked off the list ✅🛒🥗

After spending hours creating a fully pictorial menu planner – complete with matching shopping lists in picture format – our client is now able to confidently link her meal choices to the items she needs in Tesco. The planner has been tailored completely around her preferences, giving her both structure and independence 📋✨

Personal care had also been a sensitive area. With some gentle conversations about the importance of self-care – particularly as a woman going through natural bodily changes – our client has proudly accepted two full showers this week 🚿💛

This afternoon, Rhiannon popped into Tesco to check in while our client was shopping… and the pride on her face as she showed the items in her trolley, all chosen using her new menu plan, was just priceless 🌸

To celebrate the achievement, Rhiannon surprised her with some flowers to say “Well done – keep going!” 💐

This is what reablement, empowerment and relationship-led care looks like.
Small steps. Big confidence. Real independence.

We LOVE a success story 💜

13/02/2026

✨ Introducing the newest (and tiniest!) member of our Little Oaks family… SUNDAY! ✨

Today we had the absolute pleasure of a visit from the lovely Sunday, who popped into the office with our fabulous Care Assistant, Clair — and of course, they didn’t come empty handed… CAKES! 🧁💜

Our Little Oaks truly are the heart behind the scenes of 1 Oak Home Care. They share their grown-ups with us while they go out and do incredible things in our community — and when they visit, they bring sunshine, belly laughs and just the right amount of cheekiness with them! ☀️😂

Sunday, you filled our office with smiles today and we honestly LOVE your visits. Thank you for being so awesome — you’re already such a special part of our 1 Oak family 🌳💚

💜

13/02/2026

A Day in the Life of a Care Coordinator

Charlotte 💜💚

Care coordination does not start at 08:00- It starts the moment the rota changes.

If someone has gone off sick overnight, even when I’m not on call, I am usually already checking the rota from my phone to see if there is anything I can do to help. It’s just habit now. When you truly care about the team and the clients, you don’t really switch off.

Then the world properly wakes up- The cat is scratching at the door, demanding entry like he owns the place, which let us be honest, he does. I let him in, feed him, and stand in the kitchen with my first coffee of the day, a sacred moment of calm before the chaos begins.

I had a bath the night before, hot water is my comfort and always has been, and yes, I will absolutely shower this morning too. And yes, I wash my hair both times. No judgement please.

Then it is time to wake my son, make sure he has had a proper breakfast and check his break time snack is packed. Phone? Water bottle? Keys? And then I politely ask him approximately 49 times to get ready.

Somewhere in between that, I brush my teeth, get dressed, and mentally prepare for whatever the day is about to throw at me.

Harry heads up to catch the school bus and I leave the car park with Olivia Dean blaring through the speakers, because every Care Coordinator needs a soundtrack.

First Stop- Morning Care Visit

My day begins with one of our lovely gentlemen. I assist him with personal care, making sure he’s comfortable, safe and ready for the day ahead. There is usually a tale or two thrown in, mostly mine, that has him cracking up. Laughter is part of care just as much as medication and routines.

I make sure he’s had his breakfast and medication before saying my goodbyes and heading off to the office.

Next Stop- Office Mode Activated

Computer on.
Emails open.
Coffee in hand.

If I have been organised, I will have brought breakfast with me. If I have been really naughty, sorry Angel, I may have grabbed a Red Bull on the way in. Sometimes one for Rhiannon too if she is feeling brave.

Then comes the rota.

Some days it is simple adjustments.
Some days it is onboarding new reablement clients.
Some days it is sourcing new care packages to fit within our capacity.
And some days it is pure carnage.

Secretly, I thrive on the busy days. I might have a very vocal mini breakdown about it, but that is where Rhiannon and Belinda come in. A supportive word, a reality check, and we go again.

The Unpredictable Bits-
(No two days are ever the same)

There might be emergencies to attend, carers needing urgent support, families needing reassurance, new enquiries coming in and the phones ringing.

Throughout it all, we are available to carers, clients, families, and those reaching out for care for themselves or a loved one.

It is busy. It is intense. It can be emotional. But it matters.

Behind every call is a person. Behind every rota change is a real life. And that responsibility is NEVER lost on us.

Home Time- Round 2

When the office day ends, it is straight back into Mum mode.

I meet my son from the bus, get dinner on, do the washing up and dance around the kitchen listening to Alexa whilst cleaning. Sometimes I have to chase the cat off various car roofs, sometimes I get to actually chill out. I love to help Harry with a bit of homework and then have another bath… Obviously.

Then bed, ready to do it all again tomorrow.

_________

Every day in the life would look different if I wrote it next week. The tasks would change. The challenges would change. The emergencies would change.

In April I will have been at 1 Oak for 7 years, and in all that time not a single day has ever been the same. What has remained constant though, is the heart of the team, the support we give one another, and the genuine care that runs through everything we do.

I am proud as punch to be part of such a fantastic team at 1 Oak Care, and I would not want to be anywhere else.

13/02/2026

'I hope this book can show people a little about what it is like to live with Alzheimer’s. How frightening and confusing it is. But also how much life can still bring joy and be valued.'

Fiona Phillips was just 61 when she discovered she had early-onset dementia. In her book, 'Remember When: My life with Alzheimer's', Fiona and her husband Martin share an honest and important insight into what it's like to live with dementia.

We’re incredibly grateful to our Ambassador Fiona for continuing to share her story so openly to help raise vital awareness of dementia.

The Sunday Times No 1 bestseller is now available in paperback.

12/02/2026

Day in the Life of Rhiannon
Registered Manager | 1 Oak Home Care 💜💚

My alarm goes off at 5:30am… and I usually snooze it three times before I finally accept defeat at 6am 😅

First job of the day – hair. And when I say hair… there’s a lot of it! Wash, blow dry, tame the mane and attempt to look semi-organised for whatever the day is about to throw at me.

By around 7am I’m usually in the office.

Heating on.
Radio on.
Cheesy hits playing loud enough for a solo concert before anyone else arrives 🎶

It’s my five minutes of calm before the 1 Oak whirlwind begins.

I finish off anything from the day before that didn’t quite get ticked off the list (there’s always something). Then I log onto our care planning system to make sure all 7am calls have been signed into and everyone is safely at work. That first check of the day matters – our team’s safety and our clients’ wellbeing come first.

Next, emails. Overnight updates. Professional correspondence. Queries from families.

At 7:40am, our Deputy Manager arrives and we have a quick catch-up – what happened yesterday, anything outstanding, priorities for today, who needs extra support, and what fires might need putting out.

And then… the day begins properly.

My role can go from 0–100 in five minutes.

One moment I’m:
• Completing audits
• Writing or updating policies
• Reviewing care plans
• Reading care notes
• Checking compliance

The next I’m:
• Liaising with GPs, District Nurses or Social Workers
• Raising safeguarding concerns (Not about our service!)
• Submitting CQC statutory notifications
• Supporting staff through difficult situations
• Visiting clients to gather feedback and see how we can improve

At some point throughout the day, our office door is always open. We actively welcome staff to pop in and have a chat – whether it’s a quick five-minute catch-up, an update about a client, raising a concern, or simply needing a wellbeing chat. Care can be heavy, and nobody should carry that alone. Sometimes those little conversations are just as important as the audits and paperwork 💜

No two days are ever the same.

I attend to most emergencies throughout the day (and sometimes night). If a staff member has had a tough visit, I’m there. If a client needs urgent support, I’ll step in so the rota can continue safely. That’s part of leadership in care – being present when it matters most.

In between, I’ll:
• Place online orders for 1 Oak Community Meals
• Check private invoicing payments
• Return to auditing (again!)
• Review care plan updates from our wonderful Team Leaders
• Check staff are running on time
• Think constantly about how we can improve

Quality never stands still.

Between 3pm and 4pm (depending on the day), I swap hats and go to collect my little champ from school – or from my parents. And just like that, I’m no longer Registered Manager… I’m Bonus Mum 💜

Home time becomes:
Homework time
Dinner cooking
Laundry folding
Life admin

And just as I finally sit down to eat… that’s usually when the “emergency” calls come in 📞

“Client’s not quite right…”
“Client has experienced a fall…”
“Client has become significantly unwell…”

And that’s it – I’m up. I’m on the phone. I’m coordinating. I’m advising. I’m supporting staff. I’m checking observations. I’m liaising with 111 or 999 if needed.

Dinner can wait.

Because when our clients or staff need support, I’m there. Always. 💜

Later in the evening, once things are calmer, I’m usually catching up with Angel, our CEO. We’ll have the conversations we didn’t quite get time for during the day – updates, ideas, challenges, plans, reflections – especially if one of us has been out of the office. Leadership doesn’t switch off at 5pm, and those check-ins matter.

With EastEnders, 4 in a Bed, Waterloo Road or Keeping Up Appearances eventually playing in the background once calm is restored 📺

Before bed, there’s usually one more switch back to work mode – catching up on social media for 1 Oak Home Care, Chilton Club or Community Meals. Sharing our wins, celebrating our team, showing the world what we do.

By 8pm I’m clock-watching thinking… is it bedtime yet? 😴

It’s busy.
It’s unpredictable.
It’s demanding.

But it’s also purposeful.

Being Registered Manager at 1 Oak isn’t just a job – it’s responsibility, leadership, problem-solving, protecting standards, supporting families, backing an incredible team, and making sure everyone – staff and clients alike – feels heard, supported and valued.

And tomorrow… we do it all again 💜💚

12/02/2026

Some moments don’t need words… just look at that smile 💜💚

When care first started, this lovely gentleman wasn’t too sure about having support in his home. It’s completely natural – inviting someone into your personal space can feel like a big step.

But fast forward to now… and I think his face says it all 🥹✨

Deep has built such a beautiful bond with him – filled with patience, kindness, laughter and genuine companionship. This is what we mean when we say care is about relationships, not just tasks. It’s about trust. It’s about dignity. It’s about feeling safe and understood.

We are so proud of you, Deep 💚

At 1 Oak Home Care, we take the time to get it right – because everyone deserves to feel comfortable, valued and truly cared for in their own home 🏡

💜💚

1 Oak Home Care

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