On 4 December, we proudly celebrated a milestone moment for Acorn Lodge, as our dedicated team was nominated for two prestigious Caring UK Awards: Best Quality Housekeeping and Catering Team of the Year.
Representing Medicrest with distinction, several members of our team travelled to the iconic Athena Theatre in Leicester, joining esteemed colleagues from across the care sector for an unforgettable evening of recognition, celebration and inspiration.
The Caring UK Awards have solidified their status as one of the most prominent and eagerly anticipated events within the care sector.
Supported by respected sponsors including Virgin Money, NGA Care, and Spark Care, the awards pay tribute to excellence across elderly care, honouring the dedication, innovation, and compassion demonstrated by carers, nurses, chefs, housekeeping teams, and care home leaders throughout the UK.
The Caring UK Awards serve as a powerful platform to shine a spotlight on the individuals and teams who continually go above and beyond to provide exceptional care. As the sector evolves, these awards play a vital role in showcasing best practice, encouraging continuous improvement, and celebrating the inspiring stories that define the heart of elderly care.
Each nomination reflects excellence in practice, depth of expertise, and unwavering commitment. For Acorn Lodge to be shortlisted among hundreds of entries nationwide demonstrates the exceptional quality of service our teams deliver daily.
The ceremony itself was nothing short of extraordinary, an Oscar like celebration designed to honour the champions of care. Guests were greeted by a luxurious red-carpet reception, setting the tone for an evening that blended prestige, celebration and community spirit.
The programme included:
A lavish four-course dining experience.
World-class live entertainment inspired by the artistry and spectacle of Cirque du Soleil.
Networking opportunities among professionals from care homes, industry partners, and support services across the UK.
An atmosphere brimming with excitement, pride and admiration for the sector’s achievements.
Every detail contributed to a night dedicated to celebrating the people whose compassion and professionalism shape the lives of thousands of residents every day.
For Acorn Lodge, being recognised as a finalist in not one but two competitive award categories stands as a testament to our teams’ relentless passion for delivering outstanding care.
This achievement is not simply a nomination, it is a reflection of:
Exceptional standards in housekeeping, ensuring residents enjoy clean, comfortable, and welcoming surroundings.
A talented catering team devoted to preparing nutritious, beautifully presented meals that support wellbeing and spark joy.
A culture of teamwork, excellence and attention to detail.
A shared commitment to making Acorn Lodge feel like home for every resident.
Although we did not take home the awards on this occasion, the nomination alone places Acorn Lodge among the top providers in the UK, an outstanding accomplishment that highlights the dedication of our staff and reinforces our commitment to exceptional care.
The Best Quality Housekeeping nomination acknowledges the vital yet often unsung work of the housekeeping team. Their contribution extends far beyond daily cleaning tasks.
They foster environments that are:
Hygienic and safe, supporting health and wellbeing.
Warm and welcoming, helping residents feel at ease.
Comfortable and personalised, enhancing the sense of home.
Their attention to detail enriches daily life for residents and supports the overall ambience of Acorn Lodge. This recognition affirms the team’s commitment to upholding the highest standards.
Food plays a central role in promoting health, happiness and comfort within a care setting. The Catering Team of the Year nomination celebrates Acorn Lodge’s passionate chefs and kitchen staff who:
Create wholesome, flavourful and nutritious meals tailored to residents’ tastes and dietary needs.
Prioritise fresh, in-house cooking, using quality ingredients.
Design menus that honour tradition while introducing enjoyable variety.
Bring residents together through the pleasure of shared meals.
Their work contributes significantly to residents’ quality of life, making this recognition truly deserved.
Each nomination reflects the dedication and professionalism that define Medicrest’s unwavering commitment to care.
They reinforce our belief in:
Investing in our people
Nurturing team culture
Celebrating achievements at every level
Continually raising standards across our homes
Being recognised at a national level strengthens our mission and motivates us to continue delivering exceptional service.
We extend our warmest congratulations to all the finalists and winners across the award categories.
Their hard work and compassion exemplify the best of our sector. We also celebrate our incredible teams across every Medicrest home, who demonstrate dedication, empathy, and professionalism day after day.
To the team at Acorn Lodge, we could not be prouder. Your achievements reflect the essence of what we stand for, quality, dignity, compassion, and excellence in elderly care.
As we reflect on this year’s Caring UK Awards, our focus remains clear: to continuously elevate the standard of care, empower our teams, and enhance the experience of every resident who calls our homes their own.
These nominations reflect our progress, and inspire us to keep striving for excellence.
View feedback from each of our care homes.
We take pride in the kind words and positive reviews we receive from our residential
care homes in Surrey and West Sussex. Your trust and appreciation serve as powerful
reminders of why we do what we do.
We look forward to hearing from you.
