Home care provider Apex has built a care service where both the vulnerable and the team are treated with genuine love, patience, and the odd slice of birthday cake,” said its nominator.
“At Apex Healthcare Services, business and community aren’t two separate things— they’re part of one big, occasionally tea- fuelled, always compassionate family. Quite literally.
“Founded by a family, run like a family, and felt by every client and team member.”
Clients have invited carers to family weddings and one even wrote about them in her autobiography.
The company, which helps people to live comfortably at home, inspires them to rediscover hobbies, regain independence and, in one case, reconnect with long-lost family, said the nominator.
Even those outside their service are helped, “signposting people with difficult sponsorship experiences to proper support.”
‘No Laptop Days’ see managers out and about “chatting, laughing, sometimes doing the washing up.
“Apex proves that a business can be successful, soulful, and seriously community- spirited.”
“They are the heartbeat of care in Reading,” said a nominator. “This team doesn’t just
deliver care—they bring joy, dignity, and a true sense of family into the lives of the people they support.
“What sets them apart is their spirit. From singing with clients in their homes, to ensuring no team member is ever forgotten on their birthday, to organising roses for every client on Valentine’s Day—they make people feel special.”
Internally, they lift each other up. “They arrange social events not just for staff, but for
their families too—because when the whole family is supported, everyone thrives,” said the nominator.
Having won the award, Operations manager Ioana Tsonkov said: ”The feeling of hard work paying off is great–we often stay silent and just go about our normal day, but to be recognised is lovely.”
Keith said of the event: “It’s a fantastic celebration, the whole team is so nice. For myself, I’m still processing that it’s just happened, but it’s so nice.
“The atmosphere is so nice and there’s so much good stuff going on here in Reading.
“The work we do is very person-centred, and of course you don’t do this kind of work
for the recognition, but it makes you feel extra valued, and that’s a lovely reflection upon the good work we do.”
