Mountside Volunteer Story Hits Local News

Mountside Care Home Celebrates the Power of Volunteering and Community Connection

At ACI Care, we love to celebrate the people who make our homes such special places and at Mountside Care Home in Hastings, one volunteer has truly captured hearts.

The team at Mountside recently shared the story of volunteer Sandra Reakes, whose weekly visits have brought laughter, warmth, and companionship to residents for over 15 months. Sandra’s kindness and the friendships she’s built have had such a positive impact on everyone that the home decided to share her story with the local newspaper as a way of saying a heartfelt thank you.

“Sandra brightens up everyone’s day,” said the Mountside team. “She listens, she cares, and she brings joy with every visit. Sharing her story felt like the perfect way to show our appreciation.”

Sandra first connected with Mountside through Hastings Voluntary Action, hoping to make a difference in her community. Since then, her Wednesday afternoon visits have become a much-loved part of life at the home. Residents look forward to their chats, describing Sandra as “a great listener” and “a real friend.”

Volunteers like Sandra bring something special to care homes, a reminder of the simple power of human connection. Their time and companionship can lift spirits, reduce loneliness, and help residents stay engaged with the wider community.

By sending the story to Sussex World, Mountside Care Home hopes to inspire others to discover the rewards of volunteering and to remind everyone how meaningful small acts of kindness can be.

The full article about Sandra’s story can be read on Sussex World, celebrating not only her contribution but the values but the impact it has had on the heart of the care home community.

Read the full story on Sussex World