Gardiner's Homecare

10 Church Street, Caversham, Reading RG4 8DZ
Submit a Review
9.9 185 Reviews
  • Gardiner's Homecare, Reading
Gardiner's has over 50 years of providing domiciliary care to people in their own homes in and around Reading and South Oxfordshire.

Their experienced and friendly team are passionate about helping others and supporting them to continue independent and fulfilling lives in the comfort and familiarity of home.

If you are looking for someone to provide company and a little help around the house, or perhaps to assist with personal care or medication, Gardiner's can help.

Gardiner's takes great care to recruit care workers with a passion for helping others. They highly value their team, looking after them and supporting them at all times. It is a family business with an enviable reputation locally. They frequently receive fantastic feedback from grateful clients and their families, and indeed have been recognised by this website on several occasions for that.

Care Provided by Gardiner's Homecare

  • Type of Service
  • Home Care Provider
  • Privately Owned
  • Specialist Care Categories
  • Call in Service
  • Cancer Care
  • Cleaning Service
  • Companionship
  • Dementia
  • Domestic Services / Home Help
  • Food Preparation & Serving
  • High Dependency Care, two carers attending
  • Laundry Service
  • Learning Disability
  • Medication Assistance
  • Older Person Care
  • Palliative Care
  • Personal Hygiene Care
  • Physical Disability
  • Respite cover
  • Sensory Impairment
  • Shopping Service / Errands
  • Sit in Service
  • Transportation Service
  • Other Care Provided
  • 24 Hour Care
  • Adult Home Care (18+)
  • Hospital Discharge
  • Live in Carer
  • Personal Care (on a contracted hours basis)
  • Personal Care Assessments
  • Risk Assessments in the Home

Good to Know

  • Owner
  • Gardiner's Homecare
  • Person in charge
  • Krista Hallett (Registered Manager)

Funding & Fees Guide for Gardiner's Homecare

  • Prices
  • Mon to Fri before 6pm - £35.00 per hour.
    Weekdays after 6pm + weekends all day - £39.38 per hour.


    Sleeping nights (10hrs): Mon-Thurs £165, Fri-Sun £185.
    Waking nights (10hrs): Mon-Thurs £215, Fri-Sun £240.


Total of 185, showing 61-80
9.9

Gardiner's Homecare has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.944) out of 10, based on 39 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Gardiner's Homecare has 185 reviews.

Overall Experience

  • 175
  • 10
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Date Published

185
5
16
39
146
Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I wanted to thank Gardiner's for all the support and care given to my mother in difficult circumstances.
I found Gardiner's to be helpful, responsive and provide excellent care.
All the carers visiting my mother were on time, friendly, good communicators and very caring.
Especially of note were two
staff members who were outstanding.
I needed to increase my mother's care after two falls and, despite an acute shortage of carers due to demand and sickness, my care manager found a way to help while I was in a mini-crisis.
Thank you all. I highly recommend your services.

Reply from Suzanne Screen, Office Manager at Gardiner's Homecare

Such great feedback thank you, we shall be sure to pass on your comments to the care workers mentioned. So happy to be able to help and your appreciation is much valued.


Staff

Care / Support

Management

Treated with Dignity

Value for Money

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Gardiner's provided a most reliable and helpful service to my mother, which enabled her to stay in her own home for as long as possible. The carers were kind and supportive as they helped her with her personal care, always turning up on time and doing whatever she asked them to do around the house when
needed. We are very grateful for all the support they gave her.

Reply from Suzanne Screen, Office Manager at Gardiner's Homecare

Thank you for sharing your experience of the support provided to your mother, enabling her to remain in her own home as long as she did.


Staff

Care / Support

Management

Treated with Dignity

Value for Money

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My husband's complex health issues were sensitively addressed by the well-trained carers from Gardiner's. I appreciated the manager making regular comprehensive reviews of my husband's changing needs and capabilities. This made a good match between him and his carers more possible. Also, as dementia
took over, it was important that he knew and felt safe with the same few ladies.
From the start, I knew that Gardiner's would be reliable and they were. Care arrived on time whether there was heavy snow, a sudden crisis on Christmas Day or a global pandemic...
It is my belief that the mutual trust and respect between the care users, the fabulous carers themselves and the office staff is the key to Gardiner's rightly earned good reputation.
Without the help of Gardiner's lovely kind carers, my husband would not have been able to remain at home right up until the end of his life. I thank everyone for that.

Reply from Suzanne Screen, Office Manager at Gardiner's Homecare

What a comprehensive and wonderful review, thank you! So pleased that with our care and support we were able to help him to stay at home with you until the end.


Staff

Care / Support

Management

Treated with Dignity

Value for Money

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mother received care at home for three years from Gardiner's. Without exception, the care she received was excellent with kind and helpful staff, and the overall service provided was extremely flexible and responsive. My brother and I are extremely grateful for the fantastic support and cannot recommend
Gardiner's enough.

Reply from Suzanne Screen, Office Manager at Gardiner's Homecare

Thank you for such great feedback about the care and support provided, and we are delighted that you would happily recommend us to others.


Staff

Care / Support

Management

Treated with Dignity

Value for Money

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

When you are faced with the decision that you need to find care for a parent lots of things go through your mind...will the carer actually care? Will Mum be safe? Will your parents home be respected?
I can honestly say that the care received by Gardiner's was fantastic.
Mum had regular carers, which
with dementia is important. They arrived on time and never rushed Mum. In the face of a difficult decision choose Gardiners. It’s peace of mind.

Reply from Suzanne Screen, Office Manager at Gardiner's Homecare

We are glad you chose us too! And are also pleased to know that as well as the support provided, we were able to give you peace of mind.


Staff

Care / Support

Management

Treated with Dignity

Value for Money

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The care provided by Gardiner's for our mother was outstanding. The staff were professional, calm, kind and thoughtful; not just to our mother but also supported family members who were involved in the day to day care of our mother.
We had tried other care providers before Gardiner's, however, we made
the right decision to go with Gardiner's.

Reply from Suzanne Screen, Office Manager at Gardiner's Homecare

How lovely to hear you found our care outstanding! And also that we supported the family as well as your mother. Thank you for sharing your experience of our service.


Staff

Care / Support

Management

Treated with Dignity

Value for Money

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I thought the care that my dad received from Gardiner's was excellent. He has dementia and is a very eccentric character. I wasn't sure if any carers would be able to deal with his difficult behaviour. Gardiner's were fab and my dad developed a really special bond with certain carers that I wouldn't
have dreamed was possible! I was so grateful for the two-and-a-half years that Gardiner's looked after my dad. His quality of life rocketed as a result.

Reply from Suzanne Screen, Office Manager at Gardiner's Homecare

We are all so pleased that we were able to support your father to remain at home as long as possible, and also longer than many thought would be the case. He did present some unique challenges but we are very proud of our team who embraced them and found ways to meet his needs and provide the care and support required. And yes, they grew a special bond with him too.


Staff

Care / Support

Management

Treated with Dignity

Value for Money

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Amazing care provided. We found them very professional, caring and always helpful and supportive to both client and family. They were also very flexible as needs changed with my mothers care, and the app is very helpful to check in and see what kind of day the person being cared for is having.

Reply from Suzanne Screen, Office Manager at Gardiner's Homecare

Thank you for leaving your feedback, we do appreciate your comments. And yes, the app works really well for the care workers and the office team too! We work hard at ensuring the best communication possible for all.


Staff

Care / Support

Management

Treated with Dignity

Value for Money

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Gardiner's are a professional care agency. They provided friendly, caring staff who made time for my mother and took a personal interest in her life, family and care requirements. The use of the one-pass system made it easy for me to keep in contact with them and see the care being provided.

Reply from Suzanne Screen, Office Manager at Gardiner's Homecare

We appreciate your taking the time to leave some feedback. And that you found our service professional and caring. The PASS system app certainly is great for many things, including ensuring communication between the office, the care workers, the clients, and their family.


Staff

Care / Support

Management

Treated with Dignity

Value for Money

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

It was a very good service from start to finish. The assessment was thorough and the assessor was very patient and understanding. The carer who was assigned to help my aunt was lovely. She was caring, patient, understanding and had a good sense of humour. The carer was reliable, always arriving on time,
and checked what she was expected to do or what needed doing. We did not use the service for very long as my aunt's circumstances changed, but for the short time, we used the service I was confident my aunt was being well cared for.

Reply from Suzanne Screen, Office Manager at Gardiner's Homecare

We are delighted to hear that you were pleased with our service and the care provided. Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback.


Staff

Care / Support

Management

Treated with Dignity

Value for Money

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

This was a very good experience overall, considering the tragic circumstances.
Care was easy to set up. Gardiners Homecare were able to start at quite short notice (4 days) and were fully up to speed in 6 days.
Management was always responsive and sympathetic. Communication within Gardiners was exceptionally
good. They really worked as a team.
We experienced a variety of carers. Most were excellent. One or two were merely good. My poor wife found just one carer difficult and we only had to feed this back and she never came again. One or two were outstanding including the one we saw most of.
Punctuality was always perfect. Comings and goings were unobtrusive.
I realise that this service, while good value for money, may be out of reach for many on financial grounds. However it enabled my poor wife to be as comfortable as possible at home right to the end, which was what she wanted. I am very grateful for that. Combined with strong support from District Nurses and our GP we were indeed fortunate.

Reply from Suzanne Screen, Office Manager at Gardiner's Homecare

Thank you for your feedback, delighted to hear that you found Gardiner's responsive and sympathetic and our communication good. The care managers work closely with their clients to tailor the support to their individual needs and will adapt the team if necessary to provide the right fit for the individual. We are proud to have been part of the team that enabled your wife to be comfortable at home as she had wished.


Staff

Care / Support

Management

Treated with Dignity

Value for Money

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Gardiners were very quickly able to put a daily carer in place for two weeks for my mum after a fall. The carer was lovely and my mum got reassurance from her help with bathing and getting ready for the day. We were able to extend the care for a further week at short notice as my mum wasn't quite ready
to "go it alone". She enjoyed seeing a friendly face every morning at 7am. Admin staff and carers lovely. Won't hesitate to use Gardiners again should the need arise.

Reply from Suzanne Screen, Office Manager at Gardiner's Homecare

Thank you for sharing your experience, we are delighted to have supported your mum whilst she recovered.


Staff

Care / Support

Management

Treated with Dignity

Value for Money

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I highly recommend Gardiner's who cared for my elderly father. I did not live locally and felt confident that my father received high-quality care. Carers arrived on time and provided the care that was planned, careers even went beyond if it was needed. My father had consistent careers and had confidence
in them, he had a good report and felt safe in their care. For me what I found particularly excellent was that Gardiner's always communicated with me well, if there were any changes in my dad’s needs they were accessible at all times and responsive. I am an ex-nurse and have experienced many care agencies. I would say that Gardiner's are an excellent company and for what they provided value for money.

Reply from Suzanne Screen, Office Manager at Gardiner's Homecare

Thank you so much for such fantastic feedback! We are delighted that you found the care and service provided to be of high quality and we value your recommendation.


Staff

Care / Support

Management

Treated with Dignity

Value for Money

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The care was very well balanced to look after my uncle who suffers from dementia and to support mum following a hip operation. The carers were friendly and quickly understood the different needs of the two residents. They gave mum the support she needed to help her back to her independent living and
made sure that my uncle was well cared for during a confusing and worrying time for him. The carers not only supported mum and uncle but also gave the rest of the family confidence to know that they were being well looked after. Thank you to all involved.

Reply from Suzanne Screen, Office Manager at Gardiner's Homecare

So great to hear that our service matched their differing needs, a person-centred approach is so important! As is providing reassurance and confidence to the family that their loved ones are being well cared for. Thank you for sharing your experience of Gardiner's Homecare.


Staff

Care / Support

Management

Treated with Dignity

Value for Money

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We have been using Gardiner's Homecare for over two years to provide home care for Mum.
They have always been very caring, ensuring Mum took her medication and helping with showering and preparing meals etc. We had regular meetings with Mum's care manager to discuss her needs and we were always kept
informed. During the two years, we were never let down and that gave us peace of mind, knowing Mum was safe. We can't thank Gardiner's Homecare enough and would highly recommend them.

Reply from Suzanne Screen, Office Manager at Gardiner's Homecare

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We are all appreciative of your comments and shall share these with her team of care workers too.


Staff

Care / Support

Management

Treated with Dignity

Value for Money

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

We used Gardiner's Homecare for my father's care when he was ill with terminal cancer. We arranged carers every morning to assist with personal care. All of his Gardiner's Homecare carers were friendly and efficient but most of all caring. They took time to chat with him and make sure he was happy,
comfortable and ensured he was dealt with in a dignified manner. The whole team were friendly, helpful and took the time to get to know my dad so that he felt comfortable and important. In his final days Gardiner's Homecare provided night nurses who were professional, understanding and reassuring. I would one hundred percent recommend their services.

Reply from Suzanne Screen, Office Manager at Gardiner's Homecare

Thank you for your kind feedback, we shall share these comments with your father's team. We are glad to have been a support during difficult times and pleased that you would recommend us to others.


Staff

Care / Support

Management

Treated with Dignity

Value for Money

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Evening meal cooked by various ladies working with Gardiner's Homecare, three times per week through 2020: obviously different individuals have different styles. All were courteous and willing and did their best.

Reply from Suzanne Screen, Office Manager at Gardiner's Homecare

Thank you for sharing your experience of our service.


Staff

Care / Support

Management

Treated with Dignity

Value for Money

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Gardiners provided a wonderful service with morning and respite visits for my mum in the final few weeks of her life. The care staff were extremely well trained and, as I was full-time care for the rest of the day, I learnt much from them on the best way things are done. The conversations were also
well appreciated too. I cannot recommend this company highly enough.

Reply from Suzanne Screen, Office Manager at Gardiner's Homecare

We were delighted to be of support to both you and your late mother. Your fantastic feedback will be shared with her team who will appreciate your lovely comments, thank you.


Staff

Care / Support

Management

Treated with Dignity

Value for Money

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The wonderful staff at Gardiner's Homecare looked after my dad for two years and allowed him to live in his own home up to and beyond 100. We cannot praise the carers enough, they all got to know Dad, learnt about his needs, and were always very patient. They all became friends as well as carers. Unfortunately,
he has had to go into a care home and I know he will miss them all.

Reply from Suzanne Screen, Office Manager at Gardiner's Homecare

Thank you for your great feedback, and we shall be sure to pass your praise onto his team of care workers. So pleased that we were able to enable your father to remain home as long as possible and past his 100th birthday! We hope he settles in well at the care home; we were delighted to hear that he has been reunited with an old friend!


Staff

Care / Support

Management

Treated with Dignity

Value for Money

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Gardiners were extremely helpful when my father suddenly needed 24-hour care, and there was no help available from statutory agencies. All the carers who looked after my father were kind, caring and professional. The management team in the office were also very kind and helpful, supporting me through
a very stressful time. Great service all-round.

Reply from Suzanne Screen, Office Manager at Gardiner's Homecare

Delighted to have been able to support both you and your father. We truly appreciate your feedback and are glad to hear that you found our service great.


Staff

Care / Support

Management

Treated with Dignity

Value for Money

Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.944)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.944) out of 10 for Gardiner's Homecare is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 39 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 39 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Home Care Provider is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.944 for Gardiner's Homecare is calculated as follows: ( (220 Excellents x 5) + (11 Goods x 4) + (1 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 232 Ratings = 4.944

  • b) 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5').

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows: 3 points for the first Positive Review, 2 points in total for each of the next 9 Positive Reviews (1st = 3, 2nd = 0.5, 3rd = 0.5, 4th = 0.25, 5th = 0.25, 6th = 0.1, 7th = 0.1, 8th = 0.1, 9th = 0.1, 10th = 0.1)

    The 5 points relating to the number of Positive Reviews for Gardiner's Homecare is based on 39 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as follows: 3 + 0.5 + 0.5 + 0.25 + 0.25 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 5

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • If a Home Care Provider does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Performance

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating

Date: 26 Apr 2018

Overall
Good

  • Caring

    Good
  • Effective

    Good
  • Responsive

    Outstanding
  • Safe

    Good
  • Well-led

    Good

Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England.

View Latest Report

Awards / Recognitions (5)

Loading...

Loading

Loading
Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading events

Loading

Meet the Team (11)

John-Joe

John-Joe Cottam

Job Title: Managing Director

Joined: 2010

John-Joe is the joint owner and managing director of Gardiner’s Nursing & Homecare. He is the grandson of Gardiner’s founder Dorothy Gardiner. John-Joe studied Psychology at the University of Leicester before qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 2003.


John-Joe worked as an audit manager with many successful owner-manager-managed businesses until December 2009.


In 2010 John-Joe joined Gardiner’s, taking over the running of Gardiner’s Nursing & Homecare in April 2011.


Krista

Krista Hallett

Job Title: Registered Manager

Joined: 2015

Krista joined Gardiner’s as a Care Manager in March 2015. In September 2018, following Annabel’s retirement, Krista took on the role of Registered Manager.


Before joining Gardiner’s, Krista worked in the care sector for 10 years, starting as a healthcare assistant and then progressing to a Senior care worker/Care Coordinator, assisting with all aspects of the care industry.


Suzanne

Suzanne Screen

Job Title: Office Manager

Joined: 2013

Suzanne is the office manager here at Gardiner’s. Her role is to help ensure that everything runs smoothly behind the scenes, this includes looking after our accounts and payroll processes. Suzanne is involved in many other areas of the business including marketing and social media.


Prior to joining Gardiner’s in September 2013, Suzanne was the Practice Manager at Caversham Heights Dental Practice for over 15 years, working with David Cottam, John-Joe’s father.


Germaine

Germaine Goswell

Job Title: New Client Manager

Joined: 2024

Germaine's main responsibility is welcoming enquiries and answering any questions they may have. Anyone wishing to proceed with our service is then guided through the process of assessment and providing the required support.


Germaine has gained her NVQ Level 5 in Health and Social Care and has many years of experience in the care sector.


She has a wealth of knowledge that she can bring to the role and share with you.


Leanne

Leanne Edwards

Job Title: Care Manager

Joined: 2016

Leanne's main role is to manage the support of her team of clients and care workers. She keeps in regular contact with them, adapting to their changing needs.


Leane has been in the care industry for a long time and joined Gardiner's as a Care Worker in May 2016. In September 2017 she became a Senior Care Worker at Gardiner's before being promoted to the role of Care Manager.


Alex

Alex Snow

Job Title: Care Manager

Joined: 2017

Alex's main role is to look after her team of clients and care workers, providing regular support and adapting to their needs.


Alex originally trained as a staff nurse at the Royal Berkshire Hospital and went on to specialise in respiratory medicine before becoming part of the cardiac care team. She started with Gardiner's as a care worker before progressing to Care Manager, bringing a wealth and variety of experience.


Lianne

Lianne Maguire

Job Title: Care Manager

Joined: 2015

Lianne manages a team of care workers and clients. She keeps in touch with them regularly to respond to any changes required.


Lianne, also known as Mags, had worked in the care industry for over 10 years before joining Gardiner's in 2015. She has a vast amount of experience and knowledge that she brings to the role of Care Manager.


Hayleigh

Hayleigh O'Brien

Job Title: Recruitment & Development Manager

Joined: 2021

Hayleigh looks after the recruitment of care workers and the continuing development of the team at Gardiner's.


Hayleigh joined Gardiner's as a Care Worker in December 2021, previously working as an HR administrator.  She moved into her current position in May 2023, perfectly combining her knowledge of both previous roles.


Jasmine

Jasmine Corbin

Job Title: Care Co-rdinator

Joined: 2023

Jasmine oversees all the duties, booking in care workers for each visit. Her priority is to keep a regular team in place and as small a team as possible. Whilst also arranging cover for well earnt holiday and unexpected time off. Continuity of care is very important at Gardiner's.


Jasmine started at Gardiner's as a Care Worker so understands the needs of the clients and the care workers and the value of matching the right people.


Tracy

Tracy Beamond

Job Title: Senior Care Worker

Joined: 2018

Tracy supports the office team and care workers. Her role varies from completing client assessments, reviews and to guiding and observing care workers.


Tracy joined Gardiner's as a Care Worker in November 2016 before becoming a Senior Care Worker in June 2018. Before this, she worked with adults with learning and physical difficulties supporting them in their own homes. Before that Tracy worked in various children's residential homes.


Cheryl

Cheryl Willis

Job Title: Office Administrator

Joined: 2011

Cheryl is the welcoming face of Gardiner's Homecare. She is based on reception and greets visitors with a warm smile and if is unable to assist herself, she points you in the right direction.


Cheryl started at Gardiner's in 2011 as a Care Worker before progressing to Office Administrator in 2014. She has a variety of experience having also come from a background in pensions, retail, accounts, and administration.