The Carer, 3, Carlton Mount, 2 Cranborne Road, Bournemouth (2025)

25/11/2025

One Family Home To 28 Care Homes, B&M Care’s 50th Anniversary

Family-run care provider B&M Care is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a commitment to innovation, specialist dementia support and sustainable growth across its 28 care homes.

Founded in 1975 when Chairman Bill Hughes purchased his first care home in St Albans for just £1 to register, B&M Care has grown from a single home into a regional provider.

To mark its 50th year, B&M Care is shining a spotlight on the principles that have shaped the organisation since day one: compassion, connection and commitment. Today, more than 1,500 staff work across the homes in Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Northamptonshire and Greater London.

Key highlights from the 50 years

- The ongoing rollout of innovative dementia-care tools including PainChek™ and Dementia Care Mapping™

- Continued development of the company’s Complex Dementia Hubs, designed to support individuals with higher dementia care needs

- Major investment in environmental sustainability through solar panels, ground-source heating and electric kitchens across homes

- Refurbishment and renovation projects across multiple homes
- Progress on a new 91 bed care home in Milton Keynes, due to open in 2027

Caroline Inch, the Director of Dementia Care, at B&M Care says,
“every person living with dementia deserves an environment where they feel safe, understood and valued. The Rose Model helps us deliver care that honours every individual’s story, abilities and emotional needs”.

As part of its anniversary year, B&M Care has released an updated brand identity. Its new tagline, “Understanding Lives Here,” reflects the organisation’s focus on educating families, supporting local communities and deepening understanding of dementia through its free events. A son of a resident living in Chesham Bois Manor said, “They consistently put my dad’s needs first, ensuring personalised attention. Their kindness, along with the entire caregiving team’s patience and unwavering commitment, has significantly improved my dad’s quality of life”.

The company’s 50th year has centred heavily on recognising the staff, residents and families who form the heart of B&M Care.

This includes the launch of the 50 Acts of Kindness campaign, beginning with a £50 thank you voucher gifted to every employee. Teams across the organisation pledged to complete 50 acts of kindness, from sponsored walks and volunteering in the local community, to creating gift baskets for local charities.

The celebrations continued with a 50th Anniversary Gala and individual events held across all B&M Care homes, including a street party at Clare Lodge in St Albans, where the company’s story began.

Read More:

Family-run care provider B&M Care is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a commitment to innovation, specialist dementia support and sustainable growth

25/11/2025

SCIE’s New Report Finds People Who Draw On Social Care Feel Excluded From Reform Efforts

The Social Care Institute for Excellence’s (SCIE’s) new report, titled ‘Shaping change together: co-producing innovation in social care’, examines how people receiving social care, carers and families are involved in shaping social care services. Drawing on the findings from a national survey, it explores how collaboration works in practice, what barriers persist and how innovation can be made to deliver genuine improvement for people’s lives.

The report found that:

- When collaboration works well, it generates fresh thinking and solutions that are trusted, usable and ready to embed in everyday practice;
- However, while 72% of professionals believe it is currently working well enough to drive meaningful change, only 53% of people who use social care—and just 28% of families—agree;
- People who use social care highlighted that systemic or organisational barriers prevent collaboration from working, and families highlighted that they felt left out of fast-paced decision-making.

SCIE will join other sector leaders at the National Children and Adult Services Conference (NCASC) 2025 this week to share insights from the report, and will call for:

- Innovation must be built on collaboration from the start—helping identify what matters most and ensuring that new ideas are actually used and trusted. This will help to break down existing barriers which hinder genuine collaboration—from limited funding, unequal power dynamics, and co-production being treated as a ‘tick-box’ exercise—which helps shape solutions that are fair and practical.
- Long-term investment in people and partnerships, not just projects or technology—with funding for time, infrastructure and skills to make co-production standard practice.
- Stronger accountability for inclusion, ensuring that people’s input is visible, acted on and reported back.
- Capacity-building for local systems, supporting shared leadership and consistent feedback loops between strategic and frontline levels.
- National commitment to embed collaboration into future policy, ensuring that reform is designed with people, not imposed on them.
- System reform depends on innovation that is shaped and led by those who receive and deliver care. Without their insight, new ideas risk repeating old mistakes.

As the Government pushes forward with national reform, the lesson, the report says, is clear: innovation cannot be imposed from above. It must be built with the insight, experience and leadership of the people who live and work within the system every day.

Kathryn Marsden OBE, Chief Executive of SCIE, said:
“The problems social care faces cannot be solved without the people who experience them daily. Yet our survey shows that many of those people feel their voices are not leading to action. Despite widespread agreement on the value of co-production, only half of people accessing care and just a quarter of family carers felt that it was making a meaningful difference. That perception gap, between process and impact, is not just a communications challenge; it’s a signal that the system still lacks the structures, culture and accountability needed to make co-production real.”

Patrick Wood, Chair of SCIE’s Co-production Steering Group, said:
“Ultimately, co-production and innovation are all about change for the better, such as testing new ideas, opening up different perspectives and generating solutions that would not otherwise be tried. It’s a cause for concern that only half of the people who access care and support and just a quarter of family carers who responded to the survey felt that co-production was making a difference.

“Addressing the key recommendations contained in the report should help organisations and co-producers to maximise the radical potential and real-world impact of innovation through co-production, and I hope they will act as a spur for further conversations and activities that lead to change in practice.”

Read More:

The Social Care Institute for Excellence’s (SCIE’s) new report, titled ‘Shaping change together: co-producing innovation in social care’, examines how people

25/11/2025

Care England Calls on Providers to Stand Together and Complete ENIC Judicial Review Survey

Care England is inviting all adult social care providers to complete its national survey gathering evidence for the Judicial Review (JR) into the Government’s decision to increase Employer National Insurance Contributions (ENICs) without providing the necessary funding to the sector.

The deadline has now been extended to Wednesday 26 November to give providers every opportunity to contribute their experiences.

The survey will form a central part of the evidence submitted to the High Court and is critical to setting out the clear gap between the Government’s original assumptions and the reality experienced by providers over the past six months. Early responses have already strengthened our discussions with senior officials, providing real examples of how the ENIC increase has affected day-to-day operations, finances, and workforce stability.

However, to present a full and accurate picture, we now need a broader range of providers to share their experiences, so the evidence reflects the sector as a whole.

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, said:
“This is a moment for the sector to stand together. We have an opportunity to show, with clarity and conviction, the impact these decisions have had on our workforce, our services, and the people who rely on care every day. Your voice matters. Every response strengthens our case and moves us closer to securing the fairness and recognition this sector deserves. Please take the time to complete the survey - it is one of the most important things you can do for adult social care right now.”

The survey is open until 17:00 on Wednesday 26 November.

Access the survey here: Care England ENICs Impact Survey

Read More:

Care England is inviting all adult social care providers to complete its national survey gathering evidence for the Judicial Review (JR) into the Government’s

25/11/2025

Ellie Wins Carer Of The Year In National Care Awards 2025!

An outstanding Team Leader from a Sanctuary Care home in Birmingham has been named Carer of the Year at the National Care Awards 2025.

The achievement of Ellie Meredith, who works at The Beeches Residential Care Home in Northfield, celebrates her extraordinary dedication, compassion, and ability to enrich the lives of residents every single day.

Living with neurodiversity, 21-year-old Ellie initially found the unpredictability of care work challenging. Yet she has embraced the joy of her role and has certainly found her true calling. One of the residents at the not-for-profit Sanctuary Care home summed it up perfectly in Ellie’s nomination when they said: “This isn’t a job, it’s a vocation that Ellie was born to do.”

Following her win the home’s team organised a special party to celebrate with the residents, their loved ones and Ellie’s family. She said: "I'm really happy that I won Carer of the Year. My mom is really proud of me and I feel that I know what I want to do in life, which I didn't know before I came here. I know I'm good at my job and I love being at work and making the residents happy.”

Home manager Francesca Lisle said:
“We are all so proud of Ellie – this is such a huge achievement. Despite feeling overwhelmed at first, she relaxed and enjoyed her special night, and we couldn’t be happier for her.

“Ellie has sometimes struggled with recognising emotions in the past, however she really understands our residents so well, comforting and hugging them and holding their hands, which is so wonderful to see.”

Read More:

An outstanding Team Leader from a Sanctuary Care home in Birmingham has been named Carer of the Year at the National Care Awards 2025.

25/11/2025

DWP Launches Major Review of Carer’s Allowance Cases

The Department for Work and Pensions has launched a comprehensive reassessment programme affecting hundreds of thousands of unpaid carers across the UK, following revelations of widespread administrative failings in the Carer's Allowance system.

The decision follows an independent review which identified serious shortcomings in how the benefit has been administered, leaving many vulnerable carers facing substantial financial penalties and accumulated debts.

Reports emerged of carers receiving penalty demands reaching five-figure sums after inadvertently breaching earnings thresholds. Many affected individuals have described their treatment by departmental officials as heavy-handed, with some reporting they felt criminalised over administrative errors.

The Carer's Allowance scandal has highlighted systemic problems within the benefits system, particularly affecting those who provide unpaid care whilst working part-time to supplement their income.

Welfare Secretary Liz Kendall acknowledged the scale of the problem, stating that the current administration has taken swift action by commissioning an independent investigation and implementing corrective measures for those who have been negatively impacted.

The reassessment programme represents one of the largest reviews of benefit cases in recent years and is expected to take several months to complete. The DWP has not yet provided detailed timescales for individual case reviews.

Carer's Allowance provides £81.90 per week to those caring for someone at least 35 hours weekly, but recipients must earn less than £151 per week after deductions. Small breaches of this earnings limit have historically triggered significant overpayment recovery demands.

The reassessment will include:

- Government has said it will reassess cases dating back to 2015.
- Where averaging of earnings payments could have been lower, Government will repay or write off debt, including where money has been repaid in full.
- Carers UK’s evidence and dossier of over 100 carers’ experiences of overpayments feel vindicated

Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK said:
“It’s a landmark day today for the carers’ movement now that the Government has responded to the independent review of overpayments by Liz Sayce OBE.

“The move to reassess cases and repay or write off debt in certain circumstances is unprecedented in our view, a righting of a clear wrong. It is addressing this injustice head on.

“We have raised this scandal of overpayments since 2018, repeatedly highlighting a catalogue of issues faced by carers which caused huge emotional and financial distress and immense hardship for some.

“This Government acted quickly, agreeing to a visit with Carers UK and carers within weeks of coming to power for us to present our dossier of hundreds of carers’ experiences to Ministers and now has taken decisive action to redress many of the issues outlined.

“It’s absolutely right that the Government has taken the bold move of owning up to the mistakes of the DWP, which it largely inherited from the last Government.

Liz Sayce OBE, who led the Independent Review has really listened to us and to unpaid carers, and delivered an incredibly detailed report.

“We also want to pay tribute to the work that the Guardian and other media outlets have done in bringing this issue to public attention.

“Of course there will be an immense amount of detail to look through and digest, but we are hopeful that this can be the start of rebuilding carers’ trust in the system and that this is a positive indication that the door is open for further change - including longer-term reforms for Carer’s Allowance to ensure it better supports unpaid carers who balance paid work alongside their caring responsibilities.”

Read More:

The Department for Work and Pensions has launched a comprehensive reassessment programme affecting hundreds of thousands of unpaid carers across the UK,

25/11/2025

Princess Christian Care Centre Team Member Wins Prestigious Award For Outstanding Dementia Care

A dedicated team member at a Woking-based Care Home, part of family-run group Nellsar, has been awarded the esteemed title of Care Worker of the Year (Care/Nursing Home) at the Surrey Care Association Awards 2025 – a mark of excellence in the care sector across the region.

Yessica Afonso Baute, who has worked at Princess Christian Care Centre since 2019, was honoured for her exceptional dedication, compassion and person-centred approach, particularly in her role within the Home’s complex dementia care unit.

Working in the Bisley unit, which supports residents with advanced dementia and high care needs, Yessica has become known as a calm, intuitive and grounding presence – someone who consistently goes above and beyond to improve the lives of those around her.

Yessica said: “It means a lot to be recognised like this. Dementia care can be challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Supporting our residents is something I feel deeply passionate about and I’m grateful every day to be part of such a caring and dedicated team.”

Speaking about Yessica’s achievement, Mario Taherian, Home Manager at Princess Christian Care Centre, said:
“We’re so incredibly proud of Yessica. She brings kindness, calm and professionalism to everything she does, and her dedication to our residents, particularly those with complex needs, is inspiring.

“Her award recognises the breadth of what she brings to her role – from introducing tailored therapy techniques, to supporting new team members, to staying beyond her shifts to ensure residents are settled and comfortable. Her actions truly embody Nellsar’s values and it’s a real pleasure to see her recognised in this way.”

Read More:

A dedicated team member at a Woking-based Care Home, part of family-run group Nellsar, has been awarded the esteemed title of Care Worker of the Year

25/11/2025

Campaigners From The Care And Support Alliance Deliver Red Box Filled With Stories From Disabled People To 11 Downing Street

On the eve of the Budget, a hand-delivered letter was presented to the Chancellor at Number 11 Downing Street, drawing urgent attention to the crisis facing older people, disabled individuals and unpaid carers who can no longer afford to wait for decisive action on social care.

The intervention comes as social care funding remains critically inadequate, leaving hundreds of thousands without essential support required to live safely and maintain their dignity.

Demographic pressures—including an ageing population, rising disability levels and increasingly complex care needs—are intensifying demand at precisely the moment local authority budgets continue to contract, pushing services to breaking point.

Age UK estimates that two million people aged 65 and over have unmet care and support needs, whilst up to 1.5 million disabled adults in England who are eligible for assistance are currently receiving none. Meanwhile, the nation's 5.8 million unpaid carers face their own financial crisis, with 1.2 million living in poverty and 400,000 experiencing deep poverty. The letter to the Chancellor underscores that these are not merely statistics, but real people whose quality of life and wellbeing hang in the balance as the Government prepares its fiscal plans.

The CSA - a coalition of 60 leading charities has warned that without urgent investment, more disabled people, older people and unpaid carers will be left without the care and support they need. Families are pushed to breaking point as unpaid carers struggle to plug the gaps.

The Casey Commission on Social Care is examining the scale of the crisis, but with its final report not expected until 2028, campaigners say investment cannot be delayed. The Local Government Association (LGA) has estimated that, over the past decade, care costs have increased by £8.5bn but revenue only by £2.4bn, resulting in a £6.1bn funding gap - and growing. 9 in 10 social care directors have little or no confidence their budgets can meet legal duties. Action is urgently needed now, not in three years’ time.

Emily Holzhausen CBE, Director of Policy & Public Affairs at Carers UK and co-Chair of the Care and Support Alliance says:
“Today’s red box carries the real figures the Chancellor must consider – the disabled people, older people and carers who desperately need her to act. Social care is not a luxury – it’s essential for millions of families across the country and yet, far too many people are going without, bearing the cost of successive governments inaction. Investment in social care is not only about compassion but also about strengthening the NHS, the economy, and community. The chancellor must deliver the funding needed right here, right now.”

Vic, an unpaid carer who attended the hand-in at Downing Street, said: “I’ve been a carer for more than twenty years, supporting both my wife and my son while working full-time. My day doesn’t end when my shift does — I care before work, after work, and through the night. Like so many families, we just keep going because there’s no real safety net. What we need is proper funding for social care so that people like my son can live safely and reach their potential, and carers like me can get the breaks and support we need to stay well. Caring shouldn’t mean losing your health, your income, or your hope. We need a system that truly shares the responsibility, not one that leaves families to shoulder it alone.”

The CSA is calling on the Government to:

- Commit to long-term, sustainable funding for social care.
- Ensure fair pay and conditions for care staff.
- Guarantee that everyone who needs care and support can access it, regardless of where they live.

As the Chancellor prepares her Budget, campaigners urge her to remember the people behind the numbers – and to make social care a national priority.

Read More:

On the eve of the Budget, a hand-delivered letter was presented to the Chancellor at Number 11 Downing Street, drawing urgent attention to the crisis facing

24/11/2025

MP Susan Murray Highlights Community Spirit During Visit to Mavisbank Care Home

Residents and colleagues at HC-One Scotland’s Mavisbank in Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire, welcomed Susan Murray, MP for Mid Dunbartonshire, on Friday 14th November. The visit offered an opportunity for the MP to engage with residents and learn more about life at the home, which provides both nursing and nursing dementia care.

During her visit, Susan Murray toured Mavisbank’s welcoming facilities, including the quiet room, hair salon, lounge areas, ensuite bedrooms, and tranquil gardens. She also spent time speaking with residents and colleagues, gaining insight into the wide range of activities, care, and support that make Mavisbank a vibrant community.

Catherine Cairns, Home Manager at Mavisbank Care Home, said:
"Having Susan visit was a truly special day for everyone at Mavisbank. Our residents enjoyed sharing their stories, and it was fantastic to have the warm, supportive community we’ve built here recognised at a local level. Days like this really remind us why the relationships we nurture with residents, and their families are at the heart of everything we do."

Susan Murray, MP for Mid Dunbartonshire, commented:
“It was great to see the calm and friendly environment at Mavisbank created by the amazing relationship between carers and the residents of the home.”

Read More:

Residents and colleagues at HC-One Scotland’s Mavisbank in Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire, welcomed Susan Murray, MP for Mid Dunbartonshire, on Friday 14th

24/11/2025

“Catch A Bargain Not A Bug” With NHS Jabs Available On The High Street This Black Friday

NHS teams across the country are ramping up their winter flu vaccine offer in the lead up to Christmas – hitting the high street and local shopping centres in a bid to bring the vaccine closer to patients across the Black Friday sales.

The country-wide vaccination drive began at the weekend with those eligible for their free flu jab being urged to get vaccinated now to get protected before the festive period – with the vaccine usually taking two weeks to be fully effective.

The NHS is making it as easy as possible for those eligible to get the jab while out looking for Black Friday deals or Christmas shopping, with local teams hosting pop-up clinics across shopping centres, high streets, football clubs and soft play areas over the next week.

There’s been 15.4 million flu vaccines delivered since this season’s rollout kicked off, with 2.4 million appointments running across the next week.

Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England, said:
“Flu has hit us early this year and we’ve just faced the first cold snap of the season which can be dangerous for those over the age of 65 or with pre-existing health conditions.

“NHS staff across the country are working flat out to protect as many people as possible from flu ahead of winter – hosting pop-up clinics closer to home and on the high street – so it is vital the public come forward for one of the 2.4 million appointments running next week, as getting your jab remains the best way to shield yourself from getting seriously ill.

“Catch a bargain not a bug this winter – and find your nearest pop-up clinic via your NHS regional webpage for when you’re out and about, or as usual you can check your local pharmacy for their drop-in service, book an appointment online or by calling 119, or speak to your GP practice today about your winter flu vaccine”.

Those eligible include people aged 65 and over, those in clinical risk groups and close contacts of those who are immunosuppressed, pregnant women and children, care home residents and carers, frontline social care workers, and health and social care staff.

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, said: “With the festive season fast approaching and flu cases higher than last year, now is the time to get vaccinated.

“We’re making it easier than ever – NHS teams will be in shopping centres and on high streets across the country over the coming days, so you can get your jab while doing your Christmas shopping.

“This is just one of the steps we’ve taken to prepare the health system for the colder months – including stress testing winter plans, making sure community teams have the vaccines they need, and identifying patients most vulnerable in winter.

“Getting vaccinated now protects you, your loved ones, and helps our NHS through the challenging winter months ahead.”

Early seasonal data shows vaccination remains the best defence against flu for children and adults, who are receiving strong protection from this year’s flu vaccine despite the emergence of a new flu sub-strain driving an unusually early flu season.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) first Cold-Health Alert of the season also reminded the public that cold weather can have a serious impact on health, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, particularly for individuals over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions.

COVID-19 vaccinations are also available to adults aged 75 and over, older adult care home residents and people who are immunosuppressed, with 4.3 million delivered so far this season.

Adults aged 75 and over and those that are immunosuppressed can book their COVID-19 vaccine directly with their local pharmacy, GP practice, via the NHS app, online or via 119.

The NHS also recommends the RSV vaccine to pregnant women and older adults, as well as the pneumococcal vaccine to over 65s, to help protect against serious illnesses that are more common in the winter, like pneumonia.

Read More:

NHS teams across the country are ramping up their winter flu vaccine offer in the lead up to Christmas – hitting the high street and local shopping centres in

24/11/2025

Frank Foster House Recognised Under The Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF)

Frank Foster House Care Home, part of Runwood Homes Group has officially achieved the Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF).

The VFF accreditation reflects the home’s strong commitment to supporting ex-service men and women, ensuring that all veterans living at Frank Foster House receive respectful, personalised and fully informed care tailored to their experiences and needs.

Through this achievement, Frank Foster House has demonstrated:

- Proactive identification and support of veterans within the home
- Staff training focused on the needs and experiences of ex-service personnel
- Promotion of dignity, respect and personalised support
- Ongoing improvement guided by the Veteran Friendly Framework
- Stronger connections with local veteran charities, organisations and community groups

Nicolas, Home Manager at Frank Foster House, shared his pride in the team’s accomplishment, saying:
“This is a fantastic achievement for everyone at Frank Foster House. Our staff have worked with dedication and compassion to ensure we provide the highest level of support for veterans in our care. We are honoured to be the first Runwood home to achieve the VFF and will continue standing with our veterans — yesterday, today and always.”

Read More:

Frank Foster House Care Home, part of Runwood Homes Group has officially achieved the Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF).

24/11/2025

Swindon Home Marks 20-Year Anniversary Along With Staff Combined Service Of More Than 160 Years

There was plenty to celebrate at a Swindon home following its 20th anniversary as well as a combined service of more than 160 years between 10 staff members.

MHA Fitzwarren House marked its 20th anniversary with a celebration party, where residents, staff members and their loved ones were present.

The home was decorated with bunting and two flags, one inside and one outside, and there were plenty of refreshments including bucks fizz and cupcakes.

MHA Fitzwarren House was opened by Michael Eavis, founder of Glastonbury Festival.

Not only is the care home rated Outstanding by the CQC, but it houses a collection of prints donated by Quentin Blake.

The gifts were made at the suggestion of Blake's friend and biographer Lady Ghislaine Kenyon who is a friend of one of our residents.

The Mayor of Highworth, Councillor Julie Murphy attended the celebrations and presented 10 staff members with their long service awards.

Colleagues were presented with their 10,15- and 20-years’ service awards, which combined to a total of 165 years.

Here is a list of the staff members who received their awards

- Anne Chivers - Care Assistant - 20 years

- Linda Cox - Care Assistant - 20 years

- Sharon Lanfear - Domestic Assistant - 20 years

- Michele Younger - Care Manager - 20 years

- Linda Thomas - Senior Nurse -15 years

- Sunny Rodrigues - Chef - 10 years

- Sue Smith, Home Manager - 10 years

- Keith Harmer - Maintenance Worker / Gardener - 10 years

- Priya Byju - Senior Nurse - 20 years

- James Younger - Chef - 10 years
- Claire Holloway - Senior Care Assistant - 10 years

Speaking after the celebrations, home manager Sue Smith said:
“What a wonderful day we all had. It was a pleasure to have Julie the Mayor of Highworth with us to present the Long Service Awards.

“For me the success of the past 20 years is down to the caring and dedicated team, with five staff members being here from the start and many have stayed over 10 years.

“What makes Fitzwarren House so special is its sense of fun which supports residents to enjoy every day.

“The team at Fitzwarren House is its strength. I am so fortunate to have such a strong team.

“They are all experienced, loyal and caring and I am extremely proud of them.”

Read More:

There was plenty to celebrate at a Swindon home following its 20th anniversary as well as a combined service of more than 160 years between 10 staff members.

The Carer

25/11/2025

25/11/2025

25/11/2025

25/11/2025

25/11/2025

25/11/2025

25/11/2025

24/11/2025

24/11/2025

24/11/2025

24/11/2025

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category