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The power of NHS and care volunteer responders

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Older woman on the phone, smiling

The NHS and Care Volunteer Responders programme, which was originally created to support NHS colleagues and services in England during the pandemic, has recently extended its reach to adult social care. The joint programme aims to ease pressure on care providers and enhance the experience of people drawing on care services.

Honour stories: social care's power of change

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Care and support, Recognition
Clenton receiving his MBE from the Queen in 2014.

I am incredibly humbled and honoured to have been awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for my contributions to personalisation, disability, social care, and health policy. This blog is a reflection of my journey and an exploration of why it is crucial to recognise people involved in social care.

The NHS is 75 and so is the social care system

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Smiling social care nurse

"In difficult and uncertain times, it’s important to be thankful for the constancy of institutions and organisations supporting us through good times and bad", says Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, Deborah Sturdy in a special blog to mark the 75th anniversary of the NHS and the creation of the social care system.

Future proofing care

Older man using an ipad

Three years ago, at the start of the pandemic, we began an ambitious project to send thousands of iPads out to care homes. We wanted to make sure staff and residents could stay in contact with health professionals, friends and family. Fast forward to now, and we have a major programme underway, with a commitment from the Government to invest at least £150 million in the digital transformation of the adult social care sector in England.

Help us shape a career pathway for care workers

People running up building blocks

"Talk to any employer, or person who draws on care and support, and they will tell you that the people who work in social care are undoubtedly the sector’s biggest asset". As a new call for evidence launches, Deborah Sturdy, Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care and Oonagh Smyth, Chief Executive of Skills for Care, set out their united view of an amazing workforce and its future potential...

Oranges are not the only... career?

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Care and support, Carers, Communities, Social care reform, Viewpoint
Happy care worker

After 30 years working in social care, ill health pushed Jim Thomas, former Head of Workforce Capacity at Skills for Care, into early retirement. While he recovers, he's using the time to gather and share people's stories of care - and also ponder how careers in care could become even more attractive propositions...

Nursing associate stories: a journey of personal discovery

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Student Nursing Associate, Mercy Sharp, 52, was born in the Philippines and moved to England in 2007. She has worked at Royal Star & Garter in High Wycombe, since the care home opened in 2019. She is nearing the end of her nursing associate course, which she began in 2020. Royal Star & Garter is a charity providing compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia.