Care Home Open Week aims to celebrate inspirational people living and working in care homes

Care homes all over the UK are being invited to participate in Care Home Open Week which is being run as a virtual event this year in order to keep everyone safe and Covid secure.

Championing Social Care, which is running the initiative, hopes to shine a light on the social care sector, where care homes can showcase positive stories as well as celebrate the inspirational people that live and work in residential settings.

This year’s Care Home Open Week will take place from 28 June – 4 July 2021.

Mitesh Dhanak, founder of Precious Homes and part of the organising committee for the event, said: "The open week event is designed to enrich the lives of care home residents and local communities by reminding people that their local care homes are home to unique, intelligent and charming characters, and run by special people that do care."

Care homes can register their event via Championing Social Care .Those who register will receive an event pack as well as regular tips, updates and ideas. An event map of participating care homes will also be available online.

It is hoped that the initiative will help to connect communities such as schools which are encouraged to partner with their local care home and run a pen pal scheme or virtual singing or poetry sessions.

Andrew Dawber, group director of Civitas Investment Management, which is sponsoring Care Home Open Week, said: “We are delighted to be involved in Care Home Open Week supporting the social care sector in its on-going pursuit to enrich the lives of care home residents and vulnerable people. At Civitas we believe everyone should feel they are a supported and included member of their local community. We are honoured to assist Care Home Open Week in reaching more care homes and vulnerable people connecting them to their community, especially throughout the challenges faced by the global pandemic.”

Derek Breingan, head of Health & Social Care at Virgin Money, which is also a sponsor for the event, added: “‘Never has the role of social care in our communities been highlighted more than the work and dedication of those working in and supporting our loved ones within care homes in the last 12 months across the country. I am really pleased that we at Virgin Money can, in sponsoring this week, help to promote all that is good, positive and inspiring in our vital social care sector.’’

Championing Social Care is a volunteer-led group of leaders from across the social care sector. The initiative’s vision is to ensure a wider and deeper public understanding, appreciation and respect for social care, with a focus on delivering positive stories and initiatives about the sector. Championing Social Care is also responsible for organising the Care Sector Fundraising Ball, #SparkleForSocialCare and the Care Sector’s Got Talent events.