Where Residents Shape Change
Genuine resident advocacy means more than logging complaints. Krzysztof Zatorski, General Manager at Rose Water Place, part of Barchester Healthcare, shares how the home has built systems that enable residents to actively shape decisions about food, activities, and communal spaces.
Most care homes collect resident feedback. Fewer act on it in ways residents can actually see, and fewer still give residents a genuine role in shaping what happens next. Too often, "resident voice" begins and ends with a complaints procedure: a mechanism for flagging what has gone wrong, rather than a route for residents to influence what happens going forward. The distinction matters, because a home that only listens when something breaks down will always be reacting, never building.
Real advocacy looks different. It means residents raising a preference and seeing it become policy, not just an entry in a log. It means feedback loops that run continuously, not just at the point of an annual survey or a formal review. And it means treating residents as people with ongoing opinions about their own home, rather than as a source of data to be managed.
Building that kind of system requires more than good intentions. It needs structure: defined channels for residents to raise ideas, a clear process for turning those ideas into action, and visible proof that the loop closes. Without all three, feedback tends to either go nowhere or get buried in paperwork nobody outside the office ever sees. The homes that get this right tend to share one trait: they treat residents as ongoing collaborators in how the home runs, not as a stakeholder group to be consulted once a year and otherwise left alone.
Ambassadors, not just advisors
One practical model comes from Rose Water Place, where Resident Ambassadors act as direct liaisons between fellow residents and the management team. Rather than waiting for concerns to surface formally, Ambassadors proactively gather views and ideas across the home, closing the gap between what residents think and what staff actually hear.
"Formal feedback and structured documentation are essential; they give us a clear record of how we are doing and keep us accountable, but they are only half the equation," says General Manager Krzysztof Zatorski. "The real heart of our home lives in the informal, everyday moments. Listening to our residents, becoming their friends and simply experiencing life side by side."
That philosophy played out when several residents mentioned, during routine conversations, how much they missed playing and listening to music. The feedback led directly to the purchase of a new piano for the main lounge, a modest change but one that reinforced to residents that their voice carried real weight, not polite acknowledgement.
Structured forums that generate momentum
Ad hoc listening only goes so far without a formal counterpart. At Rose Water Place, a monthly open forum brings together residents and department heads, providing a predictable opportunity for residents to raise issues and for staff to share departmental plans and challenges. The format matters as much as the content: residents know the forum is coming, know who will be in the room, and know their contribution will count.
These sessions illustrate a wider point about advocacy: good systems don't just capture requests; they let ideas develop. A conversation about adding fresh daffodils to the dining tables for spring evolved into a discussion about seasonal flowers year-round, which in turn led to a housekeeping collaboration that filled communal areas with living potted plants, a project one resident asked the life enrichment coordinator to lead. A similar chain of conversation, prompted by residents wanting a shaded garden corner, resulted in a bench and a sunflower border by the home's wildlife pond. In each case, staff treated the original comment as a starting point rather than a request to be logged and closed.
Rituals rooted in memory
Advocacy also extends into routine, particularly around food, which residents consistently link to memory and comfort. This is where a genuinely resident-led approach tends to differ from a standard activities calendar: it responds to what residents specifically miss, rather than to what a provider assumes will generally please them.
At Rose Water Place, many residents recalled missing family breakfasts before work or school in earlier life, prompting a Monthly Family Breakfast on the first Thursday of each month, giving families informal access to Zatorski and his department heads outside of scheduled meetings. Food choices are put to residents just as directly. When the kitchen wanted its Friday fish and chips to match residents' memories of seaside trips, it ran a tasting session with different batter styles and chip cuts and let residents vote. The winning combination is now the home's standard recipe, chosen by the people eating it rather than decided on their behalf.
Keeping standards honest
Systems like these only work if the loop stays open day-to-day, not just during scheduled meetings. A dedicated Food Comments Book captures real-time impressions, and Zatorski and his department heads regularly join residents for lunch, turning shared meals into informal dining audits.
This sits alongside more formal mechanisms. Tell Barchester Surveys, run annually, provide quantitative and written feedback to track trends over time, while monthly Resident of the Day Checks involve dedicated calls to relatives, giving families a reliable channel to raise updates or concerns outside of a visit. At Rose Water Place, an open-door policy and "You Said, We Did" display boards, which track suggestions alongside the changes made in response, serve the same purpose: showing residents and families that feedback consistently leads to visible action, rather than disappearing into a system with no return.
Advocacy as culture, not compliance
The individual mechanisms are not complicated. What makes them effective, at Rose Water Place and elsewhere, is that formal and informal channels reinforce each other, and that requests are followed through to something residents can actually see. A piano or a survey is easy to introduce; a culture in which residents expect to be heard, and are proved right, takes sustained effort across every level of the home.
For care homes looking to move beyond complaint-handling towards genuine advocacy, the lesson is straightforward: give residents a structured way to be heard, and make sure the outcome of that listening is visible, not just recorded.
The B Happie Effect
Advinia has built a company-wide wellbeing framework, B Happie, around six pillars for residents and colleagues, moving beyond one-off activities towards a culture centred on connection, purpose and shared moments that matter.
Wellbeing in care settings is too often reduced to a weekly activities timetable: quizzes, arts and crafts, the occasional singer. Advinia has taken a different approach with B Happie, a framework designed to embed wellbeing into every aspect of how the organisation cares for residents and supports its workforce.
The model is built around six pillars, split evenly between the two groups it serves. For residents, these are: Safe, Connected and Relaxed. For colleagues, they are: Purpose, Recognition and Fulfilment. Together, Advinia says, they are intended to create environments in which both residents and staff can thrive, rather than treating wellbeing as an isolated function separate from day-to-day care.
Recognising the people behind the care
One strand of the initiative, Heroes of Happieness, focuses on recognising colleagues, and occasionally external partners, who go beyond their role to make a tangible difference to a resident's life. This might be a carer who takes time to learn about a resident's lifelong interests, a wellbeing coordinator who organises something memorable, or a local business that contributes something unexpected. The premise is straightforward: staff who feel their contributions are noticed are more likely to keep making them, and recognition schemes of this kind are increasingly common across the sector as providers look to improve retention.
Moments designed around the individual
A second strand, A Day to Remember, centres on personalised experiences built around what a specific resident wants, rather than generic group activities. At Hammerwich Hall, residents were treated to an afternoon tea served by entertainers from Butlers in the Buff, an event designed to bring humour and conversation into the garden setting. At Burrswood, a resident named Patricia was given the opportunity to go horse riding, an experience Advinia describes as reconnecting her with a long-standing personal interest.
These examples illustrate a broader principle: that ambitions and interests do not need to end when someone moves into residential care, and that wellbeing initiatives are most effective when tailored to the individual rather than applied uniformly across a home.
Advinia's Happieness Team said the organisation's suppliers had played a part in making these moments possible, helping "turn wishes into wonderful memories" and highlighting the colleagues, families and communities involved.
Whether through a significant day out or a smaller daily gesture, such as playing a resident's favourite song, Advinia frames B Happie as evidence that wellbeing works best when it is built into everyday culture rather than scheduled as a separate activity.
Care Sector's Got Talent Grand Final Heads to Care Show Birmingham with New Judging Panel
The countdown is on for the Care Sector’s Got Talent Grand Final on 7th October 2026, with a record number of entries and a new judging panel waiting to choose a winner!
The deadline to apply for Care Sector’s Got Talent 2026 may have passed, but for care sector professionals, residents, suppliers and care staff up and down the UK, the annual talent-flooded spectacle is far from over.
Taking place immediately after the doors close on day one of the Care Show Birmingham on 7th October 2026, the spotlight for Care Sector’s Got Talent now shines brightly on the upcoming Grand Final and the eight finalists that have yet to be announced.
The Grand Final event will give these finalists the opportunity to perform in front of hundreds of care professionals attending one of the UK's largest care events – alongside a brand new panel of judges. Social care influencer Bailey Greetham-Clark was one of the first judges to be announced back in August and will be sharing the panel with Hannah Montgomery from Graces Cares, Sarah Hyman from Nexus Media Group, and Jeremy Richardson, the CEO of Avery Healthcare.
The winner will receive a £5,000 cash prize and invitations to perform at upcoming Championing Social Care events and other sector occasions over the next year, with a £1,000 talent development fund awarded to the runner-up.
But even if you didn’t get around to applying this year, there are still ways for you to get involved!
Whether you’re already planning to attend the Care Show at the NEC in Birmingham or not, the Grand Final is open to anyone from inside or outside the sector who would like to attend and support our finalists. Tickets are free, and if you would like to attend, please contact Championing Social Care for details."
Alternatively, if you are unable to attend the final, the full show will be broadcast a couple of days after the final, with an online screening that care homes can use to bring teams and residents together to join in the fun. An activity pack, in partnership with NAPA, will be shared, featuring scoring cards and other fun items, along with full details on how to access the broadcast.
And of course, if you fancy your chances at a spot in next year’s final, keep your eyes peeled on our social media profiles for more updates about CSGT 2027!
In the words of Angela Boxall, Co-Chair of Care Sector's Got Talent, Chair of Care England and CEO of Majesticare: "One of our biggest ambitions this year was to reach even more people across social care and remind them that this competition is for everyone – whether you work in a care home, provide care in people's homes or support services behind the scenes. The response so far has been incredible, but we know there are still thousands more hidden talents out there.”
Care Sector's Got Talent is open to everyone working across social care, including care home teams, home care providers, supported living services, day centres, administrators, chefs, housekeepers, maintenance teams, volunteers and suppliers.
The competition is supported by lead partners Everywhen and Softcat, alongside sector partners Avery Healthcare, Florence, Majesticare, Compass Associates, The Access Group, The Good Care Group, MED e-care and Ashberry Healthcare; all united behind Championing Social Care's mission to celebrate the people transforming lives every day across social care.
GLOUCESTERSHIRE CHEESEROLLING TRADITION COMES TO COUNTY CARE HOME FOR SECOND YEAR
Cotswold care home brings back its bonkers Gloucestershire tradition, with children, residents, families and the public all urged to enter.
Think you’ve got what it takes to chase a runaway Babybel down a three-metre hill? Then dust off those trainers, because Gloucestershire’s most unlikely cheese-rolling championship is back, bigger and better than ever.
Stratton Court, the award-winning retirement village and care home in Cirencester, is bringing back its wonderfully whacky Gloucestershire cheese-rolling event for a second year, and this time anyone can enter.
The great cheese chase will take place on Saturday 12 September 2026, when residents, relatives, staff, local families and members of the public will be invited to throw themselves into the action and race down Stratton Court’s specially constructed three-metre cheese-rolling ramp.
And there’s something for everyone, with a children’s category, adult races and a special category for guests, meaning you don’t have to be a resident of Stratton Court to get involved.
Forget Coopers Hill and the famous nine-pound wheel of Double Gloucester – this is the Cotswolds’ rather more manageable version. Competitors will be chasing Babybel cheeses down the purpose-built slope, complete with artificial grass, rocks, and miniature trees, creating a Gloucestershire-style obstacle course.
It may not be quite the same as hurtling down Coopers Hill – but the aim is identical: get to the bottom first and claim cheese-rolling glory. The event proved a huge hit when Stratton Court staged its inaugural competition, attracting residents, families, staff and local visitors, with last year’s VIP spectators including the Mayor of Cirencester and then High Sheriff of Gloucestershire Julie Kent MBE.
There will also be plenty of traditional Gloucestershire fare to keep competitors and spectators fuelled, including Old Spot sausage baps and cider, while winners in each category will have the chance to take home a wheel of traditional Gloucestershire cheese supplied by Smart’s Traditional Gloucestershire Cheese, whose cheese is also associated with the famous Coopers Hill event.
Peter Lloyd, Director of Stratton Court and Aura Care Living, said: “Last year we discovered that you don’t need a nine-pound wheel of Double Gloucester or a very steep hill to create a proper Gloucestershire spectacle! The response from our residents, families, staff and the local community was fantastic, so we simply had to bring the cheese rolling back.
“This year we want to make it even more inclusive, so anyone can enter – from children to adults and our own residents and guests. It’s completely bonkers, brilliantly British and a great excuse for different generations to come together, have a laugh and enjoy a proper Gloucestershire day out.
“We’re expecting some serious competition, particularly from last year’s winner, who will no doubt be keen to defend his title. The question is whether anyone can stop him, or whether the cheese will once again prove too slippery to catch.”
The event will take place at Stratton Court, Cirencester, on Saturday 12 September 2026, with entry open to residents, families, guests and members of the public. The first race will be at 12:30pm. “So, whether you’re eight or eighty, a seasoned cheese chaser or someone who simply enjoys the prospect of throwing themselves down a ramp in pursuit of a Babybel, Stratton Court wants you on the starting line,” said home manager, Jared Mein.
Residents at Friends of the Elderly’s Award-Winning Luton Residential Care Home, Have An ‘A-Peeling’ Time Celebrating This Year’s Banana Split Day
At Little Bramingham Farm, the award-winning Luton-based residential care home run by charity, Friends of the Elderly, the residents have been ‘peeling the joy’ celebrating this year’s Banana Split Day.
“The residents always thoroughly enjoy taking part in all our cookery and baking activities with our Chef, Jim Wright and, knowing how much they adore ice cream and bananas, we thought that we should do something a bit different and fun, to celebrate this year’s Banana Split Day,” said Emma Lawrance, the Registered Manager at Little Bramingham Farm.
“Emma and I chatted to Jim who was more than happy to make delicious Banana Splits for the residents, and he even agreed to dress as Little Bramingham Farm’s very own Banana Man,” added Karen Charity, the Activities Coordinator at the care home.
Getting the day off to a giggle-filled start
“To get the day off to a fun start, I arranged a great interactive activity – Pin the Banana on the Tree – where the residents had to shut their eyes and stick a banana on to a Banana Tree,”. The game was hilarious, as the bananas ended up all over the place, which had the residents in fits of giggles. You could say they ‘went bananas’.”
“To make the activities extra ‘a-peel-ing’, we put together a list of Banana-orientated questions to ask the residents, which got everyone chatting, talking about the perfect way to enjoy a Banana Split and reminiscing about how they had enjoyed the fruity treat with their families; so, it was a wonderful reminiscing topic as well,” continued Emma.
Everyone's perfect Banana Split
The residents all had their favourite ways of creating a Banana Split. “I like bananas as a snack and enjoy my Banana Splits with three scoops of ice cream – strawberry, vanilla and chocolate, topped with chocolate sauce,” said Celia Field, who made Little Bramingham Farm her home in March 2020. “I don’t add fresh of whipped cream – or even a cherry on top – I love them just like that.”
Rosemary McLeod, who moved to Little Bramingham Farm in November 2025 added: “I adore bananas and absolutely adore Banana Splits, especially the way Chef Jim makes them. When I made them for my children, I went all out. Three scoops of ice cream – strawberry, vanilla and raspberry ripple, topped with fresh cream, strawberry sauce and the classic cherry adorning the scrumptious creations.
I vividly remember tasting my first banana ice cream ensemble when I was six or seven and I immediate fell in love with the delicious dessert.
“I vividly remember tasting my first banana ice cream ensemble when I was six or seven and I immediate fell in love with the delicious dessert. They soon became a Sunday after dinner treat. As a child they made me so happy, and they still do.”
One thing the residents did agree on was that Banana Splits are far more tasty and better to eat that the traditional ice cream Knickerbocker Glories. “With Banana Splits you have the fruity element, plus all the other toppings make them a unique flavour sensation, which is far more interesting to savour than a pile of ice cream – which undoubtedly melts before you get to the end of the tall, conical glass they are served in,” added Celia.
Chef Jim becomes Banana Man
Chef Jim didn’t disappoint. He served up gorgeous Banana Splits topped with ice cream, fresh strawberries and raspberries, sprinkles, a chocolate flake and wafers, all whilst dressed as a bright yellow banana – and also handed out Banana Hats for the residents to wear. “When the residents saw Jim, they couldn’t stop laughing,” said Karen.
The conversations soon moved on to other banana themes. “I remember watching the old TV series ‘The Banana Splits’ with my children,” continued Rosemary. “It was a whacky show which ran from 1968 to 1970 about a fictional rock band and its four members – three who sang, Fleegle, a beagle who also played the guitar, Bingo, an orangutan, or gorilla who played the drums and Drooper, a lion who played bass guitar, plus the loveable Snorky who was a sweet elephant who played the keyboards and made hilarious electronic sound effects. We all had our favourite characters, but mine was Fleegle, he was just too cute for words.”
Banana trivia that amazed the group
“The residents had a great time celebrating Banana Split Day, enjoying the delightful sweet and fruity treats and reminiscing about all things ‘Banana’, but as ever, they never cease to amaze me with their extensive trivia knowledge,” added Karen. “Rosemary told us all that, by all accounts, Banana Splits were invented back in 1904 by a 23-year-old apprentice pharmacist called David Strickler who lived in Pennsylvania in America and that they are now the official dessert of the state.
“Another resident told the group that if you tape a banana peel over a splinter, the enzymes help the splinter work its way out of your skin and also heal the wound and that rubbing a banana peel on your forehead can help cure a headache. I’ve not tried either of those, but I certainly will the next time I’m unlucky enough to get a splinter or a headache.”
“Everyone agreed that Banana Split Day was so much fun that it must be a regular celebratory day on our activities calendar each year. The residents are such a great ‘bunch’, I promised to add it immediately,” concluded Emma.
A Day at Longleat Safari Park Brings Back Memories and New Moments for Catherine House Family Members
Choosing a care home is rarely just a change of address. It’s an emotional step for both the person moving in and those closest to them.
At Catherine House Care Home however, the focus is on making the move a continuation of life, helping family members remain connected with those they love and the experiences that are important to them.
Keeping families connected beyond the move
One way this happens is by encouraging relatives to remain involved in everyday life, whether that’s visiting the home, joining in with activities or sharing days out together. A recent trip to Longleat Safari Park gave family members the chance to enjoy a day out together, with loved ones joining them along the way.
Among those on the trip was Hilary Crabtree, one of the home’s family members, as residents are fondly referred to. Hilary was joined by her partner, Heather, who later shared her reflections on the outing in her own words.
A day among the animals at Longleat
“A minibus full of people eager to see ‘the animals’ set off from Catherine House this morning, headed for Longleat. A quick stop at the car park, and off to the Safari Park, where giraffes were to be fed. Leaves were bought and held out for beautifully marked creatures in shades between light tan and dark brown. My goodness! A long tongue curled around a branch and, with a hefty pull, the leaves disappeared rapidly. They are strong, large creatures, but to have a head at touching distance was amazing!
Back to the bus and past a large collection of ostrich eggs on the side of the path, all dated in the hope that some might hatch. And now the monkeys, within seconds, one was sitting on the wing mirror, probing for weaknesses, across the windscreen, up onto the roof, bums exposed and little fingers hanging on. Best count, three on board at one time, including babies.
The camels blocked the road, lolloping unsteadily and wobbling their humps. Deer pushed through windows to be fed, nibbling fingers and nudging with velvety-covered antlers. Rhinos stared, unimpressed, then on to the big stuff.
Tigers, hard to see amongst the greenery. Lions casually lying in groups, lifting an occasional paw, but watching, just in case we ignored the notices about ‘not leaving your car!’
Cheetahs lying so flat they were almost impossible to spot and, oops, did anyone other than Paul spot a hyena? Then wolves, shaded under a tree, but behind them three small cubs tumbling together, safe from the attention of the Alpha male.
Comments about all we had seen about the last or previous times people had visited, about bicycles ridden and ponds fallen in. Earlier days recalled, mixed with air con, relief at being able to open windows again and a healthy desire for lunch!
An oasis of calm at picnic time
Picnic time, crowded tables, but we found a spot. A nosy mallard and numerous sparrows were as interested as us in the spread Sharon had provided. Rolls and crisps, cakes and drinks, all devoured with healthy appetites, people to watch, the outside world in its busyness around our little oasis of calm and deliciousness. Plenty of choices, the naughtiness of sticky buns, licked fingers, crumbs for the birds, fresh air, coolness after last week’s heat, just being outside.
Then the last part, Jungle Kingdom! Otters so close through the glass partition, the giant anteater (what a size!), a laid-back aardvark scrunched in a corner, the ‘retirement group’ of meerkats, fewer than before and almost one less as it skittered in front of Hilary’s wheelchair.
The oppressive heat of the crocodile pool, beady eyes watching every move, then Giant Otters, faces to the glass at eye level as they swam past. Finally, the koalas, all four snuggled into individual tree branches, upright, totally relaxed and fast asleep.
Then back to the bus for home. Tired faces, lively minds, reviewing sights and sounds of the day spent outside in good company. Thank you.”
Continuing a life in the community
For Hilary, whose career as a social worker was dedicated to helping people build lives in their communities, and who has shared more than 30 years with her partner Heather, days like this remain an important part of life. Moving into Catherine House has not changed that.
Trips like this are part of that continuation, familiar places, new memories, and the kind of conversations that stay with people long after the journey home. This commitment to remembering every resident’s story lies at the heart of truly person-centred care.
Waterhaven Place Celebrates Premier Hospitality Assured Success at First Assessment
A commitment to putting hospitality at the heart of the resident experience has earned Waterhaven Place in Chichester Premier Hospitality Assured status at its very first assessment.
Part of Connaught Care Collection, Waterhaven Place has achieved the prestigious international recognition following an independent assessment of its hospitality services against the Hospitality Assured standard.
The assessment examined the home’s approach across nine areas of service and business excellence, including customer research, service culture, leadership, people development, performance evaluation and continuous improvement.
Building a distinctive approach to care-home hospitality
Since opening in 2025, Waterhaven Place has sought to create a distinctive approach to care-home hospitality, built around Connaught Care’s philosophy to “Live an Extraordinary Life”. Choice, individuality and quality of experience are central to the approach, supported by a strong emphasis on colleague engagement and development.
The assessment also highlighted the importance Waterhaven Place places on its relationship with the wider community. The home regularly welcomes local people through activities and events, helping create connections between residents and the community around them.
A significant achievement at first assessment
Max Lawrence, Hospitality Assured Assessor, said:
Achieving Premier Hospitality Assured status at a first assessment is a significant achievement and reflects the commitment of the whole team at Waterhaven Place.
What stood out throughout the assessment was the genuine ambition to put hospitality at the heart of the resident experience.
What stood out throughout the assessment was the genuine ambition to put hospitality at the heart of the resident experience. There is a strong sense of purpose, supported by an engaged team, an impressive approach and a real desire to be part of the wider community.
Hospitality Assured is not simply about recognising what an organisation does well today; it is about creating a framework for continuous improvement. Waterhaven Place has established strong foundations, and I look forward to seeing how we develop the journey together.
Editor's Day Out: Flavour Forward
I was invited to Bidfood's Innovation in Motion event on 7 July, held at a pub venue in Balham that had been transformed for the day, with a cinema screen and all.
After a chance to mingle with fellow attendees and the Bidfood team, I settled in for a presentation on the company's research into food innovation. One finding stood out: while older adults weren't the age group most eager to try new dishes, a significant proportion still were. It's a reminder that "traditional" menus shouldn't be a default assumption in care homes. There's a clear appetite, so to speak, for chefs to keep expanding residents' palates.
Next came a hands-on challenge: building my own salad from what might be the best salad bar I've encountered. Bowl loaded, I was then told my creation would be scored on nutritional balance, which turned a simple lunch into a genuinely fun bit of friendly competition. As a self-confessed salad enthusiast, I still found myself trying combinations I wouldn't normally reach for, including black beans, crispy chickpeas, and a butterbean-and-sumac dressing.
I should have paced myself, because there was plenty more food to come.
The following session focused on plating and how presentation alone can transform a dish. Two plates made with identical ingredients were set side by side: one traditional, one elevated. Tasted blind, I found it genuinely difficult to believe they came from the same base recipe. This message was reinforced through tastings from the Discovery Kitchen range, including a creamy Malaysian coconut chicken curry, beef and fennel meatballs, spaghetti alfredo, and black bean birria.
Dessert followed, by which point I was regretting how much I'd already eaten. Three puddings were served, each paired with a suggested occasion and drink: coconut and lime sticky rice, banana bread tiramisu, and Basque cheesecake.
It was a genuinely useful day for thinking differently about food, not just what goes on the plate, but how it's presented and paired. The unexpected combinations worked, and worked well, which is exactly the point Bidfood was making. For care home chefs, the takeaway is straightforward: innovation doesn't mean abandoning familiar favourites, but there's real value and evident appetite for keeping menus exciting.
allmanhall achieve Investors in People Platinum accreditation, placing it among the top 7% of organisations worldwide
allmanhall, the owner-managed food procurement and supply chain specialist serving schools, care homes, hospitals, and hospitality clients across the UK, has been awarded Investors in People (IIP) Platinum accreditation. This is the highest level of recognition available through the globally respected framework, a distinction held by just 7% of assessed organisations worldwide.
The prestigious accolade reflects the culture and ways of working that underpin allmanhall’s business, highlighting a commitment to a workplace where people are trusted, supported, and empowered to excel. The company emphasizes that this achievement matters not only to its own team, but also to the clients who depend on its expertise to manage complex food supply chains with integrity and insight.
The recognition traces back to the company’s roots. Founded by Edward and Oliver Hall from a garden shed in Wiltshire, allmanhall have grown into a trusted industry leader. From the founders to the colleagues who support clients today, the Platinum accreditation is framed as a shared achievement across the entire organisation.
Investors in People Platinum recognises organisations where people management is fully aligned with business purpose and performance. For allmanhall, this internal foundation translates directly into enhanced client service. When employees feel trusted, supported, and developed, they are better equipped to make sound decisions, build strong relationships, and respond proactively to challenges, whether that means negotiating with suppliers, advising on menu costs, or identifying potential risks before they affect a client’s operation.
The rigorous IIP assessment confirmed several key operational and cultural strengths across allmanhall:
• Clarity of purpose: Everyone understands how their individual role contributes to client outcomes and wider business goals.
• Empowered teams: Autonomy is balanced with support, and staff are trusted to make well-informed decisions.
• Embedded growth: Personal and professional development is integrated into dayto-day operations.
• Wellbeing matters: Flexibility, openness, and wellbeing are built into daily working life.
Jo Hall, co-owner and Managing Director at allmanhall, commented:
"This is a testament to the contributions of our entire team. It’s the people who work here who make allmanhall an outstanding place to be. Over the last 20 years we have always put people and relationships, investments in longevity, and the sharing of success at the heart of what we do. To have this recognised as we continue to flourish and evolve is truly humbling for the family behind allmanhall and a sign of the strength of our growing team."
While Platinum represents a major milestone, allmanhall view it as part of an ongoing journey rather than an endpoint. The business remains committed to investing in its people, supporting their continuous development, and nurturing the collaborative culture that helps allmanhall deliver value for clients every day.
Lidder Care Introduces New Accessible Minibus to Support Activities and Strengthen Community Connections
Lidder Care has made a further investment in its activities and wellbeing programme with the introduction of a brand-new accessible minibus.
The vehicle will support residents at Newgate Lodge Care Home and Lowmoor Nursing Home, as well as people receiving care and support in their own homes. It will provide greater opportunities to enjoy activities, outings and events across Mansfield, Ashfield and beyond.
The new minibus reflects Lidder Care’s commitment to enriching lives, promoting independence and helping the people it supports remain connected with their local communities.
Manjas Lidder, Managing Director of Lidder Care, said:
“We are delighted to introduce our new accessible minibus, which represents another important investment in the wellbeing of the people we support.
“It will enable more residents and home care clients to enjoy meaningful experiences, visit places that are important to them and remain connected with their communities.”
The vehicle has already made a positive impact, with residents from Newgate Lodge Care Home enjoying its first outing to Titchfield Park in Mansfield.
By investing in dedicated accessible transport, Lidder Care aims to remove some of the barriers that can prevent older people and those with additional needs from accessing the places, people and experiences they enjoy.
Community outings form an important part of Lidder Care’s person-centred approach, helping to promote independence, reduce social isolation and support people to continue living fulfilling and enriched lives.
Lidder Care has supported individuals and families across Mansfield and Ashfield for more than 30 years. The family-run care provider operates Newgate Lodge Care Home in Mansfield, Lowmoor Nursing Home in Kirkby-in-Ashfield and Lidder Care’s home care service, supporting people to remain independent in their own homes