Uplifting cleaning and disinfection for your workplace
Our Disinfectant Mist for hard and soft surfaces, and grease and grime lifting Multipurpose Disinfectant Cleaner are here. Available in a range of beautiful, room-filling fragrances. USE ALL AROUND YOUR SPACE
FLOORS
Fill your workplace with beautiful fragrance from the ground up! Add 1 capful of concentrated Zofl ora for every 400ml of water in a bucket and mop over hard fl oors.
SINKS/SHOWERS
Spray and wipe down sinks, taps and shower heads regularly. To eliminate odours, pour a capful of Zofl ora Concentrated Multipurpose Disinfectant down the plug hole after use.
RECEPTION / SURFACES
Use our Multipurpose Disinfectant Cleaner all around to leave spaces hygienically clean and beautifully fragrant.*
TOILETS
Eliminate germs and keep your toilet fragrant. Leave your toilet brush to soak in Zofl ora Concentrated Multipurpose Disinfectant to keep it clean and fragrant.
DOORS, HANDLES & BUTTONS
Frequently touched areas can often harbour germs. Deliver a beautiful welcoming fragrance, with our Disinfectant Mist. Regularly spray surfaces to kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria, including the COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2).
CHAIRS / CURTAINS
Freshen up your soft furnishings with our Disinfectant Mist. Not only will your surface be hygienically clean, but your area will be filled with beautiful fragrance too.* It’s also touch dry in 45 seconds!
Gwen Lee creditcontrol@cimltd.co.uk Tel: 01795 509 103
Design and Production
James Taylor james@cimltd.co.uk
Grant Waters grant@cimltd.co.uk
Marketing Manager
Lucas Payne lucas@cimltd.co.uk
Social Media Manager
Lily Lawson socials@cimltd.co.uk
Sales Director
Tom Woollin tom@cimltd.co.uk
Chief Executive
John Denning
Editor’s Letter
June 2025
Welcome to the June edition of Care Home Magazine, where innovation meets compassion in the everevolving world of residential care.
This month, we’re placing a spotlight on Interactive Entertainment—a powerful tool reshaping engagement and wellbeing in care settings. From immersive VR experiences that transport residents to cherished memories, to interactive games that promote cognitive stimulation and social interaction, the potential for these technologies to uplift and connect is extraordinary.
Yet, while the promise is bright, the path is not without its hurdles. In our special feature, “Barriers to Fun: Challenges and Solutions in Implementing Interactive Entertainment,” we take a clear-eyed look at the obstacles care homes face—from cost and training, to infrastructure and accessibility— and speak with those on the front lines about how they’re creatively overcoming them.
Alongside our focus on innovation, Cost Management takes centre stage in this issue. As budgets tighten and expectations rise, making every penny count has never been more important. We explore smart strategies and scalable solutions that help providers deliver top-tier care while maintaining financial sustainability.
Finally, we are thrilled to share an exclusive, in-depth interview with Laurence Geller, Founder of Loveday & Co, who brings unmatched insight into luxury care and what the future holds for personalised wellbeing. His perspective on balancing innovation, empathy, and economics is truly a must-read.
As always, thank you for your continued readership and commitment to improving lives within the care sector. Let’s keep pushing boundaries— creatively, compassionately, and collaboratively.
Jade Evans, Chief Editor
Table of Contents
11 Interactive Entertainment
Looking into interactive entertainment, we explore potential challenges and solutions in implementing interactive entertainment within a care home setting.
20 Activity of the Month
This month, we’re thrilled to share details on a truly transformative activity: Interactive Sensory Projection Systems and how it can fit into your home.
23 Cost Management
We bring together insights from a diverse panel of professionals to explore practical, sustainable strategies for cost control within care homes.
32 Care Home of the Month
This June, we shine a spotlight on Welwyn Grange, an exceptional care home that is redefining standards of residential care in Hertfordshire and beyond.
34 Interview
We proudly share an exclusive interview with Laurence Geller CBE, Founder of Loveday & Co., where he discusses his journey from luxury hospitality to pioneering highend dementia care, his personal motivations, and his vision for the future of the care industry.
38 Food and Nutrition
We share a dietitian’s perspective of tackling the issue of malnutrition in care homes.
12 24 26 34
Industry update
Hartford Care team completes gruelling 16 mile walk in aid of the Matt Hampson Foundation
Some of Hartford Care’s most intrepid team members took on a gruelling 16 mile walk from its Belford House care home in Four Marks, Alton to Tegfield House in Winchester, in aid of Hartford Care’s chosen charity of the year; Matt Hampson Foundation.
The Matt Hampson Foundation is dedicated to supporting people who have suffered life-changing injuries through sport, through expert physiotherapy, specialist personal training, support, mentoring and advice, inspiring them to get busy living again.
Team members Sarah, Hannah, Emma, Jenny, Katie, Keeley and Maddy from Tegfield House and Woodlands House in Woodlands, Southampton, put on their walking shoes and trekked the 16 miles
between the two Hampshire homes.
Sarah Robertson, Home Manager at Tegfield House, comments: “I am so proud of the team for keeping each other going and completing the walk. It certainly had its challenges – originally planned for around 12 miles, it actually ended up being 16 miles! While some of us struggled with pain or blisters, our laughter and moral support kept us
Hamberley Serves Up Fine Dining to Transform Care Home Cuisine
One luxury care provider is on a mission to radically change the perception of care home food by showcasing the fine dining options available to residents every day.
Hamberley Care Homes showcased the delicious and nutritious options their chefs serve at an event at Southampton’s Templeton Place Care Home.
Guests were served a menu of options like those offered to the residents each day, comprising three courses prepared and served in the style of gourmet cuisine normally found in a high-end restaurant.
Templeton’s Clifford McCrea, the home’s multi-award-winning Head Chef, said that he, Sous Chef Samuel Lavell and chef colleagues across the Hamberley group were determined to challenge the
outdated reputation of care home food.
Clifford said: “Food is an incredibly important part of all our lives – for many residents here, it’s the highlight of their day.
“We take pride in offering options that are delicious and nutritious prepared with seasonal produce that’s fresh and high-quality.”
Hamberley Care Homes recently appointed a new Head of Hospitality, George Paul O’Malley, to continue enhancing the dining experience mission throughout the group.
George said: “Our dining experience helps promote physical health and mental wellbeing.
“By using fresh ingredients that are in season and locally sourced where possible, we’re offering food that is both healthy and enjoyable.
“Mealtimes in our homes are the
going throughout and helped us achieve this fabulous feat for this year’s chosen charity.”
If you would like to donate to the team’s charity walk for the Matt Hampson Foundation, please scan here:
perfect opportunity for residents to socialise, so the dining experience boosts the spirit and nourishes the body.
“Each Hamberley Care Home has a private dining suite where residents can invite their family and friends to share a meal, which enables them to create beautiful memories together.”
As well as offering a varied menu three times a day, the chefs also work to ensure dietary requirements are met, including those in line with cultural and religious traditions.
GET IN TOUCH
We’d love to hear from you on how your business is progressing in 2025. Specifically, any new ideas you’ve implemented, any ways you are making additional revenue, your sustainability initiatives and your plans for the rest of the year – we know that a lot of you are doing inspiring things every day in your businesses and we want to give you the opportunity to shout about it.
Please reach out to jamesd@cimltd.co.uk for the opportunity to be featured in Care Home Magazine. www.carehomemagazine.co.uk
Digital or Die
Smarter operations are no longer optional for care providers By Abbey Milne, Social Care Lead at Sona.
In April 2022, the Health and Care Worker visa gave care providers a vital lever to manage critical workforce gaps. Today, with that route potentially closing under the current Labour government, providers are once again staring down the barrel of staffing instability.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Social care already has more than 150,000 vacancies and the cost of keeping teams in post is soaring. In 2025 alone, providers are preparing for up to a 10% increase in labour costs, driven largely by the rising National Living Wage and higher National Insurance contributions. If overseas recruitment is restricted, it further limits access to an already strained talent pool.
International hiring has become indispensable for many organisations, particularly in filling roles domestic candidates often avoid due to pay, hours or perception. Without that option, providers may have no choice but to increase reliance on agency staff, a far more expensive and disruptive alternative. Some shifts cost up to 30% more via agencies, eroding continuity of care and team cohesion.
To understand the true scale of the challenge and the emerging strategies to navigate it, our latest industry report offers crucial insights. A provider with £100 million in income is now facing more than £5.5 million in new staffing costs, including a £7 million increase in wages and £5 million more in NI outgoings.
Layer on top the implications of the Employment Rights Bill, predictability pay, tougher rules on scheduling and zero-hours
contracts and the landscape becomes even more complex.
The result? Higher costs, lower flexibility and more administrative strain.
Legacy cost-cutting options, slashing perks, lobbying councils, shrinking care teams, simply don’t work anymore. With compliance expectations growing and quality standards still nonnegotiable, there’s little room left to compromise.
Forward-looking providers are already adapting. Instead of reacting, they’re rethinking. Digital transformation is no longer a niceto-have, it’s a necessity.
The most progressive organisations are using smart systems to make their staffing models smarter.
leadership, training and care quality.
In-house shift marketplaces are reducing agency reliance dramatically. Some organisations have cut agency spend by 38% within just a month of rolling out internal scheduling platforms.
Geo-fenced time tracking and integrated payroll tools are helping reduce overpayments and cut redundant admin, translating into savings of up to £4.2 million per year.
Real-time data and intelligent scheduling are making it easier to align staffing levels with commissioned care hours, saving up to 5% of total labour spend, or around £3 million annually.
With end-to-end systems that connect Scheduling, HR and Payroll, providers are also seeing major time savings. Automating back-office functions is freeing up hundreds of hours a year, time managers can reinvest in
This isn’t hypothetical. Advinia, a residential care provider with over 4,000 employees transformed their internal scheduling and reduced their weekly agency bill from £40,000 to £16,000. That’s a sixfigure annual saving, money that can be redirected to frontline care.
A recent report from Hft and Care England showed that one in three providers is now considering exiting the market due to escalating costs. But for those ready to evolve, there is another path, one that’s more resilient, more sustainable and more empowering for teams.
This is a decisive moment. Providers embracing digital operations now won’t just stay afloat, they’ll lead. Those waiting on policy to shift are gambling with their future.
At Sona, we believe the sector deserves more than survival. The organisations investing in smarter systems today are the ones who will redefine what sustainable, highquality care looks like tomorrow.
getsona.com
ENHANCING CARE HOMES WITH PREMIUM SCENTING SOLUTIONS
Interactive Entertainment
Creating Moments
Virtual Reality Sparks Joy and Connection for Residents Living with Dementia at Brampton Manor.
At Brampton Manor, part of the Boutique Care Homes family, creating moments of genuine connection and joy is at the heart of every day. In their ongoing commitment to personalised, life-enriching experiences, residents recently enjoyed an extraordinary encounter with the past and present through pioneering Virtual Reality technology.
Developed by Reverie, this immersive VR experience is designed not only to entertain but to meaningfully stimulate brain function — helping to improve cognitive ability, encourage communication, and enhance social engagement. By transporting residents back to cherished memories and familiar surroundings, the experience gently supports recall, attention, and overall wellbeing.
As residents explored a variety of virtual landscapes, from bustling
jazz event to the tranquillity of seaside holidays, it became clear just how transformative this technology can be. “Watching the smiles, hearing the laughter — it really brought home the power of innovation when it’s used to create human connection,” shared Danny Harris, Admissions Manager at Brampton Manor. “Seeing residents so engaged and animated was incredibly moving. At Brampton Manor, we always seek ways to offer care so good, it’s unexpected, and this experience was a perfect example of that.”
One moment, in particular, captured the hearts of everyone in the home. During a virtual tour of Colchester Zoo, a resident living with dementia found herself completely immersed in the experience. Her face glowed with delight as she interacted with the animals, visibly lighting up when the Zoo Director personally addressed her during the tour. It was a deeply
moving reminder of the profound impact that such experiences can have, even for those living with memory loss.
Reflecting on the experience, Valda Rayner, Head of Lifestyle and Activities, remarked: “The beauty of this technology is that it’s not just about entertainment — it’s about evoking emotion, sparking memories, and creating moments of happiness. Our resident’s joy at Colchester Zoo was a powerful reminder of how we can enrich lives every day in unexpected ways.”
This experience is a perfect example of Boutique Care Homes’ ethos in action — creating “a warm and loving family where everyone feels at home,” and blending heartfelt care with thoughtful innovation to ensure every day is filled with meaning and connection.
To discover more about Brampton Manor or Boutique Care Homes, please visit www.boutiquecarehomes.co.uk.
Insurance you can trust, made
Phoenix Specialist Risk Solutions
We understand that the nature of the care industry can be unpredictable. We want to make sure you’re covered when it matters most. Our industry experience means we know what types of risks you face, so speak to us today to discover how we can keep your business protected. At Phoenix we work with you to tailor a sustainable solution to your insurance to deliver improved risk management and savings.
Barriers to Fun
As interactive entertainment is growing in popularity amongst care homes across the country, we share commentary from experts who address the challenges and solutions in implementing it.
In care homes across the UK, interactive entertainment is increasingly recognised as vital to residents’ wellbeing, offering cognitive stimulation, social connection and emotional enrichment. However, integrating such activities presents several challenges. These include limited staff time due to demanding care routines, financial constraints, and resistance to technology adoption among staff and residents. Additionally, inadequate infrastructure and concerns about depersonalisation can hinder the effective use of digital tools.
Despite these barriers, innovative solutions are emerging. Some care homes are employing dedicated activity coordinators, leveraging volunteers, and utilising familiar technologies like smart TVs to
enhance engagement. Furthermore, fostering a culture that views interactive entertainment as integral to care, rather than an add-on, is proving beneficial. This article delves into these challenges and explores practical strategies to overcome them, ensuring that fun and meaningful activities become an accessible and sustainable part of life in care homes.
During the time of Simon Wilson, Managing Director at Hashtag Hosts, visiting and working with care homes, he observed a few consistent challenges. One of the biggest issues was social isolation; many residents lacked regular, engaging social interaction. He said, “Traditional activities often didn’t capture their interest or stimulate them cognitively in a meaningful way. Staff were also stretched thin,
which made it difficult to organise consistent, high-quality group activities.”
This is what inspired the development of Hashtag Quiz. “I wanted to create a tool that was easy for staff to use, fun and interactive for residents, and flexible enough to suit different cognitive levels,” added Simon.
Hashtag Quiz was designed with inclusivity in mind. The platform offers quizzes that vary in difficulty, theme, and format; ranging from simple multiple-choice questions to visual and audio prompts. This allows carers to tailor activities based on the cognitive abilities of their residents. “We also minimised the need for fine motor skills by enabling group play via screens, so residents with physical limitations can still fully participate through
discussion and team support,” Simon explained.
Recognising that many care homes face challenges such as limited digital literacy among staff, outdated hardware, and concerns about time or training requirements, Hashtag Quiz addresses these by being intuitive and easy to use with minimal setup. It works on standard tablets or laptops, requires little technical know-how, and includes built-in tutorials and templates so staff can get started quickly without feeling overwhelmed.
In order to support care home staff in adopting and effectively using Hashtag Quiz in their daily routines, Simon and his team provide on boarding sessions, user guides, and ongoing customer support to ensure staff feel confident using Hashtag Quiz. The platform also includes simple and quick access features and customisable content, making it easier to fit into daily activity plans.
We asked Simon how he envisions the role of interactive entertainment evolving in care homes over the next five years, to which he said, “I believe interactive entertainment will become a core component of care home wellbeing strategies. As technology becomes more accessible, we’ll see more personalised, responsive tools that adapt to residents’ moods, interests, and health needs. Engagement won’t just be about passing time— it will play a key role in cognitive stimulation, emotional health, and social connection.”
At Barchester Healthcare, they sometimes find that staff can be tentative around new equipment so the team identify ‘tech champions’ within their homes and help those key people really get to grips with the new equipment and then cascade that information to other team members. Claire Peart, National Lead Dementia Nurse Specialist, Barchester Healthcare, said, “By having people who are really comfortable with the equipment in each home we have an in-built tech support in every home.
“When we’re looking at investing
in new equipment, we will trial it in a handful of homes first so we can see how it lands, make key learnings and then gradually roll it out across our estate.”
In order to ensure physical and cognitive limitations among residents don’t affect the implementation of interactive technologies, Claire revealed that they always start small with any new equipment and work their way up – depending on the needs of their residents, they tailor how they interact with the equipment to the individual. “We look at their progress and we keep track on their individual care plan.”
Overcoming resident hesitancy or unfamiliarity with technology in care homes requires thoughtful, person-centred strategies that prioritise comfort, trust, and gradual exposure. Staff can begin by introducing technology through familiar, low-pressure activities, such as video calls with loved ones or digital photo albums, which demonstrate clear personal benefits. Providing one-on-one guidance and using easy-to-
understand language helps build confidence, while involving family members can reinforce a sense of support.
Creating opportunities for peer learning, where residents who are more comfortable with technology assist others, can also foster community engagement and reduce intimidation. Most importantly, maintaining patience and celebrating small successes encourages a positive and empowering learning environment.
Claire said, “Being proactive is the best way to help overcome resident hesitancy, we find that involving family and friends in the roll out and getting groups of residents and patients together to try things out as a shared experience is helpful and can help to take away any stress residents or patients might be feeling.”
In terms of real life examples of interactive entertainment that has shown measurable benefits in resident engagement or wellbeing, at Barchester Healthcare they like to build their interactive entertainment into an immersive
experience. For example, when using VR headsets and residents are transported to different places, the team will then build on that experience to include more activities such as sampling food and drink from that country, or perhaps trying arts and crafts from that area.
“We find that our interactive rainbow tables are very well suited to the care environment, our residents and patients respond really well to them and they enable lots of group activities. Our VR headsets are also excellent for entertaining residents, taking them out of themselves and transporting them to different times and places.
“We find voice activated equipment is good for our younger residents experiencing early onset dementia because they offer a social element of support,” finished Claire.
Russell Pillar, Founder, Interiors by Amara Hammond said, “Every part of the environment, from layout and colour scheme to the aesthetic and properties of furniture, flooring and furnishings including wall art can be specified to promote a particular usage, such as resident engagement and social interaction.
“We are frequently being asked to create ‘bar’ or lounge areas for this purpose. A strong design theme that links to the local area is a must. For instance, we created a beautiful space for a care home near Manchester airport that the residents love. They feel like they are in a ‘real’ pub, and the artwork and design elements such as beer mats and glasses are all aviationthemed.”
“On a different topic, a key way to encourage engagement is to involve residents appropriately in design decisions. For instance, when bedrooms are being refurbished, a group of residents could be presented with selected designs to give their feedback. They then know that their views are valued and they have a proper say in shaping their environment.”
Head of Commercial Groups at TNT Sports Business Rob Ireland, has his say on live sport and the
role it can play in the care sector.
At TNT Sports, they have a wide selection of premium sport and a year-round calendar of live events to ensure that care home residents are never short of entertainment and can come together to enjoy some of the biggest and best sporting moments. As well as long established football rights such as Premier League, Champions League and Europa League, TNT also have domestic and international rugby and more recently have acquired rights to show all the content that used to be on Eurosport, that’s the likes of the world snooker tour, Tour de France cycling, French open tennis and loads more, plus away from that we have the FA Cup from next season.
The team at TNT Sports said, “We think there is nothing like live sport to bring people together, no matter where you are watching or who you are watching with. Be that with colleagues, friends, or family, out at the local pub or social club or together in your retirement home, you still get that same enjoyment of celebrating a winning goal or try for your team or watching the best in the business battle it out at Grand
Slam tennis or on the snooker table.”
TNT also aim to offer premium live sport to care homes at a price that means it is a realistic option for their business to be able to offer this community led benefit to their residents. Prices start from as little as £250 per month for communal areas or just £4.99 for in room.
Interactive entertainment is becoming an essential component of holistic care in UK care homes, offering significant benefits to residents’ cognitive, emotional, and social wellbeing. While challenges such as limited resources, digital literacy, and infrastructure remain, innovative approaches—like Hashtag Quiz, immersive experiences, and thoughtful design—are paving the way for more inclusive, engaging environments. Success depends on a person-centred approach, staff empowerment, and gradual integration of technology tailored to residents’ needs. As the sector evolves, these solutions highlight a clear path forward: making meaningful engagement not just possible, but central to care home life.
One Vision
How interior design delivers for multiple stakeholders, as told by Russell Pillar, Founder, Interiors by Amara Hammond.
At the recent Care Show London, my team and I had many insightful conversations in the VIP & Speaker lounge, which we jointly sponsored with apetito and were proud to furnish. We were struck by the growing recognition among delegates of the wideranging benefits of investing in care home interiors, and the varying motivations behind their refurbishment projects. Here, I’ll give some examples of how a design-led approach can elevate all spaces within the home and deliver outstanding outcomes for multiple stakeholders.
A safe and environmentcaring
From an operational perspective, the right interiors are fundamental to creating a safe and caring home. In the past, care settings focused on infection control and nursing, but this typically resulted in a clinical and cold environment which was hard to call home. Then we saw a swing towards luxury, hotelstyle interiors that often relying on high-street retailers. Chairs weren’t
supportive enough; furniture couldn’t be kept clean; and items only lasted a few months.
Nowadays, there are many specialist options to choose from that blend comfort and homeliness with practicality. Many operators are surprised by the look and feel they can achieve while still optimising durability, hygiene, cost-effectiveness and, increasingly, sustainability.
One example that is the new Cassari Collection recently launched by Panaz. It features fully
waterproof and flame retardant jacquard upholstery, which combines elegant design with the demanding care environment.
Creating a home from home
Interiors play a key role in making everyone feel included and valued in a care home. From the residents’ perspective, it is crucial that their surroundings reflect their interests, background, identity and locality. This degree of personalisation is all too often overlooked in interiors projects but makes a huge difference to resident engagement and wellbeing.
Design in communal areas can easily be linked to residents’ past lives. On a recent refurbishment project in Falkirk, we created a design theme featuring wall art based on a favourite local past time – football – and in particular one star player from the local club in the 1970s who went on to become one of the greatest managers of all time! We dug out images of the young Sir Alex Ferguson in action on the pitch. Feedback from the home was astounding - the residents love
Russell Pillar
the feature and it even turned out that one of them had been present at the match we’d chosen.
Similarly, we worked on care home extension on the south coast of Kent and came up with a theme that reflected the seaside vibes from the local area. Many residents had a lifelong connection to the coast and loved the look and feel of their new spaces.
First impressions count
Decision-making is increasingly influenced by marketers who know that residents are often not the ones choosing the home – it is their families who visit first and weigh up decisions. First impressions count. How is the ambiance? Is it homely? Is there a mix of living spaces for socialising and quiet relaxation? Are bedrooms personalised? Does the design immediately appeal and provide reassurance about how the home is run, or are the interiors shabby and impersonal?
A newly refurbished lounge or bar area, with a coherent and engaging design theme that encourages interaction and enjoyment, goes a long way to making a great first impression.
Other ways operators are boosting the homeliness factor is by reinstating carpets. Carpets gained an ill-deserved reputation during the Covid pandemic for harbouring germs and many settings got rid of them. Yet for many residents and their families
in the UK, carpets are synonymous with homeliness – plus they help to manage acoustics in noisy settings. By choosing the correct type of carpet, the correct location and commiting to regular upkeep, carpets certainly have their place in a care setting.
Workplace wellbeing
With the care sector facing a major recruitment and retention crisis, caring for carers simply must not be overlooked. In a bid to attract new staff and improve the appeal of the home as a workplace, many operators are recognising that they must go beyond their legal obligations as an employer and seek to fully understand and meet staff expectations. As a starting point, interiors upgrade projects should extend to staff facilities, improving the comfort of areas designed for breaks during the day or for overnight stays.
The bottom linerevenue generation
Forward-thinking operators are rethinking not only how spaces are furnished but how they are actually used. The result can unlock significant revenue generation opportunities. Choosing a more suitable layout and better fitting furniture, in combination with a coherent design scheme, can completely transform a space. An odd-shaped room can be optimised by steering clear of
standard furniture and choosing specialist alternatives in bespoke sizes that make it cosy rather than cramped. Conversely, a wellconsidered layout can break up large rooms so they are welcoming and inclusive rather than noisy and overwhelming.
Some rooms may even be suitable for conversion into private flats, or a communal area that is under-used could be turned into a popular themed space such as a library, tea room or indoor garden room.
In terms of project delivery, many operators have tried to ‘do it themselves’ and had their fingers burnt. Instead, they are opting for turn-key projects where we oversee everything from the initial design concept through to project management and fitout of the space. We hand the space back to them, ornaments and all, ready for use. This is an appealing idea for busy operators who have a vision for their space and need experts to bring it to life!
From all stakeholders’ perspectives, interiors matter. They reflect a care operator’s commitment to protecting residents and staff while creating a comfortable, inclusive and ‘home from home’ environment.
No wonder operators are putting interior design high up on their agendas and ensuring that every penny spent delivers on care, compliance and commercial goals.
A modern, thoughtfully-designed lounge area can encourage social interaction and create a stunning impression for all stakeholders.
Engaging the Senses
For June’s Activity of the Month we look at the introduction to interactive sensory projection systems in care homes, the benefits and impact it could have.
In recent years, the integration of technology into care settings has revolutionised the way care is delivered. One such innovation making waves in care homes is the Interactive Sensory Projection System (ISPS), a ground-breaking development designed to engage, stimulate, and enhance the quality of life for residents. This technology combines sensory stimulation with interactive projections, providing an immersive experience tailored to the needs of individuals in care facilities. As care homes increasingly focus on improving the wellbeing of their residents, the adoption of such systems holds promising potential.
An Interactive Sensory Projection System is a cutting-edge piece of technology that uses projectors and sensors to create dynamic, interactive environments on the walls and floors of a room.
By engaging sight, sound, and sometimes touch, ISPS immerses users in various sensory experiences. These systems can project images, sounds, colours, and even respond to motion or touch, offering an interactive experience that can be customised based on the user’s preferences and cognitive abilities.
In a typical setup, motion sensors detect the movements of individuals, and these movements influence the projected imagery or sounds. For example, someone may reach out to “touch” an object projected on the wall, causing the object to change or respond. The flexibility of these systems allows for the design of different themes— such as a relaxing beach scene, a nature-filled forest, or interactive games—all of which are specifically designed to enhance sensory experiences, cognitive function, and overall wellbeing.
For individuals living with dementia or other cognitive impairments, interactive sensory projection systems can offer significant benefits. These conditions often limit an individual’s ability to engage with their environment in a meaningful way, leading to isolation, frustration, and a decline in mental health. By introducing visually engaging stimuli and interactive features, ISPS can help break through these barriers.
One of the primary advantages of ISPS is its ability to stimulate cognitive processes in a noninvasive and enjoyable manner. For example, individuals with dementia may experience improvements in memory, recognition, and emotional expression as they interact with the system. The systems often feature familiar images, sounds, and colours, which can help trigger memories and emotional responses.
This form of cognitive stimulation is crucial for maintaining or enhancing mental agility in elderly residents, especially those who may struggle with communication.
Beyond cognitive stimulation, the system also offers emotional benefits. The act of interacting with a projection—whether by “touching” a butterfly or engaging with soothing sounds—can be incredibly comforting for residents, helping to reduce feelings of anxiety and agitation. This can lead to a sense of empowerment and control, as residents become active participants in shaping their environment.
In addition to cognitive and emotional benefits, interactive sensory projection systems also promote physical engagement. The motion sensors in the system encourage residents to move, whether it’s stretching their arms to reach for floating bubbles or walking to touch projected images on the floor. This type of activity can be particularly beneficial for residents with limited mobility, as it encourages them to use their muscles and joints in a gentle, nonstrenuous way.
Physical activity in care homes is crucial to maintaining mobility and overall health. However, traditional forms of physical exercise may not always be engaging or appropriate for all residents, especially those with physical impairments or cognitive challenges. By incorporating a fun and interactive element, ISPS creates an enjoyable way for residents to engage in light physical activity that contributes to their overall wellbeing.
Another key benefit of ISPS is its ability to facilitate social interaction and engagement. Care home residents, especially those in group settings, can come together to enjoy the sensory projections, encouraging communication and connection. The systems are often designed to be highly interactive, meaning that individuals can share experiences, laugh, and collaborate in real time.
This social aspect is particularly beneficial for those who are at risk
of becoming isolated, which can be a common issue in care homes. Interactive projection systems provide a unique opportunity for residents to bond over shared experiences and memories, even in environments where communication might otherwise be challenging.
Additionally, caregivers and family members can actively engage with residents during these sessions, fostering a deeper connection and enhancing the sense of community within the care home. This shared experience can reduce feelings of loneliness and help residents feel more included in the group dynamic.
Interactive Sensory Projection Systems can also have therapeutic effects. Research has shown that multisensory stimulation has positive outcomes for individuals with dementia, providing sensory input that can soothe, calm, or energise. The calming effect of natural environments, such as a projected forest or ocean scene, can help reduce agitation and promote relaxation. In contrast, more stimulating environments may encourage activity and engagement for those who need a mental or physical boost.
Care homes can customize the experience to meet the specific needs of each resident. For example, some residents may benefit from soothing and serene projections, while others may prefer more interactive or stimulating environments. These tailored experiences ensure that every resident receives the level of stimulation appropriate for their health, abilities, and preferences.
Interactive Sensory Projection Systems represent a significant leap forward in the care home sector, offering numerous benefits for residents. By providing cognitive stimulation, enhancing emotional wellbeing, promoting physical activity, fostering social interaction, and offering therapeutic advantages, ISPS contributes to a holistic approach to elder care. As care homes continue to embrace technology, these systems offer a promising and engaging solution for improving the quality of life for residents, fostering environments that support mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. The integration of these systems into care homes is not just a trend; it is a step toward creating more engaging, responsive, and enriching care environments for the elderly.
INSPECTION
CiUK is the only Registered Inspection Body in the UK and will undertake your inspection professionally and comprehensively to all applicable standards. This is much more than just a ‘mock inspection.
REPORT
The CiUK report is confidential and will provide a complete analysis of all compliant and non-compliant aspects of the care home. All evidence is available to the customer and supported by source data to improve the care home.
ACTION PLAN
The action plan contains detailed information to correct all non-compliances that can be used as they are or added to the home’s action plan.
SUPPORT
The CiUK team will provide advice, information, and documents to support the care home in continuous improvement and resolving non-compliance after the inspection.
only Registered and Accredited Inspection Body for Care Homes in the UK.
Cost Management
The Honest Broker
How Link Utility Consultants is transforming energy procurement for care homes.
In an industry often plagued by hidden fees and misleading practices, Matthew Oliver stands out as a refreshing exception. As the founder of Link Utility Consultants, Matt has built his business on a foundation of transparency and fairness— values that are transforming how care homes approach energy procurement.
“I founded Link Utility Consultants after seeing how many businesses were being taken advantage of by energy brokers,” explained Matt. “With care homes operating 24/7 and needing consistent heating for resident comfort, energy represents one of the largest operational expenses.”
How Care Homes Get Caught Out
Matt identifies several warning signs care homes should watch for. “Most brokers earn commission based on your usage multiplied by the contract length. This creates a perverse incentive for them to push you into unnecessarily long contracts.”
“What they don’t tell you is that they’re receiving five years of
commission upfront,” Matt revealed. “If market prices fall during that period, you’re stuck paying abovemarket rates while your broker has already pocketed thousands.”
Perhaps most alarming is how Letters of Authority (LOAs) are misused. “Many care homes don’t realise that the LOAs they sign often contain clauses allowing brokers to sign contracts on their behalf,” Matt warned. “We’ve seen numerous cases where brokers have automatically renewed contracts without the businesses consent, simply to generate more commission for themselves.”
A Proactive Approach
Link Utility Consultants takes a fundamentally different approach. “Our LOAs never include terms allowing us to sign contracts on your behalf,” Matt emphasises. “All final decisions remain firmly in your hands.”
“We operate on a forecastled procurement strategy,” Matt explained. “If our market analysis indicates prices are likely to fall, we’ll recommend holding off or securing a shorter contract. We never push long-term contracts simply to maximize our commission.”
The company works with over 50 energy suppliers. We cap broker
commissions to ensure clients get the best possible rates and we can always beat direct to supplier renewal prices.
Link Utility’s free energy review service is particularly valuable to care home operators. “We’ll analyse your current contracts, consumption patterns, and market conditions to identify potential savings—all with no obligation,” Matt offered. “Many care homes discover they could reduce their energy costs by 15-20% without affecting resident comfort.”
Quick tip, did you know businesses pay 20% VAT, Care homes are a residential property and benefit from 5% VAT, zero CCL and should always be on the priority services register. These discounts are not automatically applied. with our Free review, we help care homes recover those costs and have any discounts reimbursed.
With energy costs continuing to squeeze care home budgets, Matt’s transparent approach is proving that honest energy procurement isn’t just ethical—it’s also good business.
For a free energy review, contact Matthew Oliver on 07895 113519 or visit www.linkutility.co.uk. And click on Help Me Save.
Matthew Oliver
Our care home clients typically save 15% on energy costs while maintaining optimal comfort levels.
With care homes seeing energy costs increase by up to 150% since 2021, finding the right energy procurement partner has never been more critical. Unlike traditional energy brokers, we operate with complete transparency—capping broker commissions, eliminating restrictive terms and conditions on Letters of Authority, and guaranteeing to beat any direct supplier renewal quote.
For a different approach to care home energy procurement, contact Matthew Oliver on 07895 113519 or visit www.linkutility.co.uk
Ditching Spreadsheets
Why It’s Time Care Homes Modernised Their Financial Systems.
Following the government’s ‘People at the Heart of Care’ white paper (Dec 2021), many providers have modernised their care systems. Over 70% have integrated digital social care record systems (DSCRs), according to Person Centre Software. But how many have modernised their back-office systems?
The sector faces constant challenges, which is why the back-office needs to be highpriority. As finance teams move from administration to strategy, spreadsheets —prone to errors, version conflicts, and lacking audit trails—can’t keep up. For care home businesses aiming to grow, switching to an intuitive system like, Sage Intacct, streamlines processes, reduces inefficiencies, and provides real-time financial insights for better decision-making.
Sage Intacct: Smart, Scalable Solution
Cloud Agility
A cloud-based system like Sage Intacct removes server maintenance costs, enables remote management, and provides upto-date financial data instantly. Its powerful tagging system allows care homes to track transactions by home, department, or resident for detailed analysis without complex structures.
Multi-Entity Accounting
Manually consolidating finances across multiple homes is susceptible to errors. Sage Intacct automates reconciliations, streamlines reporting, and integrates with payroll, procurement, and HR—reducing data silos and manual entry
mistakes. It cuts monthly close time by 50% and AP processing time by 83%, saving up to 100 hours per month!
One Complete Solution and Interoperability
Clear data visibility is crucial for ROI and adaptability. Sage Intacct users note that improved financial insights have boosted cost efficiency, shifting operating revenue by at least 2%.
Managing multiple funding sources in spreadsheets is timeconsuming and vulnerable to human error. Sage Intacct ensures real-time updates, keeping financial oversight seamless and efficient.
Reporting and Dashboards
Sage Intacct integrates nonfinancial metrics like occupancy rates, staffing costs, and care quality with financial data, enabling informed decision-making and deeper business insights.
It helps homes organise data by location or region, regardless of the organisational structure, enabling customised reporting and dashboards. Managers can easily access financial and operational
insights based on the regions they manage, improving performance tracking and decision-making.
AI Assistance for Smarter Finance
Sage Intacct’s automated accounts payable speeds up transactions, reduces errors, and prevents duplicate payments, improving cash flow.
With GL Outlier Detection and AIpowered data verification, you can identify anomalies, predict financial trends, and enhance reporting accuracy to support your teams with data-driven insights.
How we Support Care Homes
PKF SCS helps care homes transition smoothly from spreadsheets to Sage Intacct, creating a modern, connected financial system. This upgrade empowers financial controllers, boards, and managers to make smarter decisions, drive strategic growth, and enhance care quality rather than struggling with outdated processes.
pkfscs.co.uk
WHY US
We pride ourselves on being the “good Sage guys to deal with”, having a team with decades worth of combined experience and the capability to manage the project in-house.
COMPLEXITY
Say goodbye to complex income streams. Report across multiple entities and locations. Reduce human error with machine learning, automation and AI.
Users say Sage Intacct has made their roles easier, helped them make “smarter and faster decisions” and enabled them to have more impact.
of Intacct customers say their competitive advantage has improve 94%
BUDGETING
Reliable real-time views, customisable reports, and dashboards. Integrate financial and non-financial data. Enhanced strategic planning and decision-making. AI
Automate repetitive accounting tasks. Process invoices and match to purchase orders. Focus on growth objectives and strategic planning.
SECURITY
Eliminate on-premise risks. Frequent backups, automatic updates and 24/7 monitoring. Seamless integration with other systems.
Scan to learn more or contact us at 01332 959 008
Email: sage@pkfscs.co.uk
Cost Control
In today’s care sector, balancing budgets without cutting corners is more challenging than ever. Rising costs, staff shortages, and mounting regulatory pressures mean care home teams are stretched thin — and procurement often falls to the bottom of a very long to-do list… That’s where Greetwell Purchasing Solutions comes in.
Greetwell Purchasing Solutions are experienced procurement specialists supporting the catering and hospitality sector. We help care homes and other establishments secure the best value from trusted suppliers—without compromising on quality or service.
Drawing on years of industry expertise, we offer a tailored service that delivers real savings and cost control. From local producers to national wholesalers, our extensive supplier network means we can often reduce costs while keeping your preferred suppliers in place.
You focus on care —
we’ll
handle the cart.
Tired of wasting time, energy, and money trying to get purchasing right?
With rising costs, stretched teams, and increasing compliance pressures, the last thing you need is to worry about whether you’re overpaying for orange juice or cleaning supplies.
Let us take care of that.
At Greetwell Purchasing, we work with care homes across the UK to simplify purchasing, reduce costs, and relieve admin burdens — all without compromising on quality.
Our expert team offers hands-on support to save you time and put control back in your hands.
and more. You’ll receive a clear report showing how your prices compare to market rates, where savings can be made, and what alternative supply chain options are available.
But it doesn’t stop there.
With Greetwell, you’ll have ongoing procurement support and supplier insights to keep you in control — without adding to your workload.
• Bespoke purchasing reports
• Free access to Provision, our online portal, where you can:
o View real-time spend by category
o Compare purchasing across sites
o Review daily costs based on resident numbers
• Centralised ordering for all your commodity suppliers
• One consolidated monthly invoice
You’ll also get free catering management software to build recipes, create menus, display allergens, and analyse nutrition.
You need reliable suppliers, consistent deliveries, and stable pricing — but who has time to chase quotes and audit every line item?
That’s our job. And we’re good at it.
Just look at what we achieved for a care home group:
• Food: 13% saving
• Cleaning supplies: 14% saving
support we receive from the team at Greetwell Purchasing is second to none, which frees up a great deal of my time to concentrate on other aspects of my role.” – Finance Manager
No catch. No contracts. No cost.
Just a smarter way to manage your spend — while you focus on your residents’ wellbeing.
Saving you time. Saving you money. Without compromising on quality.
Contact us today for your free purchasing review.
Email: support@greetwell.co.uk
Telephone: 01522 244680
audit.
It starts with a free, no-obligation
Send us your latest invoices, and we’ll review your current spend across categories like food and drink, cleaning, medical disposables,
• Medical & clinical waste: 19% saving
“By making savings on consumables, we’ve been able to provide a high standard of care that we pride ourselves on. The ongoing
Linkedin : Greetwell Purchasing Solutions
Steve Gibson
Risk and Reward
We explore two significant incidents that occurred at care homes, highlighting the importance of proper risk management, insurance coverage, and staff training.
On a chilly Wednesday evening in late November 2022, a carer was doing their routine rounds at a care home. One of the residents commented that the temperature was a bit cool and she would like it turned up. The carer being the compassionate person they were went and got an electric radiator and placed it in front of the window to increase the temperature in the room and make the resident comfortable.
A short while later the smoke alarm was triggered - the heater had been on and was placed under curtains, which had caught light. The fire brigade where called and the residents started to be evacuated.
The fire was contained and extinguished with damage limited to just 6 of the thirty-nine rooms across two floors.
Water and smoke damage was present in an additional 6 rooms as well as the the lounge.
Loss adjusters attended the home the following day and appointed contractors to start to clear and clean the home.
Within the next 3 months the home was stripped, cleaned, and refurbished to a point where there was no evidence of the fire, water or smoke damage.
Costs:
Buildings and Contents
£413,000
Business Interruption
£348,000
Unfortunately it was too late for the resident in the room who had passed away, with the coroner’s inquest ruling that the burns and smoke inhalation were the cause of death.
Costs:
Civil Claim
£51,000
HSE Fine*
£225,000 A Life
*HSE fine was not covered by insurance and was a settlement from the care homeowners.
We all know accidents happen and it is often about how you deal with them and what you can learn from them. Prior to the fire, the home had recently had a risk improvement report completed which highlighted the need for the Fire Risk Assessment to be updated and until this was done a higher excess for fire was put in place.
The report also identified a number of gaps within the Disaster Recovery Plan and suggested this was reviewed, shared with staff, and available.
Lessons Learnt:
• The use of portable electric heaters in the home was immediately stopped; this was a condition of the insurance.
• PEEPs were reviewed and updated.
• Additional training was provided to all staff.
• Additional requirements were made to the home by insurers, including a review of Hot Works Permits, storage of Oxygen, PEEPS and similar.
• Disaster Recovery Plan amended and distributed.
The Wonky Wall – Subsidence & Underinsurance
Our client operates a residential home in a beautiful park just outside the major town. Surrounded by large trees which are maintained by the council annually to ensure they are healthy. The home itself is a Victorian building with an extension that was built in the 80s and then again in 2000. Providing care for 43 residents across two storeys, there is a conservatory that leads out to manicured lawns with raised planters and conifer trees neatly trimmed to create a wall of green all year round.
In the summer of 2023 whilst doing some routine maintenance, the team discovered that one of the
windows on the side of the home had a gap around the frame. When they examined further, the outside wall had a small crack running up through the bricks.
Following a call, we got loss adjusters appointed and a structural engineer on-site. The meeting was swift with the loss adjuster and structural engineer agreeing that the immediate need was to monitor the size of the crack, undertake drain surveys and review.
The drain surveys came back quickly and showed a small amount of root ingress within the clay pipes which was causing some waste to leak and saturate the ground. Contractors were appointed to remove the conifers next to the offending areas so the drains could be replaced.
The monitor review showed increases in the size of the crack and the gap and, as a result, the decision was made to remove all of the conifers from the right side of the building and beyond to mitigate any additional damage.
The building was then underpinned and repaired, including the original window with new wooden fences installed to keep the home looking pleasant and safe for residents and their family.
Monitoring continued for the
following 6 months to ensure no more movement was happening. Due to the insurer’s prompt actions and the location of the subsidence the home did not need to move any residents out.
Costs:
Buildings & Contents
£330,000
Business Interruption
£0.00
Excess
£2,500
Average Applied 25%
Insureds Contribution
£82,500
The homeowners had possessed the home for several years and in 2020 to reduce the costs of their insurance reduced the sums insured. This was against the advice of the insurers and the brokers, but despite this, they signed a disclaimer to say they were aware of the implications of underinsurance. The saving on the premium between 2020 and 2023 was £3,600. They had knowingly underinsured the building. The home is now insured for the full rebuild cost, and has a revaluation programme in place every 3 years.
phoenixsrs.co.uk
Care Home of the Month Welwyn Grange
Nestled in the heart of Hertfordshire, Welwyn Grange represents the culmination of 30 years of care experience by the family-run Ardale Group. The purpose-built care home is more than bricks and mortar—it’s a vision brought to life, driven by a mission to create the kind of environment the founders would choose for their own loved ones.
Welwyn Grange is part of a new generation of care homes that prioritise functionality, accessibility, and resident wellbeing. Unlike the charming but often impractical converted “Old Vicarage”-style buildings, Welwyn Grange has been purpose-built to exacting standards. Every aspect of its design reflects thoughtful, forwardthinking care—from wide doorways that accommodate modern wheelchairs to intuitive layouts and embedded dementia-friendly features.
“We’ve designed Welwyn Grange to be naturally enabling and beautiful,” said Robert Myers, part of the Senior Management team behind Welwyn Grange. “As stunning as the home is, it’s the positive care ethos of our staff that
Sponsored By
brings it to life.”
Technology also plays a key role in the home’s operation, with comprehensive Wi-Fi coverage enabling the use of electronic care plans, fall monitoring systems, and family communication tools. Built to exceed standards for sustainability, safety, and infection control, Welwyn Grange sets the benchmark for modern care homes.
What truly sets Welwyn Grange apart is its domestic-scale living model. The home is organised into small, intimate “Households,” each accommodating no more than 16
residents. This fosters familiarity, reduces anxiety, and builds a stronger sense of community.
Each resident is individually assessed by the in-house nursing team prior to admission to ensure that their clinical and emotional needs can be met. Welwyn Grange is equipped to support a wide variety of needs—including younger adults with complex health conditions, physically frail individuals, and those living with dementia.
Welwyn Grange’s commitment to clinical excellence is evident in its supernumerary nursing model. Nurses are not part of the routine staffing ratio but work more like community nurses within the home, focusing on building deep, meaningful relationships with residents.
This model, combined with a dedicated GP partnership, allows for continuity of care and early identification of any health changes. The result? Not only optimal day-to-day support, but also industry-leading end-oflife care that is compassionate, personalised, and as pain-free as possible.
The care philosophy at Welwyn
Grange is perhaps best illustrated through its powerful, heart-warming stories.
One such moment involved a gentleman in his late 90s who had not been able to enjoy a bath in 30 years. Thanks to the home’s accessible spa bathroom, he was able to relax in a bubble bath— overcome with emotion, as were the staff who supported him.
Another standout moment saw a resident with advanced dementia call over Brabham, a family dog turned certified PAT (Pets As Therapy) companion. It was the first time the resident had spoken in months, leaving staff and his wife speechless with joy.
These are just some of the many examples of how Welwyn Grange transforms care into connection.
Welwyn Grange offers an everevolving programme of activities designed around residents’ interests. From seated yoga and tai chi to musical performances and intergenerational events with the local primary school, the emphasis is always on engagement, purpose, and joy.
A recent favourite was the school’s nativity performance of Funky Camel, which lifted spirits for days.
There’s also a strong focus on continuity of lifestyle. Residents are supported to remain connected with their former communities, including returning to local pubs, places of worship, and even
watching Formula One in the inhouse cinema—just as they would have before.
Welwyn Grange has embraced a suite of technologies that enhance both care and transparency. CCTV in all communal areas serves not only as a safeguarding tool, but also a learning resource—allowing staff to review incidents like unwitnessed falls and improve care accordingly.
The home has also adopted Famileo, a unique communication tool that allows family and friends to send photos and messages directly to residents. These are printed as personalised weekly newsletters, offering a tangible and accessible connection for those who may struggle with screens. And crucially, Welwyn Grange honours privacy: residents are not
used in marketing or social media without consent.
The vision for the next 12 months is clear: to become the home of choice for the local population and NHS partners, particularly as hospitals continue to experience discharge delays due to the lack of appropriate long-term care placements.
Central to this goal is the recruitment of high-quality, compassionate staff. “Our team is our greatest asset,” Robert noted. “We plan to grow slowly, never compromising on our recruitment standards.”
They are also vocal advocates for recognising care work as a skilled profession, challenging outdated narratives. “It’s frustrating to hear care staff referred to as unskilled by government officials. Nothing could be further from the truth.”
With the elderly population rising rapidly and many outdated care homes closing, the sector faces a growing shortfall. Welwyn Grange is already stepping up to meet that challenge—offering a comprehensive range of services, including complex nursing and under-65 care, while working closely with NHS partners to provide safe, timely discharge solutions.
In every sense, Welwyn Grange is more than a care home—it’s a community, a haven, and a vision for what the future of care can and should be.
In Conversation With…
Laurence Geller CBE. We had the pleasure of catching up with a leading expert in the fields of hospitality, specialised education and dementia care. In this interview with Laurence, we speak about his idea of creating the “Four Seasons” of dementia care which led to the Birth of Loveday & Co.
In the world of dementia care, few names carry as much weight or passion as Laurence Geller CBE. Renowned for his work in hospitality, education, and philanthropy, Laurence is also the visionary founder of Loveday & Co., a collection of luxury care homes that are redefining what it means to live well with dementia.
The spark for Loveday was lit through personal experience.
“My father died at 90, having experienced several traumas and increasing dementia. My mother
Care homes have often been seen as places of decline. We’re reversing that—our members live longer, fuller, happier lives.
passed six years later, aged 96, with very aggressive dementia,” Laurence recalled. “I didn’t know much about it (dementia) at the time. We tried care homes, but they never stayed more than three days.”
This distressing experience left a lasting impact. “I paid my sister to be their carer. It was painful,” he admitted. Already a philanthropist—having supported and built a children’s hospital in Chicago—Laurence turned his attention to dementia. He chaired the UK Alzheimer’s Society’s
national campaign, raising funds for dementia research. “That’s when I realised the paucity of dementiaspecific care homes.”
What began as an experiment between Laurence and his son in Chelsea soon became a much larger mission. “We wrote out our ethos that night, and it hasn’t changed since,” he said. That ethos focused on eliminating unnecessary psychotropic drugs, delivering Michelin-star-quality food, and ensuring every member engaged in daily physical and mental activity— with social interaction at the core.
Laurence’s roots in the hospitality industry deeply inform Loveday’s approach. “I started as a chef and later owned several Four Seasons hotels. I’ve brought everything I learned in hotels—yield management, labour systems, guest experience—into care,” he explained.
One key innovation was around food. “We found people entering care were often undernourished. So, we worked with the University of West London’s Geller College of Hospitality and developed over 200 recipes, leaning into a Mediterranean-style diet. Our goal? Nourishment as a form of medicine.”
He added, “When residents are stronger and healthier, they need less intensive care. That’s not only better for them—it’s more efficient for us.”
What sets Loveday apart, Laurence said, is its sense of home—and more than that, of belonging. “We run it like a club. It’s an extension of their home and their life.”
He shared a story about a member who was hesitant to move in. “He loved rugby. So we arranged for him to watch a match at Twickenham pitch-side. That’s the kind of magic moments we create—it’s personalised, dignified, and joyful.”
This culture of individualised care permeates everything. “Care homes have often been seen as places of decline. We’re reversing that—our members live longer, fuller, happier lives.”
The journey hasn’t been without its trials. “The biggest lesson? There’s no one-size-fits-all. Everyone is different,” Laurence said. “We’ve introduced new systems, failed, tried again. And then COVID hit.”
Laurence’s early response to the pandemic likely saved lives. “I came back from the States panicked. We shut the Chelsea site to all visitors, including myself, in early February— well ahead of the government lockdown in March.”
He implemented strict staff protocols: no second jobs, full pay during isolation, black cab transport in PPE. “It cost me a fortune—but we had no member deaths. That’s what personalised care looks like.”
With new Loveday branches opening in Esher and Belgravia and over £250 million invested, Laurence sees his model becoming a blueprint for others. “Assuming we remain successful, I expect we’ll be imitated. But, while you can copy our food or routines, you can’t replicate our culture. That’s the secret sauce.”
And it’s a sauce Laurence is happy to share. “We open-source our information. I’m proud to be part of the solution, not the problem.”
So how does Loveday stay ahead as a brand? “You can’t assume anything stands still,” Laurence said. “We are constantly analysing what works and what doesn’t. We evolve, we innovate, we research.”
In his eyes, traditional care homes have failed by standing still. “Hotels evolved because they realised no two guests are the same. The care industry must do the same. That’s why we created the Loveday Way—a unique training and care culture focused on dignity, respect, and personalisation.”
For Laurence, this isn’t just business- it’s legacy. He advised the UK government, founded the Geller Commission and the Geller Institute of Ageing and Memory at the University of West London, now the highest rated dementia research organisation in the UK and Europe. He is also the country’s largest philanthropic supporter of dementia care research.
“I’m passionate because I’m just one step away from this myself. I might as well try to help myself— and everyone else while I’m at it.”
And with Loveday, that’s exactly what he’s doing—creating a luxury care model that’s as heartfelt as it is innovative, with dignity at its core.
Dishing Up
In another instalment of our much-loved Dishing Up, this month we share a recipe to tantalise the taste buds of your residents. Provided by V for Life (VfL) – here’s how you can make these simple but effective, Greek fritters with tzatziki.
Implementing vegan recipes in care homes can offer several benefits, both for the residents and the overall facility. Vegan meals can be nutritionally balanced and contribute to better health outcomes for a range of ages.
In the pursuit of enhancing the dining experience for residents in care homes, introducing new and exciting flavours can bring a sense of adventure and joy to mealtimes. One such delight is the Greek fritter, a crispy and savoury treat that, when paired with the refreshing tang of tzatziki sauce, offers a taste of the Mediterranean. Here, we share a simple yet delicious
Ingredients:
For the tzatziki:
• 1/4 cucumber
• 1 small clove garlic, crushed
• 1/4 tsp dried dill
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp white wine vinegar
• 200g thick dairy-free yoghurt (Alpro Go On)
• Salt and pepper
For the fritters:
• 1 small carrot
• 1 small courgette
• 2 small onions, halved and finely sliced
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 125g chickpea (gram) flour
• 125ml water
• 1 tsp each of paprika, dried dill, ground cumin
• 10g chopped parsley
• Zest of 1/2 lemon
• 1 level tsp salt
• 100g mushrooms, finely chopped
recipe for Greek Fritters – one that is designed to be easy to prepare, nutritious, and enjoyable for all residents, adding a flavourful twist to their daily meals.
Method:
1. To make the tzatziki, grate the cucumber coarsely and squeeze out as much liquid as you can. Combine the grated cucumber, garlic, dill, olive oil, vinegar and yoghurt. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Keep chilled in the fridge. (If you use ordinary yoghurt, you will need to strain it through a coffee filter for a couple of hours to get that creamy-thick consistency.)
2. Spiralise or grate the carrot and courgette. Sauté the sliced onions, carrots and courgettes for three
minutes in the vegetable oil, then set aside.
3. Mix the gram flour, water, all the spices, dried herbs and parsley and blend until you have a smooth batter. Stir in the lemon zest and salt. Add the vegetables and chopped mushrooms into the batter and stir until evenly combined.
4. Heat some oil in a large nonstick pan. Use 2 tablespoons of the mixture for each fritter. Shallow fry until both sides are golden brown.
5. Place the fritters on kitchen paper and keep them warm in the oven while you continue cooking the rest of the mixture in batches. Serve straight away with the tzatziki. vforlife.org.uk
Paul Jennings Head of Food, Lakeland Dairies
Beyond the Plate
Tackling the issue of malnutrition in care homes: A dietitian’s perspective,
By Corrine Toyn, Dietitic Consultant at icesupp
Nearly 1 in 4 adults admitted to care homes across UK health and care settings are at risk of disease-related malnutrition.1
This remains a significant and often overlooked risk in care homes, affecting the health and quality of life of many elderly residents. As individuals age, they may face a range of physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges that can impact their nutritional intake. These issues are often compounded by systemic factors within care settings, including understaffing, lack of individualised meal planning, and limited training on nutritional needs.
Without proper attention, malnutrition can lead to complications including2,3:
- An increased risk of falls
- Poor clinical outcomes
- Impaired immune response
- Impaired psycho-social function
- Longer hospital stays
- Impaired recovery from illness or surgery
- Reduced muscle strength and frailty
- Impaired wound healing
With the impact of malnutrition affecting not only the health of individuals but their quality of life, there is a strong case for its identification, treatment, and prevention.2 Furthermore,
the economic impact places a substantial financial burden on health and social care. In fact, the cost of healthcare of a malnourished patient is almost four times that of a non-malnourished patient.4
Why are those in care homes at risk of malnutrition?
Those in care homes are particularly at risk as they’re often affected by multiple morbidities.4 A survey undertaken by BAPEN in 2023 found that the highest prevalence of those at risk of malnutrition was amongst individuals with cancer, gastrointestinal conditions, respiratory conditions, cardiovascular conditions and those with trauma and orthopaedic conditions.
In addition, chronic conditions such as dementia can reduce someone’s appetite or affect the ability to eat or drink, increasing the risk of malnutrition.4 There are also age-related changes in daily living and mealtime routines, which can directly impact nutritional intake. This can be further exacerbated by physical challenges that may make eating and drinking more difficult.4 The appetite can also be affected by medication, or by overall mental health.
The nutritional status of all residents should therefore be reviewed. The key factors to consider when assessing someone’s risk of malnutrition include:
- Has a validated nutritional screening tool been completed such as the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST)? The MUST tool takes into account BMI, weight loss and the acute disease risk score e.g. A MUST score of 2 or more indicates a high risk of malnutrition.
- Are their clothes or jewellery loose?
- Does the individual have multimorbidities?
- Do they have physical issues that may affect their eating? e.g. swallowing issues or poor dentition.
- Is their appetite reduced?
- Are they depressed e.g. recently
suffered a bereavement or are they showing a change in their social aptitude?
If you are concerned about any of the above, it’s important to work with the relevant stakeholders, such as dietitians, to initiate a care plan based on someone’s risk of malnutrition.
How may nutritionaltheneeds of those in a care home be different to those of the general population?
As we age, our nutritional requirements change. Research suggests that older adults, and those with an illness, should eat more protein than the general population. This is to negate changes in protein metabolism, as well as support the maintenance of lean body mass and function.5 Deficiencies of micronutrients can also be common, which may be due to dietary intake, as well as biochemical changes. For example, intakes of vitamin C, vitamin D, folate, iron, zinc and fibre are of most concern in older adults.4,6 Many people mistakenly believe
that nutritional deficiencies, unintentional weight loss, and frailty are inevitable parts of aging and illness. In reality, identifying and addressing the root causes early can often prevent or reverse malnutrition.
Here are some ways to ensure good nutrition and hydration in care settings:
Fortify foods
Fortifying foods in care homes is a simple yet effective strategy to enhance the nutritional intake of residents, especially those with poor appetites. By enriching everyday meals with calorie- and nutrient-dense ingredients—such as adding milk powder to porridge, grated cheese to mashed potatoes, or cream to soups—the care team can ensure residents receive essential vitamins, minerals, and energy without increasing portion sizes.
Try smaller portions, more often Smaller size portions provided
more frequently, can help those struggling with reduced appetite, as smaller snacks or meals are less intimidating to look at. They may also be easier to manage physically.
Variety helps keeps meals interesting
Special dietary needs will of course need to be taken into consideration but wherever possible the meals should be varied as much as possible to ensure the food itself is enjoyable and tasty. It can help to get familiar with resident’s food preferences, as well as their swallowing and eating abilities. Special events can also be used to create nostalgic occasions that include familiar and comforting foods.
Check the mealtime environment
While some residents may prefer to eat alone, it is beneficial to encourage most to dine in a comfortable and pleasant dining area where they can enjoy minimal distractions and have the opportunity to socialise and connect with others. Meals should be served in a way that makes food and drink easily accessible, ensuring residents can reach them without difficulty. For those who require help, appropriate assistance should be provided—whether through spoon feeding, cutting up food, loading cutlery, or offering gentle encouragement. To support this, it’s important to have enough trained staff, volunteers, or family members available to ensure everyone receives the help they need during mealtimes.
Try
a supplement if an individual is unable to meet their nutritional requirements through food or drink alone, and is at risk of losing weight
For some people, even with the best efforts to enhance food intake, oral nutritional supplements (ONS) may be necessary alongside meals to help improve overall nutrition. High-quality evidence
supports the use of ONS for older adults in care home settings.7,8 Additionally, care home staff may welcome residents who have been discharged from hospital with an existing ONS prescription. It’s important to check that the patient finds them palatable and that they are compliant. Ensuring the supplements are tasty, have an enjoyable mouth-feel and that patients have access to a variety flavours is vital to prevent taste fatigue, provide choice, and ultimately improve their nutrition and hydration. icesupp is the first ice lolly nutritional supplement - designed to not only nourish and hydrate but also soothe when it’s needed most. Inspired by co-founder Amy’s experience caring for her father during cancer treatment, icesupp was created for those struggling to eat, offering a refreshing, easy-to-enjoy source of 5g protein, 150 calories, 2.5g fibre and essential vitamins and minerals, with excellent feedback from care homes.
Tackling the issue of malnutrition in care homes
Ensuring good nutritional care for older adults is a shared responsibility and not the role of just one individual. It’s essential that all members of the team—including care home staff, family members, catering teams, dietitians, GPs, and speech and language therapists— are actively involved and work collaboratively in the care of residents at risk of or experiencing malnutrition.
By being able to identify signs of malnutrition and put in place measures to prevent consequences, such as screening, dietary management including use of ONS, regular monitoring and escalation management including referrals to a dietitian, malnutrition can be avoided, leading to better health outcomes.
* For references 1-8 please contact jade.evans@cimltd.co.uk
Trusted food procurement partner for the care sector
allmanhall is an owner-managed and award-winning food procurement partner for care homes, care groups and healthcare establishments across the UK. We specialise in supporting in-house catering teams.
9 Food cost savings and risk mitigation
9 Enhanced quality and retained flexibility
9 Admin efficiencies and greater visibility
9 Consolidated billing - fewer invoices
9 Hands-on support and consultancy
9 Allergen, nutrition and compliance training
9 Sustainability assessments and advice
“ From day 1, the care and attention provided by allmanhall has been exceptional. The team truly listen to us, to what our challenges are and are always willing to help in any way they can... ”
