September 2026
Issue No: 3
making every day matter Inspiring stories from NCF’s not-for-profit members
editor’s welcome I’m Tamia Nelson and I’m the Marketing & Communications Assistant at NCF. Welcome to the third issue of Making Every Day Matter, our new members’ magazine. Thank you to our wonderful members for submitting your stories, we’ve truly enjoyed highlighting the incredible moments happening across our membership each and every day! In each issue we will feature your amazing stories and achievements and amplify the work of the fantastic care teams, managers and volunteers delivering the highest quality not-for-profit care and support across the NCF membership. In these pages NCF will shine a light on the wonderful ways that adult social care and support is making every day matter for the people you support and how members are raising awareness for the vital role not-for-profit care plays throughout our communities. I love receiving your wonderful stories and vibrant images and bringing them to life in this new magazine. Please share this far and wide across your care and support teams and please feedback to let us know how you’re enjoying the magazine. Sit back, relax and enjoy the inspiring stories across our membership this month!
Tamia In this month’s issue:
Bolton Cares’ CLOUD - When Creativity, Community and Opportunity Come Together A new chapter for nursing at Somerset Care Avante Care’s Parkview Care Home goes viral
Cloud - When Creativity, Community and Opportunity come together At the Bolton Cares Life Opportunities Community Hub, something special happened when a group of people came together to shared interests, creativity and a willingness to learn from one another. Conversations about hobbies and skills quickly evolved into a thriving creative group made up of the people supported by Bolton Cares Through CLOUD, people discovered new and their staff. As their confidence and skills, built friendships, developed confidence ambition grew, the group developed their own and experienced the pride that comes from identity and brand becoming CLOUD creating something truly their own. The (Community Life Opportunities Unique project also demonstrated the power of coDesign), a creative enterprise built on production, with everyone contributing inclusion, sustainability and self-expression. ideas, inspiration and expertise. Working in partnership with local Community Interest Company Stars and Stitches, the group took their vision even further. Together, they developed their designs and prepared for an exciting milestone: launching their very first fashion show!
The event was a celebration of creativity, individuality and possibility. Models proudly showcased their designs on the catwalk, sharing their achievements with family, friends and the wider community. More than a fashion show, it was a demonstration of what can happen when people are given the opportunity, encouragement and support to pursue their passions.
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Photo credits: Mark Lupton
Read more here or scan the QR code.
Look Ahead Care and Support welcome colleagues from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to a coffee morning Look Ahead Care and Support were delighted to welcome colleagues from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to join customers for a coffee morning at their Heaney Hub Homelessness and Complex Needs Service. Their customers shared their experiences at the service as well as their thoughts about the Government’s plans to “Together, we will end rough sleeping. end rough sleeping. Click the play button to view a video of the coffee morning.
We are starting with a national drive to get everyone in for Christmas, backed by £442m.” Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Read more here or scan the QR code.
Surprise Races Day Boost for Phil Self-confessed petrolhead and Warringtonian, Phil Warburton, met his racing idols on a special day at the circuit arranged by his carers from his home, Belong care village. After cheering from the Oulton Park stands, the former carpenter enjoyed a personal meet-and-greet with superbike riders Glenn Irwin, Blaze Baker, and reigning British Superbike Championship (BSB) champion, Kyle Ryde. The trip was organised by Belong Warrington administrator, Margo Partington, and support worker Hazel Henshaw, who made all the necessary arrangements for Phil to enjoy his special day.
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Read more here or scan the QR code.
Kingswinford Care Home Celebrates Double Success with CQC and GSF Recognition Black Country Housing Group’s residential care and dementia home, New Bradley Hall, is celebrating two significant achievements after receiving a Good overall rating from the Care Quality Commission and securing Gold Standards Framework re-accreditation with an exceptional score of 80 out of 82. The CQC report listed the home Good in all five key safe areas and the Gold Standards Framework assessor said they had “no hesitation” in recommending the home for accreditation. These acheivements reflect the dedication of the entire New Bradley Hall team.
“I would like to thank every member of the New Bradley Hall team for their hard work and commitment. These achievements recognise not only the quality of care provided but also the kindness, respect and compassion shown to residents every single day.”
Read more here or scan the QR code.
Salma Jussab Interim Head of Care, Black Country Housing Group
A new chapter for nursing at Somerset Care Somerset Care have started a Clinical Leadership Community of Practice across their six nursing homes. Last month, clinical managers from the Somerset Care Group nursing homes spent a full day together at Lavender Court for the first meeting. The day was focused on conversation as each manager talked about their own home in their own words, including things that had not gone well, which takes real trust on the first day of a new group. The room worked through the themes that are live for nursing right now and focused on empowering nurses to specialise and grow. Read more here or The Community meets each month and their discussions feed into scan the the Quality committee shaping where nursing at Somerset Care QR code. goes next.
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BrunelCare’s Robinson House Care Home receives a fresh new look as part of refurbishment project for residents living with Dementia BrunelCare’s Robinson House Care Home is being newly decorated as part of an ongoing focus on improving their care homes, to create spaces that really feel like home for residents. The designs for the rooms were developed in partnership with Furncare, a care home furniture specialist, with decorating being completed by Alan who has been Robinson House’s handyman for 30 years. The refurbishment is due to be completed in early 2027 when the team will celebrate with a grand unveiling party for residents, relatives and friends. Read more here or scan the QR code.
Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach Represent New Copford Place in This Year’s Copford and Easthorpe Scarecrow Festival At New Copford Place, the Colchester-based residential care home run by charity Friends of the Elderly, the residents and care team have put on their red and green Mario Brothers caps and created three amazing entries into this year’s Copford and Easthorpe Scarecrow Festival. The grand finale of the Scarecrow Festival took place on Sunday 6th September where over 45 scarecrows were on display. This year we wanted to do something that mirrored our residents, so the famous Nintendo™ duo – The Mario Brothers – who are cheerful and brave and Princess Peach who is kind, compassionate and classy – fit the brief perfectly.” Chelsey Leather Read more here or scan the QR code.
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Activities Coordinator, New Copford Place
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Avante Care’s Parkview Care Home goes Viral Avante Care & Support’s Parkview home has received exceptional engagement in their recent social media content. A series of simple, authentic “used to be…” videos each celebrating a resident’s past profession or passion has resonated powerfully with audiences. Together, the posts have generated: Over 17,000 likes (and rising) 533 comments 405 shares The format is intentionally gentle and human: a resident holds a card showing who they “used to be”, then flips it to reveal their story. This approach reflects Avante’s commitment to creating communities where every resident continues to live a vibrant, fulfilling life. Read more here or scan the Click the play button to view the viral videos. QR code.
Lady C’s Summer Ball raises £10k for Worthing care home TV personality and author Lady Colin Campbell raised nearly £10,000 for a Royal Star and Garter care home when she held her annual charity summer ball earlier this year. The glittering Castle Goring Summer Ball event took place at her iconic home and raised £9,820 for Care for Veterans – a Royal Star & Garter Home. The home provides long-term nursing, rehabilitation, respite and end-of-life care to veterans and their families who live with disabilities, including acquired brain injury and Read more here or scan the degenerative neurological conditions. QR code.
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Sussex Housing & Care celebrate their 80 year anniversary This year Sussex Housing & Care are celebrating their 80th anniversary! As part of their 80th celebrations they have launched their 80 Years, 80 Voices video. This special film brings together residents, staff and board members – each sharing a single word that captures the heart of Sussex Housing and Care. These 80 words create a powerful snapshot of their values, history and community. Click the play button to watch the video.
Read more here or scan the QR code.
Surrey Choices programme helps NEET young people take their next steps A Surrey Choices Supported Internship Programme which supports young people with additional needs who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) is proving that with the right support, mentoring, and opportunities, all young people can thrive. The programme has achieved outstanding outcomes across the board with 100% of participants remaining engaged throughout the programme and 44% of participants securing paid employment. The impact of the programme has proved to be positive with the supported young people reporting improved confidence, Read more here or scan the enhanced wellbeing and greater independence. QR code.
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Thank you for reading this issue of Making Every Day Matter and a massive thank you to everyone who shared their stories with us. We hope that you’ve enjoyed the inspiring stories from our not-for-profit members as much as we have enjoyed bringing them together. If you have a story that you’d like to feature in a future issue, please get in touch with tamia.nelson@nationalcareforum.org.uk. Please share this far and wide across your teams and tag us in your social media platforms - @NationalCareForum. And finally, thank you for all you do to make every day matter! Page 9
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