PAGE 14 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 262
NHS Providers and NHS Confederation Confirm Merger NHS Providers and the NHS Confederation have today confirmed plans to merge, paving the way for a new organisation to represent frontline NHS organisations across the healthcare system from April 2026. The two organisations have conducted significant engagement with members – spanning NHS trusts, integrated care boards, primary care providers, and voluntary sector providers – with the clear view that a single membership body for the NHS should be established. Eighty-five per cent of almost 400 chairs, chief executives and other members in executive-level positions surveyed expressed this view; only five per cent disagreed. The Boards of Trustees of NHS Providers and the NHS Confederation have agreed the decision to merge, subject to there being no material issues emerging from the due diligence. This confirms plans for a single membership body to represent NHS organisations across England, Wales and Northern Ireland more effectively. Its purpose will be to improve the NHS and the health of the people of the UK as the independent membership body providing an influential voice for NHS leaders and supporting its members to drive improvement. A new membership offer will be launched in March 2026 and will start from 1 April.
In the meantime, a transition committee drawing from trustees across both current boards will be set up before a final board is established. A new leadership and staffing structure will be in place by the end of March 2026, including an external recruitment process for the new chief executive. These steps will ensure the new organisation is fully equipped to represent its members in its new form from April 2026. A review of brand identity to reflect the new organisation is also underway. Lord Victor Adebowale, chair of NHS Confederation and Professor Sir Terence Stephenson, chair of NHS Providers, said: “Our members have told us loud and clear they want one clear voice for the NHS to represent and support them to improve care on behalf of their local communities. Coming together into a single membership body will enable us to do that more effectively. “This is a very challenging time for the NHS and our members. We believe this step will enable us to better represent and support the entire NHS – to foster collaboration and support learning between all parts of the system to deliver higher quality care and better value for patients, the public and taxpayers. “We will now work at pace to deliver the renewed organisation that our members have asked for.”
Gin-Spirational! Luxury Care Group Develops Resident-Made Gin in UK Care Sector First A leading all-inclusive care group has unveiled a first-of-its-kind personalised gin, called Golden Hour, a bespoke gin crafted with and for its residents. Residents of Berkley Care Group played the leading role in designing the gin, from selecting flavour profiles to shaping its name and story. Supported by the group, their choices guided the process, resulting in the first time a UK care home group has launched its own bespoke spirit, bringing together tradition, taste, and a strong sense of community. The gin takes its name from the “Golden Hour” at Fernhill House, one of Berkley’s twelve homes, where residents gather every Thursday evening to share a drink together. That weekly ritual of connection and laughter is now being extended across all Berkley homes, united by their very own gin. image003.jpg The final creation, Golden Hour, is a London Dry gin described as “floral, aromatic, and characterful,” perfectly suited to a classic gin and tonic. For residents, the project represents far more than a drink, it is a
celebration of shared tastes, ownership, and togetherness. With Golden Hour now being launched across all twelve Berkley Care Group homes, residents and families can enjoy a gin inspired by the people, traditions, and shared moments that make life at Berkley unique. Speaking about the partnership, Laura Perry, CEO of Berkley Care Group, added: “At Berkley Care Group, we’re always looking for ways to enrich daily life, and this project has sparked creativity, conversation, and connection. Golden Hour is more than just a drink; it’s a celebration of our residents’ tastes, stories, and the moments we share together.” Highlighting the importance of the initiative, Kat Clayton, Sales and Marketing Director at Berkley Care Group, said: “ Golden Hour has taken residents’ love of a classic drink to a new level. It embodies the spirit of our homes and captures the warmth and character of the people who live in them. We are immensely proud to have brought this initiative to life.”
Can You Afford Not to Have a Mobii? How technology-driven engagement is boosting morale, staff retention, and wellbeing in UK care homes. In today’s social care environment, the pressures on providers have never been greater. Rising costs, recruitment uncertainty, and increasing expectations from families and the CQC are leaving many care homes stretched thin. Yet, amid these challenges, one innovation is quietly reshaping daily life for both staff and residents - the Mobii Interactive Projection System from OM Interactive. Drawing on OM Interactive’s 2025 Nationwide Survey of care professionals, The Mobii in Care: Executive Insights 2025 reveals powerful evidence that interactive technology can do more than engage - it can rebuild morale, reduce workload, and help care teams deliver the quality of care they aspire to.
LIFTING MORALE AND STAFF RETENTION ACROSS CARE TEAMS Care work is among the most rewarding professions, but it is also one of the most emotionally demanding. Many care teams report that introducing the Mobii has brought back a sense of joy, pride, and connection to their daily work. “Staff feel able to offer a more meaningful experience for service users,” says Marion Hunt, Advanced OT/Sensory Lead at The Hatherton Centre, MPFT. That feeling matters - because it directly supports staff retention and resilience. When staff see residents light up with engagement, they’re reminded why they chose care in the first place. Most managers surveyed said the Mobii has made a positive difference to staff workload, reducing stress and freeing up time to focus on genuine interaction. “It’s very easy to set up and use, which frees up the team’s time to spend more time engaging in a group activity,” shares Celia Milton, Activity Champion at Anchor’s Limegrove Care Home. For carers, it’s not just about having a new tool - it’s about having something that makes their day feel easier, more purposeful, and more connected.
ENHANCING WELLBEING FOR RESIDENTS AND STAFF
The impact on residents is equally remarkable. An overwhelming 90% of care homes said the Mobii has enhanced wellbeing and engagement for both residents and staff. Through light, sound, and movement, it brings interactive experiences directly onto any surface - sparking laughter, movement, and conversation. “The residents who would seem lethargic and unalert would be revived when the therapeutic games are played,” explains Carolyn Weisey, Activities Coordinator at St Annes Care Home. Even residents living with advanced dementia have shown renewed participation. “Increased participation, especially from our residents living with more advanced dementia,” adds Celia Milton. For many homes, this shared experience creates a calmer, happier environment - one where relationships thrive, and residents and carers alike feel more connected.
SUPPORTING CQC EXCELLENCE
In a sector where inspections and accountability are central, the Mobii also provides measurable support for achieving CQC excellence. Homes using the Mobii report improved outcomes within the “Caring” and “Responsive” categories - both areas where person-centred engagement is critical. “It can be used for person-centred activities as there is something to suit all needs - and CQC love that,” says Colette Yuksel, Activities Coordinator at Stocks Hall Nursing Home Burscough. This ability to provide inclusive, evidence-based engagement demonstrates a home’s commitment to meaningful care - something inspectors, families, and staff all value highly.
WHY THIS MATTERS NOW
With the upcoming Immigration Bill expected to limit access to overseas care workers, providers across the UK face mounting pressure to retain and support their teams. Recruitment challenges, rising agency costs, and burnout are creating a perfect storm - one that demands creative, proactive solutions. The Mobii offers exactly that. It simplifies activity planning, empowers staff to deliver more meaningful sessions, and helps build a workplace culture centred on pride, teamwork, and connection. As Katherine Huntley, Activities Lead at Dewdown House, puts it: “Staff love playing with this alongside the residents - it really helps with bonding.” Real-World Results from UK Care Providers The survey findings speak for themselves: • 94% said the Mobii enables more quality time with residents. • 89% saw improved mood and interaction. • 81% reported enhanced wellbeing and engagement. • 90% saw improved memory recall. • 93% would recommend the Mobii to other care providers. These numbers reflect what many care professionals already see every day - a calmer, happier, more connected environment where both residents and carers can thrive.
TECHNOLOGY WITH HEART
As social care continues to evolve, the most successful innovations will be those that combine practicality with compassion. The Mobii proves that technology doesn’t have to replace the human touch - it can enhance it, helping carers do what they do best: connect, comfort, and care. For care providers looking to strengthen staff wellbeing, enrich residents’ lives, and demonstrate excellence to the CQC, the question isn’t whether they can afford to invest in engagement technology. It’s whether they can afford not to. For more information or to book a demo, visit omi.uk/care, call 01442 215555, or email care@omi.uk.