#CelebratingSocialCare: going the extra mile

Throughout April we’re #CelebratingSocialCare and all the great work happening across the sector. We asked you to send in your good news stories and we’ll be sharing these throughout the month. Today we hear about care staff who are going the extra mile to deliver the best care possible.

Cedric saves a life

Cedrick, a new member of care staff at LDC Care Company, was just two days into his job when he had to spring into action by using CPR to save a life!

The LDC Academy, which Cedrick had just graduated from, provided him with the critical knowledge he needed to be able to act fast when the moment called for it. Not only has this heroic act made a direct difference to someone’s life, but it highlights the great importance of proper training in care.

Well done, Cedric!

Olympics at Rotherham New York Stadium

Over the course of 10 weeks, Rotherham United Community Trust delivered sports and games for customers living on Parkhill Lodge at Lord Hardy Court Care Home in Rotherham.

Every week, supported people would attend the sessions and take part in activities such as skittles, bowling and trivia questions. They were then given the opportunity to attend New York Stadium for the Care Home Olympic Final. Five people expressed that they would like to attend, supported by three members of staff.

On 27 March 2025, the group attended the Care Home Olympics and had a full day of sports activities, lunch and a singalong at the end - which involved which involved dancing and singing.

Two supported people came first in different activities (skittles and boules). They received a gold medal and certificate. Parkhill Lodge came third overall in the games and received certificates and a medal to take home!

Unsung hero

Dean’s journey with Changing Lives Building Dreams (CLBD) has been one of dedication, innovation, and leadership. CLBD is a small family-run organisation which is deeply committed to supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, and mental health conditions.

Dean recognised early on that for CLBD to grow and thrive, the leadership team, especially the registered managers, needed more time to connect directly with their staff and service users. Having a background in managing services, Dean understood the importance of practice leadership. He knew that registered managers needed to be on the floor, actively engaging with the team and developing their skills in real-time, rather than being occupied with administrative tasks.

So, Dean set out on a mission to find a solution. He researched digital systems, exploring options that would streamline administrative work without compromising the quality of care. After thoroughly assessing and selecting the best systems, he presented his findings to the senior management team, pitching a comprehensive digital transformation that would free up valuable time for the registered managers to focus on leadership and team development.

Once the senior management team approved the plan, Dean lead the organisation’s journey into digital technology. But his role didn’t stop there. He knew that adopting new technology was only part of the equation; the real challenge lay in ensuring that the registered managers were equipped to use these systems effectively. Dean became a mentor and trainer, creating tailored workshops and one-on-one sessions to guide the managers through the transition process.

Dean’s work has had a huge impact on the organisation, but it often goes unnoticed by many. He is the unsung hero who helped reshape the way CLBD operates, bringing the team closer together and driving the quality of care forward. His unwavering commitment to finding better ways for managers to do their jobs more effectively, while maintaining the human touch that defines CLBD, has made all the difference in ensuring the organisation can continue to deliver exceptional care for the people it serves.

Members of the management team had this to say about Dean’s digital transformation work:

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