1st Place Winner
Nine Homes, One Vision: The Future of Social Care
TLC, a place so dear,
Where comfort and care are always near.
A haven of warmth, a heart full of grace,
Where kindness shines in every space.
Gentle hands guide each day’s pace,
Filling hearts with love’s embrace.
Memories shared, laughter, and cheer,
Together, we stand, year after year.
The body will heal where kindness grows,
Creating a lovely home, a place we call our own.
The future of care is warm and bright,
With truth, love, and compassion guiding us day and night.
Our teams stand strong together, with hearts so true,
Always here for those we care for too.
With every smile and hand we hold,
A story of comfort and memories unfold.
Dignity, joy, and stories shared,
A future built on thoughtful care.
At TLC, we lead the way,
Creating a sense of home in every way.
The future of care, a vision so bright,
With hope as our foundation, we rise and we share,
Crafting a future where all receive care.
In the garden of tomorrow, we plant with tender hands,
Truth as the seed, love the soil where it stands.
Compassion rains down, soft as morning light,
Watering hearts, guiding them through the night.
For a world of tomorrow, with hearts intertwined,
Truth, love, and compassion are the threads that bind.
Although the world of care may change,
Our love for our residents remains the same.
As sure as the sun is of its rays,
Our love for them will never wane.
The hands that lift, the hands that guide,
The hands that wipe the tears we hide.
Through every ache, through every pain,
They bring us sunshine through the rain.
Tomorrow’s care will know no chain,
No silent cries, no love in vain.
A world where kindness lights the way,
Where care is more than just a stay.
No one forgotten, no one unseen,
Each soul embraced, each heart serene.
Not just a service, not just a chore,
But love that lingers evermore.
Close your eyes, take a breath—
Imagine care beyond just death.
Not lonely rooms with empty stares,
But laughter, love, and hands that care.
Tomorrow’s care will break the mold,
A place where warmth outshines the cold.
No rush, no race, no time’s demand,
Just human hearts and helping hands.
The future calls for something more,
For care that’s deep, for love that soars.
For time to sit, for time to be,
For moments shaped by dignity.
But really, what does the future hold?
In our era, where AI grows wide,
And tech advancements turn the tide.
Social care is changing fast,
With modern tools that hold us fast.
From diagnostics to machines so keen,
Progress surges, yet unseen.
Still, no device, no matter how grand,
Can match the touch of a caring hand.
Care is more than tasks we do,
It’s love, compassion, and seeing it through.
No lifeless screen, no coded art,
Can match the warmth of a human heart.
A robot may remind the old,
When meds are due, with words so cold.
But it won’t replace a smile so bright,
Or soothe their fears late in the night.
Human presence, strong and true,
Lifts the soul, refreshes too.
With love and kindness, deep and free,
We shape the care the world must see.
The future blends both tech and touch,
Yet human hearts will mean so much.
For kindness, patience, and empathy,
Will always be the soul’s decree.
Nine homes stand, yet beat as one,
Together we shine like the morning sun.
Different voices, hands, and hearts,
United in care, each playing a part.
A tapestry woven, diverse and strong,
A place where every soul belongs.
From every background, near and far,
Each story, each culture, a guiding star.
Side by side, we rise each day,
Proud of the love we give away.
For every person, every name,
We cherish them all, we feel the same.
Not just a job, but a calling deep,
A promise to those in our care we keep.
Through joy and struggle, through light and shade,
A family of caregivers, never afraid.
So here we stand, with heads held high,
With hands that heal and hearts that try.
A world of care, both far and wide,
Built on love, our greatest pride.
Written by TLC Care
2nd Place Winner
The Power of Care
In quiet rooms where whispers dwell,
Where hearts are heavy, stories tell,
There stands a soul with gentle grace,
A care worker, in this sacred space.
With hands that soothe and eyes that see,
The pain, the joy, the silent plea,
They offer more than just their time,
They heal with love, a gift sublime.
Through endless days and sleepless nights,
They shine a beacon, soft and bright,
In every touch, in every word,
A symphony of care is heard.
Yet often in the shadows cast,
Their voices fade, their struggles vast,
Unheard, unseen, they soldier on,
Their strength, a quiet, steadfast song.
For in their care, we find our way,
Through darkest night to light of day,
They lift us up, they hold us near,
Their power lies in love sincere.
So let us honor, let us raise,
A chorus of unending praise,
For those who care, who give, who share,
The unsung heroes everywhere.
Written by Amandajayne Swann
3rd Place Winner
Advocating for the Forgotten: The Heart of Social Care
When I started Domiciliary care, I entered a world very different from my earlier days in residential homes. Domiciliary care meant stepping into people’s homes, supporting them in maintaining their independence. It was intimate, personal, and often unpredictable. Each visit was a window into someone’s life—some living alone, others relying on family, many with complex needs.
One of the most memorable people I cared for was Gladys, a lovely woman living with dementia. She stayed with her son, who, despite his best intentions, didn’t truly understand her condition. He believed dementia only affected memory, but I quickly saw it was so much more.
Every day, I walked with Gladys from the lounge to her bedroom, guiding her as she shuffled along with her zimmer frame. Her hallway was tiled in a black-and-white checkerboard pattern, and she avoided the black tiles as if they were gaping holes in the floor. To her, they weren’t solid ground—they were something to be feared. It broke my heart to see her struggle with something as simple as walking through her own home.
When I tried to explain to her son that these visual disturbances were part of her dementia, he brushed it off. He couldn’t see what she saw, and so he assumed the problem didn’t exist. The same misunderstanding applied when Gladys asked for her husband, unaware that he had passed away years before. Without hesitation, her son would tell her, “Mum, he died ten years ago.” Each time, she experienced the loss anew, fresh grief washing over her.
One day, I gently asked him, “Why do you keep telling her that?”
“She needs to know the truth,” he replied.
“But the truth is hurting her,” I explained. “Why not tell her he’s at work? Or out running errands? She just needs reassurance.”
At first, he was resistant, but he agreed to try. The change in Gladys was immediate. Without the constant reminders of her husband’s death, she was happier, more at ease. And slowly, her son began to see that dementia wasn’t just about memory—it was about perception, emotion, and the need for comfort.
This experience cemented something within me: I needed to advocate for people like Gladys. I needed to help others understand dementia, to educate families, and to ensure that those in our care were met with empathy rather than frustration.
Care work is often misunderstood. People assume it’s just about making tea and helping with personal care. But it is so much more than that. It is about people. It’s about being a lifeline to those who might otherwise feel forgotten. It’s about dignity, trust, and human connection.
Care workers witness the rawest moments of life—illness, decline, vulnerability. They hold hands with those taking their last breaths, advocate for those who have no voice, and bring laughter into homes where loneliness often lingers. They wake at dawn, work long hours, and go home exhausted, only to do it all over again the next day.
Yet, despite their invaluable contribution to society, care workers are rarely celebrated in the way they should be. The sector is underfunded, overburdened, and often overlooked. Staff shortages mean many carers work beyond their contracted hours, stretching themselves thin to ensure no one is left without the support they need. They do it because they care—because they know that behind every task, there is a person who relies on them.
The need for social care is only growing. With an aging population and increasing rates of dementia and chronic illness, the demand for skilled, compassionate care workers has never been higher. But for the sector to thrive, it needs investment—not just financial, but in training, recognition, and support for those on the front lines.
We need to move beyond the outdated notion that care work is “unskilled.” The reality is, it takes incredible skill, resilience, and emotional intelligence to do this job well. Care workers navigate complex medical conditions, challenging behaviours, and deeply personal situations—all while maintaining patience, professionalism, and kindness.
To anyone considering a career in care, I say this: it is one of the most rewarding jobs you will ever do. It will test you, challenge you, and push you beyond what you thought you were capable of. But it will also give you purpose. It will remind you daily of the strength of the human spirit, the power of kindness, and the profound impact of simply being there for someone who needs you.
The future of social care depends on how much we value the people within it. Care work is not just a job—it is the backbone of our communities, the bridge between independence and support, and, for many, the difference between loneliness and connection.
It’s time we recognise and celebrate the incredible individuals who dedicate their lives to this work. Because without them, society simply wouldn’t function the way it does.
And to every care worker out there: you are seen, you are valued, and you make the world a better place—one person at a time.
Written by Lynne Morgan