Our impact in 2025
Looking back at 2025, our CEO, Helen Wildbore, shares her reflections on a year in social care.
“2025 was a tough year for social care.
Any hope generated by the change of UK Government faded, as much-needed reform of social care was (once again) kicked into the long grass. In England the task was delegated to the Casey Commission, which won’t report until 2028. In Scotland plans for a National Care Service were dropped.
Meanwhile, the crisis engulfing social care deepened. Our adviceline was needed more than ever. We heard from more people, facing much more complex problems with care. As care services and budgets continued to be stretched, our adviceline supported people:
struggling to get access to care and have their basic needs met
struggling to get serious concerns about care resolved
facing neglect, being moved far away from family or eviction, which all seem to be increasing
Our expert advisers were a lifeline for older people and their families; empowering people to understand their rights, challenge poor care and achieve positive change in their lives. People like Simon, whose care deteriorated in his care home and his basic needs were neglected. When his son raised concerns, he was banned from visiting. Our adviser supported his son to understand their legal rights, to document the failures and challenge the restrictions. With our help, Simon was finally able to move to a more appropriate specialist care home. This is just one example of the amazing impact our team has every day.
Yet many care providers can and do deliver good care. They are an example of how this can be done, with well supported staff, good leadership and responsiveness to feedback.
Pushing for change
2025 was also a year for learning the lessons of the past to push for change, through the social care module of the Covid-19 Inquiry. Giving oral evidence on behalf of our group of core participants (with Patients Association and John’s Campaign) was an emotional experience, sharing the voices of the people we supported. Given the myriad of failings on social care during the pandemic, choosing which voices to share and which issues to focus on was a challenge.
We pushed for reform of the sector, feeding insights from our advice service directly through to those in power. Our Vision for Social Care brings together our key recommendations for change, based on what we hear everyday from our advice clients about the challenges they face. These recommendations are being fed through to the Casey Commission to push for urgent, desperately-needed reform.
We must create a care system where everyone can access good care. This requires political will, bold leadership and resources to reform a sector so vital to the country’s wellbeing.
Growing to meet the challenge
Reflecting on our impact in 2025, we are grateful for the kindness and generosity of our supporters. Like Judith, who raised £175 for us by organising two raffles in her care home. We thank everyone who has given their time and money to the charity to support our work - without you none of this would be possible!
I'm immensely proud of the difference our work at Care Rights UK is making. Thanks to our small, brilliant team for their hard work, passion and determination through challenging times.
Demand for our advice service is growing rapidly. We are developing new information resources and investing in expanding the advice team. As a small charity, we need your help. With your support we can reach more people who desperately need our help, elevate their voices and push for a better care system for us all. Please consider donating today. Thank you!”
Find out more about our impact and highlights across 2025 by reading our Impact Report.