Below are 10 practical tips to help you get the most out of the day, from the Bluebird Care franchise team.

1. How should I research exhibitors before the show?

Check the exhibitor list on the National Franchise Exhibition website in advance and shortlist the brands you want to speak to. The show floor is large and time is limited, so walking in with a plan stops you wandering aimlessly, and it means you won’t miss the conversations that matter most to you.

2. What budget do I need before buying a franchise?

Know your total investment ceiling, including working capital, not just the franchise fee, before you talk to anyone. Franchisors will ask about this early on, and having a clear answer gets you a realistic conversation rather than a generic sales pitch.

3. What questions should I ask a franchisor at the exhibition?

Ask about total investment costs, ongoing royalty and marketing fees, average franchisee earnings (and request a Financial Performance Representation if one’s offered), typical failure or exit rates, and the length of the franchise agreement. Don’t be afraid to ask, “why do franchisees leave?”.  A confident, honest answer says a lot about a brand.

4. Are the seminars at the NEC worth attending?

Yes. The National Franchise Exhibition runs free seminar sessions throughout the day covering topics like financing your franchise, understanding legal contracts, and choosing the right sector for you. These sessions are often just as valuable as the conversations you’ll have on the stands.

5. Should I speak to existing franchisees, not just head office staff?

Yes, many franchisors bring current franchisees along to the show. Ask to speak to them directly, and if you can, get their contact details so you can follow up with more questions once the event is over.

6. How do I compare franchise brands fairly?

Bring a notebook or use your phone to record the investment level, support on offer, territory availability, and your gut impression of each brand as you go round. After the third or fourth stand, details start to blur together, so writing things down as you go means you can compare fairly once you’re home.

7. What funding and finance options are available at the show?

Franchise-specialist lenders and banks often exhibit or have representatives at the National Franchise Exhibition. It’s a great opportunity to get an early sense of what you could borrow before you take things further.

8. How do I check a franchisor’s legal and regulatory standing?

Ask whether the franchisor is a member of the British Franchise Association (BFA), and whether they’ll provide a franchise agreement for independent legal review before you sign anything. A reputable franchisor will expect and welcome this.

9. How important is personal fit when choosing a franchise?

Very. The most successful franchisees usually enjoy the day-to-day work, not just the numbers on the page. Be honest with yourself about whether the sector and the daily tasks genuinely suit your skills, interests, and values. This matters more than people expect.

10. Should I sign anything on the day of the exhibition?

No. Exhibitors may offer “show discounts” or incentives to commit quickly, but you should resist the pressure. Take information away, do your due diligence, get independent legal and financial advice, and speak to multiple franchisees before making any decision.

Meet the Bluebird Care team at the NEC

If home care is a sector you’re considering, we’d love to talk. Come and find the Bluebird Care stand (M70) at the National Franchise Exhibition on the 2^nd and 3^rd of October. Our team will be on hand to answer your questions and share what it’s really like to run a Bluebird Care franchise.

Can’t make it to the show? Get in touch with our franchise recruitment team to arrange a chat.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the National Franchise Exhibition at the NEC?

The National Franchise Exhibition traditionally takes place every October at the NEC in Birmingham. Check the official show website for exact dates and opening times. In 2026, the exhibition is taking place on Friday and Saturday, the 2nd and 3rd of October, and will be open 10am to 4pm on each day.

Is the National Franchise Exhibition free to attend?

Tickets are typically free when registered in advance through the show’s website, though this can vary by year; check the official listing before you go.

What should I bring to a franchise exhibition?

Bring a notebook or phone for notes, a list of prepared questions, proof of your available budget if asked, and business cards or contact details so franchisors and franchisees can follow up with you.

Is Bluebird Care a member of the British Franchise Association?

Yes, Bluebird Care is a Full Member of the British Franchise Association. This means that we continually demonstrate a viable business model and operate fairly and ethically.

How much does it cost to buy a Bluebird Care franchise?

The franchise fee for a whitespace (brand new) territory is £45,000 + VAT. You will also need to consider working capital on top of this as you grow your business. The franchise fee for a resale opportunity is from £25,000 +VAT.

(Costs dated Aug 2026)

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Home care has been identified as one of the UK’s largest and fastest-growing mission-led business sectors, according to a landmark new census published by Allia Impact and Beauhurst Insights.

The report, The Impact Business Tipping Point: A Data-Driven Census of the UK’s Mission-Led Business Landscape, is the first comprehensive analysis of its kind, mapping more than 150,000 mission-led organisations across the UK that together generate £37bn in annual turnover and support 1.12 million jobs.

Among the key findings, home care accounts for 5% of all mission-led businesses in the UK and sits within the top eight sectors that collectively make up over half (51%) of the country’s mission-led organisations. Even more notably, home care and domiciliary care were named the largest single sub-group of “impact-first” businesses, organisations whose primary purpose is delivering social impact, accounting for 12% of all such active organisations nationally.

The wider data paints an encouraging picture for the sector. Mission-led businesses have grown by around 61% since 2016, comfortably outpacing the 42% growth seen across the general UK business population, while also proving more resilient, with a five-year survival rate of almost 70% compared to 45-48% nationally. Since 2011, these businesses have raised more than £30bn in external funding, although the report notes that care-based organisations continue to attract less investment than technology-led counterparts.

Martin Clark, chief executive of Allia Impact, said the census “challenges the misconception that prioritising impact comes at the expense of business growth,” adding that with the right support, the UK could move from simply measuring the impact economy to actively building it.

For Bluebird Care, this research reinforces what our franchise network sees every day: that delivering high-quality, person-centred care and building sustainable, thriving businesses are not competing goals – they go hand in hand. As one of the sectors leading this growth, home care providers across the country continue to demonstrate that purpose-driven organisations can also be powerful engines of economic activity, employment and innovation.

Read the full story on Home Care Insight: Home care among UK’s fastest-growing mission-led sectors

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• New poll finds 74% of the public say they’d be proud to work in adult social care – but only 32% would consider it as a career
• 84% believe care professionals deserve the same recognition as NHS staff
• 63% say social care careers aren’t promoted strongly enough, while 86% believe better training and career progression are needed to attract more recruits

Despite widespread public respect for adult social care, fewer than one in three people would consider a career in the sector, according to a new report from Bluebird Care, which reveals a major disconnect between the public’s perception of social care and their willingness to pursue it as a career.

The report, Untapped Opportunities: Building Meaningful Careers in Social Care, combines nationally representative polling with insights from Bluebird Care colleagues across the UK, revealing a striking contradiction.

Despite the common assumption that the profession is viewed as low-skilled, the public widely recognises social care as skilled, rewarding and essential. Yet, the sector can still struggle to attract the workforce it needs.

Nearly three-quarters (74.2%) of the public say they would be proud to tell people they worked in adult social care, while 73.7% reject the idea that care is low-skilled work. More than eight in ten (83.5%) believe care professionals should be recognised as skilled professionals in the same way as NHS staff.

Yet despite this, only 31.8% say they have considered or would consider working in paid adult social care themselves.

The research suggests the challenge is not one of respect, but awareness. Almost two-thirds (63.2%) believe careers in adult social care are not promoted strongly enough, while just under half (47%) believe the sector offers long-term opportunities for career progression. More than four in ten (40.4%) say they would be more likely to consider a career in social care if clearer opportunities for progression and professional development were available.

The findings come as the Government looks for ways to increase workforce participation and tackle economic inactivity. With adult social care expected to require hundreds of thousands of additional workers over the coming years, Bluebird Care says the sector represents one of Britain’s greatest untapped employment opportunities – but only if more people understand the careers it can offer.

Jonathan Gardner, Chief Executive Officer of Bluebird Care, said:

“The issue isn’t convincing people that social care matters; they’ve already told us it does. Our research shows the public already values care professionals, recognises the skill involved and understands the vital role they play in society.

“The challenge is convincing people it could be their career. Too many people still don’t realise social care offers opportunities to specialise, develop professionally, progress into leadership and build long-term, rewarding careers. We need to do a better job of showing people what’s possible.

“At a time when the Government is rightly focused on growing the workforce, supporting young people into employment and strengthening public services, social care should be part of that conversation. But attracting more people into the sector will require more than recruitment campaigns. We need clearer career pathways, greater investment in training and development, and stronger recognition of social care as a profession in its own right.”

Alongside the national polling, the report draws on research with Bluebird Care colleagues and in-depth interviews with care professionals who have progressed into leadership, specialist clinical roles, training, operations and franchise ownership.

Many described entering social care without intending to build a long-term career, only discovering the breadth of opportunities available after joining the sector. Their experiences demonstrate that meaningful careers in care are not limited to frontline roles but can lead to a wide range of professional, clinical and leadership pathways when the right support, training and development are in place.

The report argues that the UK’s workforce challenge is not simply about recruiting more care professionals, but about helping more people recognise social care as a career of choice. With these insights, Bluebird Care calls on the Government, employers, and the wider sector to:

• Raise the profile of social care careers through schools, colleges, and careers services.
• Invest in clearer career pathways, training and mentoring to help care professionals progress and specialise.
• Strengthen professional recognition of the skills and expertise required in adult social care.

About Bluebird Care

• Bluebird Care is the UK’s largest private homecare and live-in care provider, supporting more than 20,000 people every day across 220+ locally owned offices.
• The organisation delivers premium, personalised home care services, enabling people to live safely and independently in their own homes.
• Bluebird Care works with a team of 10,000+ Care Professionals, delivering a wide range of services including domiciliary care, live-in care, complex care, and specialist dementia support.
• 97% of Bluebird Care services are rated Good or Outstanding by regulators, with a 9.3/10 group rating on homecare.co.uk and a 4.6 Trustpilot score from over 900 reviews.
• Bluebird Care’s approach is underpinned by a commitment to premium, person-centred care, summed up in its brand promise: “It’s good to be home.”

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Bluebird Care launched Magic Notes, developed by social enterprise Beam, to its network in February 2026, making it one of the first national home care franchisors in the UK to adopt AI-assisted care planning at scale. It’s available to every franchise office today, with a significant and growing number of partners already using it day-to-day. There’s no new software to install and no disruption to existing systems, making it a low-friction addition to any franchise operation.

The platform works by recording assessment conversations and automatically turning them into structured, high-quality care plan documentation, which office teams then review and edit before filing. For franchise partners, that means less time spent on paperwork and more capacity for the parts of the business that drive growth and quality: customer relationships, staff development, and care delivery.

A direct impact on the bottom line

Documentation has always been one of the biggest hidden costs of running a home care franchise. A single care plan can take up to four hours to complete, representing around £80 in staff time at £20 per hour. Franchise partners using Magic Notes are already reporting savings of around £40 per plan, time and cost that can be redirected into recruitment, retention, or business development.

Independent evaluations of Magic Notes across social care settings have found documentation time savings of between 50% and 60%, and Bluebird Care’s own network is reflecting those figures back. Lynsey Anderson, Bluebird Care’s Quality Manager for Scotland, Northern England and Northern Ireland, who has led the project, said:

We are delighted to introduce Magic Notes to the Bluebird Care network as part of our wider AI strategy for 2026. This initiative is focused on reducing the administrative burden on our care teams, enabling them to spend more time on what truly matters – delivering exceptional care within our communities. Since implementing the software, we’ve seen administrative time reduced by 50%, freeing up valuable resources that can be reinvested elsewhere. Just as importantly, our teams are reporting higher job satisfaction, with less time spent on paperwork and more meaningful, natural interactions with customers. We’ve been extremely impressed with the support from the team at Beam and look forward to continuing this exciting journey with AI.

Better for your business, better for your team

For prospective and existing franchise partners, the appeal goes beyond time savings. Teams using Magic Notes report better-structured documentation, more confident assessment conversations, and, importantly, higher staff satisfaction, an increasingly valuable advantage in a sector where recruitment and retention are two of the biggest challenges franchise owners face. Freeing care professionals from repetitive paperwork means more natural, meaningful interactions with customers, which supports both care quality and word-of-mouth growth for local offices.

Built for care, trusted at scale

Magic Notes was designed specifically for frontline care professionals rather than adapted from a generic AI product. It works in a customer’s home, over the phone, on a video call, and even without an internet connection, handles varied accents with 98% reported transcription accuracy, and can automatically translate sessions held in other languages into English.

It’s also backed by proven adoption at scale, used by over 65,000 practitioners across more than 200 organisations, including local authorities, NHS trusts, and social care providers. Councils including Newcastle, Camden, Kingston, and Tameside have all rolled it out following successful pilots, giving franchise partners confidence that they’re adopting a platform with a genuine track record, not an unproven experiment.

Part of a bigger movement, and a bigger opportunity

Bluebird Care is launching Magic Notes at a moment when the wider social care sector is recognising what AI can do for documentation. Following a public consultation in autumn 2025 involving 137 UK adults, including social care service users, 86% said they believed Magic Notes would benefit social care, and 83% expressed positive views about care professionals using the tool. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is among the organisations now reported to be exploring the platform.

For anyone considering a Bluebird Care franchise, this is a clear example of what franchisor investment looks like in practice: putting the network at the forefront of sector-wide change, rather than waiting for it to arrive, and giving franchise partners a tangible commercial and operational edge from day one.

Data security you and your customers can trust

Bluebird Care takes data security seriously, and so does Beam. Magic Notes is certified to Cyber Essentials Plus standards, processes all data within the UK, and never uses care data to train AI models. Audio recordings are deleted after 120 days, and every document remains under the control of the care professional until it has been reviewed, edited, and filed.

Bluebird Care is the UK’s largest private home care provider and franchise network, operating through more than 220 franchise offices across the UK and Ireland. Founded in 2004, the company serves over 25,000 customers and employs over 12,000 care professionals. Investments like Magic Notes form part of the ongoing support, systems, and technology Bluebird Care provides to help franchise partners build efficient, high-quality, and profitable care businesses.

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New research commissioned by Bluebird Care reveals that while demand for care is set to rise sharply, the majority of people in the UK have made no plans for how they will fund or access future care, which will cost on average £200,000 per person.

• 65% of UK residents have no plan in place for their future care
• Nearly a quarter of UK residents (23%) expect to sell their home to afford care costs
• Almost half of UK residents (48%) don’t know where to start when it comes to planning for care
• Care at home is the clear preference, with almost three-quarters (73%) wanting to remain at home or with family rather than move into a care home

In partnership with broadcaster Si King, private home care provider Bluebird Care has launched a new awareness campaign highlighting how unprepared millions of UK residents are for the cost and demand for care following findings from new research.

Commissioned by Bluebird Care, new research revealed a major gap between expectations and preparation for future care. The findings show that two-thirds of adults (65%) have no plan in place for their future care, while nearly half (48%) admit they don’t know where to start when it comes to planning. Financial concerns are also a major barrier, with almost a quarter of people (23%) expecting they will need to sell their home to cover care costs.

With the demand for care set to rise sharply, planning ahead is becoming increasingly important. By 2072, UK residents aged 65 and over is expected to rise to 22.1 million people, more than a quarter of the nation’s population, according to the Office for National Statistics. Yet many families still only discover their options or the true cost of care when faced with urgent decisions, highlighting the value of early awareness and informed planning.

Si is lending his voice to the campaign after witnessing the realities of care first-hand. His mother lived with Alzheimer’s disease, and he also supported his close friend and fellow Hairy Biker Dave Myers through serious health battles – experiences that shaped his determination to encourage more open and informed conversations about care.

Si King said:

“Care is something most of us avoid thinking about until life forces the conversation. I’ve seen first-hand through friends and family how quickly everything can change.

What really struck me was how little we understand about care until we’re right in the middle of it. I’m proud to be working with Bluebird Care to help change that, giving people the confidence to start those conversations earlier, understand their options, and keep living on their own terms for as long as possible.”

Despite these gaps in planning, nearly three-quarters of adults (73%) would rather remain in their own home or with family than move into a care home. However, many people still underestimate the true cost of care. The average cost of a care home is around £70,000 per year, compared with approximately £50,000 per year for live-in care at home.

Joe Whibley, UK Chief Operating Officer of Bluebird Care, said:

“These findings highlight a disconnect between the reality of future care needs and how prepared people feel to meet them. Earlier planning not only benefits individuals and families, but also supports a more sustainable care system by enabling better choice, better outcomes and more appropriate use of services.”

Vicki Gidalla, Director of Quality & Care of Bluebird Care, said:

“Care at home continues to be the preferred option for many people, yet too often families only explore this when they are already under pressure. Improving awareness of care options, costs and quality is essential if we want to help people to live well and independently for longer.”

To help people plan for future care needs, Bluebird Care published practical resources, including its Good Care Checklist, which is designed to help families understand what good care should look like and how to navigate the system with confidence.

For more information, visit www.bluebirdcare.co.uk.

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As I look back on 2025, what stands out most is not a single policy decision or headline statistic, but the day-to-day reality of delivering care in an increasingly pressured system. This has been a year where every provider has had to think more carefully about sustainability, workforce wellbeing and the changing expectations of the people we support.

There’s no denying that our sector has been operating under extraordinary cost pressure, which hit new heights in 2025. Payroll costs rose by around 12% across the sector, local authority uplifts once again fell far short of covering real costs, and workforce shortages remained stubbornly high at 130,000 current vacancies in social care. None of us are strangers to these challenges, but this year they felt more acute, particularly as the promise of wider reform slipped down the government’s priority list.

And yet, in the middle of these pressures, I’ve seen a quiet, determined commitment from our teams and indeed from homecare providers across the sector to adapt with professionalism.

Responding to Pressure in 2025

2025 has been about adapting and innovating to meet rising demand and focus on what matters most to people seeking care and support at home. Across our 220 franchise businesses, we’re now delivering more than a million hours of care per month in 2025 – a 15% increase from 2024. I’ve been immensely proud of the work our teams have done this year at Bluebird Care to develop more complex care services (doubling our number of complex care customers), expand live-in services, and make use of tools that help families access support more quickly.

We know that people want choice, and there is a significant growing demand for high-quality care at home, which we are proud to step up to. This year, we launched our new brand and strapline ‘It’s Good To be Home’, which encapsulates our premium offer and the importance of home and memories as people age. Our new premium look and feel clearly has a place in people’s expectations and preferences for homecare, as we have been pleased to see a 60% growth in leads quarter-to-quarter as a result.

We have accompanied the new brand with training that makes sure our Care Professionals and support teams are equipped to deliver the care that meets the changing needs of today. Over 250 Care Professionals have now attended our bespoke enhanced dementia training, developed to be role-specific and an extension of our Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friends programme. On top of that, we’re setting our 10,000+ Care Professionals up for the future of care delivery with our in-house Bluebird Care Academy, which was accredited as a registered training provider this year – reducing the administrative and time burden for Care Professionals by giving them all the qualifications they need to advance their careers under one roof.

These investments in our premium offer and highly skilled colleague training reflects the changing face of care, which is about raising standards and bringing to communities a full-service offer that can be there for people as their needs change.

Looking Ahead to the New Year

As we step into 2026, I’m hopeful – not because the pressures facing social care will ease – but because I’ve seen what our workforce and our network can achieve when we work together in new ways. A key part of this will be continuing to embrace digital innovation as a driver of efficiency, adaptation and transformation in the face of ongoing sector headwinds.

In 2025, Bluebird Care took significant strides in this space, with major advancements in AI-enabled tools through integrating PairlyPro, HubSpot and Tribepad into different areas of our practice. These technologies are already helping our teams work more efficiently, match customers to the right services more quickly, and streamline recruitment and marketing in ways that were not possible even a few years ago.

Looking ahead, we will continue to build on these foundations, using intelligent digital tools to strengthen operational resilience, improve customer experience and free up more time for what matters most: delivering exceptional care.

Adapting to Policy Changes in 2026 and Beyond

The national policy landscape is evolving slowly, and 2026 will see some major milestones start to take shape that will create more change for providers. The Employment Rights Bill seeks to improve professionalisation across parts of our sector, and the groundwork for the Fair Pay Agreement will start to emerge ahead of its 2028 planned implementation. These are important changes, but they will also bring new expectations, new reporting requirements and, of course, yet more new cost implications for employers.

Providers of all shapes and sizes need to be ready, informed and involved, to make sure that the lived reality of homecare is reflected in the path ahead. Of course, we also want to see reforms being matched by commissioning models and funding structures that allow these changes to be introduced responsibly.

But rather than sit back and hope for more sector funding to magically emerge, we need to start work now to understand our data, scenario-plan and continue building operational resilience. We’re supporting our franchise partners to carry out this work because we recognise that as a sector, we can’t afford to wait for policy reform to happen to us.

What remains certain is our unwavering commitment to high quality care and the commitment of the Care Professionals and franchise partners within Bluebird Care.

Enquire now:

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Vicki Gidalla has been appointed Director of Quality and Care at Bluebird Care, bringing with her more than two decades of experience as a Registered Adult Nurse at the heart of community care transformation.

Vicki will oversee quality assurance and care enhancement across the Bluebird Care UK and Ireland network of over 220 franchised businesses. Her role will include implementing exciting new advancements and technologies to go above and beyond in best practice care.

Prior to joining Bluebird Care, Vicki was Director of Operations at Acacium Group, and formerly Quality Assurance and Homecare Director at Nurseplus UK. Her experience in clinical leadership, quality assurance, and operations management brings a wide knowledge base to the role, which she sees as more than just a ‘tick box’ exercise in compliance.

Throughout her career, Vicki has maintained a focus on combining creativity with critical thinking and building trust-based relationships. She has already been out across the Bluebird Care network, visiting as many franchise partners and frontline care teams as possible to embed the sense of community and personal relationships into the programme of quality oversight she will lead.

Vicki Gidalla, Director of Quality and Care at Bluebird Care, said:

“I’m pleased to be joining Bluebird Care at such an exciting time, when they have seen such growth and committed to some really interesting initiatives like their specialist dementia training and free in-home health checks for customers.

Bluebird Care has a really solid base for quality, so my priorities now are taking things to the next level – pushing ahead and making sure every aspect of care delivery in all our Bluebird Care offices feels truly premium. For me, that means making sure each of our customers has freedom of choice – not looking at what care ‘should’ be, but what care could be for each individual person and their needs, circumstances, and preferences.”

Jonathan Gardner, Chief Executive Officer of Bluebird Care, said:

“Vicki’s impressive track record of clinical leadership coupled with her creative, driven approach to enhancing quality are great assets to Bluebird Care. We are all really delighted to have her on board.

We are looking forward to the next chapter in our delivery of truly premium care for people right across the UK and Ireland.

Vicki will be invaluable in leading us forward as we develop some exciting new service lines and make quality easier than ever for our franchise partners.”

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Our amazing franchise network has raised a staggering £92,500 for Alzheimer’s Society in our ongoing fundraising partnership with the charity.

The donation will go towards supporting vital advocacy, support, and information services to help those living with dementia and their families.

The fundraising total was unveiled at Bluebird Care’s recent annual conference at The Manchester Deansgate Hotel, Manchester. Franchise partners and the National Support Team came together with representatives from Alzheimer’s Society to celebrate another year of care excellence, community impact, and shared purpose.

The announcement marks another landmark in Bluebird Care’s ongoing fundraising partnership with Alzheimer’s Society.

During this partnership, a UK-wide fundraising challenge has seen franchise partners and Care Professionals take part in skydives, marathons, trekking events, and Forget Me Not Tea Parties to raise awareness and vital funds.

Earlier this year, we launched a new national fundraising mission with the goal of raising at least £50,000 for Alzheimer’s Society in 2025, as we are set on closing out the year at over £110,000 raised.

Siobhan Nugent, Head of Regional Fundraising at Alzheimer’s Society, celebrated the presentation of the cheque, saying:

Bluebird Care’s continued support for Alzheimer’s Society is hugely appreciated. There are nearly one million people living with dementia in the UK. The money raised will help us continue to provide vital support to people living with dementia, fund groundbreaking research and campaign to make dementia a priority.”

“It will take a society to beat dementia – a condition that devastates the lives of so many families across the UK. Bluebird Care network is showing the difference it can make when we work together towards a shared fundraising goal.”

Jonathan Gardner, Chief Executive Officer at Bluebird Care, added:

“At Bluebird Care, we see the reality of dementia in people’s lives every day, and we know the vital importance of support, research, and awareness.

Our franchise network has gone above and beyond to raise this incredible total for Alzheimer’s Society, and we couldn’t be prouder. From skydives to tea parties, our teams are united across the UK in their commitment to help build a future where dementia no longer devastates lives.”

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Our 2025 Bluebird Care Conference on the 30th of September, brought franchise partners together for an inspiring day of learning, sharing and celebrating everything that makes our network exceptional. A real highlight of the event was the annual awards ceremony, recognising those individuals and teams who go above and beyond every day to deliver outstanding care, build brilliant teams, and live our Bluebird Care values.

Below, we are delighted to share the winners and celebrate their fantastic achievements.

Franchise Partner of the Year – Mark Wright & Mark Lund

Mark Wright and Mark Lund were recognised for exceptional leadership, consistent performance, and their commitment to high-quality care. Their focus on developing strong teams, sustainable growth, and great outcomes for customers truly reflects the very best of franchising within Bluebird Care.

Spirit of Bluebird Care Award – Mel Cohen

This award celebrates someone who truly embodies our values in everything they do, and this year that person is Mel Cohen. Mel’s positivity, compassion and “go the extra mile” approach have had a real impact on both colleagues and customers, making them a true ambassador for the Bluebird Care spirit.

Franchise Office of the Year – Bluebird Care Stratford & Warwick – Sophie Whitfield & Jack Whitfield

Sophie and Jack Whitfield and the whole Stratford & Warwick team were recognised for their outstanding performance across the board. From compliance and quality to people management and business growth. Their office sets an example of excellence in how to run a high-performing Bluebird Care service.

Newcomer of the Year Award – Melissa Moore & Liam Jones-Davies

Melissa Moore and Liam Jones-Davies have made an incredible impact in a short space of time. Their energy, drive and commitment to building a strong, values-led business has already delivered impressive results.

Living the Brand Award – Shabir Hussain

This award recognises someone who consistently lives and breathes the Bluebird Care brand, and this year’s winner, Shabir Hussain, does exactly that. Through everyday actions and dedication to delivering excellent care, Shabir brings our purpose and brand to life in a truly inspiring way.

Outstanding Dementia Care Award – Phil Miles & John Prendergast

Phil Miles and John Prendergast were recognised for delivering exceptional dementia care and truly person-centred support. Their expertise, compassion and commitment to improving the lives of people living with dementia are making a meaningful difference to customers and their families.

Community Champion Award – David Benjamin

The Community Champion Award celebrates those who go above and beyond to make a real difference. This year’s winner, David Benjamin, has shown incredible passion for fundraising. Through a range of initiatives, he has brought people together, raised vital funds for important causes, and made a genuine impact on those in need. His dedication truly embodies the spirit of giving back and supporting others.

People & Culture Award – Rebecca Zartarian & Simon Robinson

Rebecca Zartarian and Simon Robinson were recognised for creating an outstanding workplace culture where people feel valued, supported, and able to thrive. Their focus on wellbeing, development and engagement has built strong teams that deliver brilliant care every day.

Marketing Award – Paula O’Keeffe

This award celebrates creativity, impact and innovation in marketing, and Paula O’Keeffe stood out this year for outstanding campaigns that truly showcase what makes Bluebird Care unique. Paula’s work has strengthened brand presence locally and supported business growth.

Quality Award – Claire Murphy & Norman Murphy

Claire and Norman Murphy were recognised for exceptional standards of quality across their service. Their commitment to continuous improvement, strong governance and excellent customer outcomes demonstrates what “outstanding quality” really looks like in practice.

A huge well done to all our finalists and winners! Your dedication, leadership and passion for high-quality care continue to inspire the entire Bluebird Care network.

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Bluebird Care Winchester, Eastleigh & Romsey has won the prestigious ‘Homecare Provider of the Year’ award at the 2025 Hampshire Care Awards, which was held at a glittering ceremony hosted by the Hampshire Care Association at the Hilton Hotel at the Utilita Bowl on Thursday, 18th September.

The esteemed accolade recognises Bluebird Care’s unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality home care. On receiving the award, the local care provider was praised for “consistently delivering exceptional, person-centred care, demonstrating excellence in service delivery, innovation, and community impact.”

The Hampshire Care Awards celebrate outstanding contributions to the care sector across the county, with over 600 nominations submitted across all categories this year. Bluebird Care stood out for its dedication to providing exceptional, compassionate care that supports individuals to live independently in their own homes.

Bluebird Care Winchester, Eastleigh & Romsey has become renowned for high-quality home care standards, as evidenced by their third consecutive ‘5-star Outstanding’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), achieved in May this year. This latest award highlights their commitment to delivering innovative, person-centred services that enhance the lives of their customers.  

Norman Murphy, Managing Director of Bluebird Care Winchester, Eastleigh & Romsey, said:

“Winning Homecare Provider of the Year is a tremendous honour, and a testament to the hard work and dedication of our incredible team. Their commitment to delivering exceptional homecare and making a meaningful impact in our community is truly inspiring, and we are proud to provide people with care of the highest quality.”

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