Meaningful Care Matters

15/10/2026

The theme for this year’s is ‘Values and Volunteering’.
Across many of the services we support, the kindness and commitment of volunteers can make a huge difference to people’s quality of life. Perhaps the most valuable gift volunteers bring is time. Time to sit and chat, help someone spend more time outdoors, or share a talent or interest such as music, reading or gardening.
A strong, shared sense of values is at the heart of the culture change we support. We frequently invite team members to reflect on why this work matters so much. Often, this takes us back to our own stories and the personal values that have shaped who we are and why we do the work we do.
So, what are the values we want to see reflected in the future of , , and ?
Ultimately, this is about all our futures.
What are the values that drive you, both at home and at work?

14/10/2026

What makes a really great care service and a home?
“We sit alongside rather than standing over.”
“We have conversations rather than simply asking questions.”
“We share experiences rather than simply providing activities.”
Charlie H***e, Managing Director at Huntington & Langham Estate in , captures perfectly some of the subtle but important distinctions that make truly so special.
It’s about being with people, not simply doing things for them.

They say a picture speaks a thousand words. This photo that I captured in our care home does exactly that for me. It shows Zena, our receptionist, sitting alongside Anne, one of our residents, working on a crossword together. At first glance, there’s nothing particularly remarkable about it. Two p...

11/10/2026

We are delighted to welcome Suheir Abdurahman to Meaningful Care Matters as an Associate Consultant.

Suheir brings more than 20 years of nursing experience across long-term care, retirement living, hospital and community settings. At the heart of her practice has always been a desire to see the person behind the care, taking time to understand their story, what matters to them and the experiences that have shaped who they are.

Her love of listening to people’s stories began long before nursing, growing up in a home where her father was a natural storyteller. That ability to listen, connect and make people feel heard has remained central throughout her career.

Suheir describes one experience with a person living with dementia who greeted her every few minutes as though they were meeting for the first time. However many times it happened, Suheir responded as though it were their first hello too. A simple example of being in someone else’s reality and making that moment matter.

As Suheir says:

“The setting may change, but for me, the heart of nursing does not: seeing the person, not just the patient.”

It is this shared philosophy that drew Suheir to Meaningful Care Matters, and we are excited to have her joining our international team as an Associate and sharing her experience, warmth and passion for truly person-centred care.

Welcome to MCM, Suheir!

11/10/2026

Butterfly Essential Four is at the heart of our Meaningful Care Matters strapline :
“We want to create a space where everyone feels safe to be themselves.”
Being accepted and respected for who we are is fundamental to wellbeing.
Our culture, faith, sexuality, gender identity, learning and communication style are just some of the things that make each of us who we are.
Creating psychological safety needs to go beyond policies and positive intentions. It should be something that people we support and team members can see, hear and feel in everyday life.
What does look and feel like in your service?

10/10/2026

On this year, there feels like a lot of difficult and sad things happening in the world, which don’t help our mental health. How can we reduce stigma and provide a safe space for discussion, to practice self-care and to check in with our colleagues and families on how they are doing? How often do we ask, “How are you?” without taking the time to really listen to the honest answer?

10/10/2026

Our partners at The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust remind us that ‘there is hope’ on

💚 World Mental Health Day | 10 October

This World Mental Health Day, we’re taking a moment to remind our Naval community that you don’t have to face things alone.

At The RNBT, we understand that life can bring challenges at any stage, whether you’re serving, have left the Royal Navy or Royal Marines, or are supporting a loved one.

Our Regional Caseworkers provide a listening ear and can offer practical support, guidance and signposting to help you find the right support for your circumstances. Sometimes, simply having someone to talk to can be the first step. 💙

You don’t need to wait until things reach breaking point before asking for help.

⚓ Need someone to talk to or not sure where to turn? Get in touch with The RNBT and find out how we can help.

09/10/2026

In this blog, Charlie H***e, Managing Director at the Huntington & Langham Estate Huntington & Langham Estate in , beautifully captures some of the fundamental elements of the and Approaches to care.
A simple picture of two women sharing time together at Huntington House says so much about what it really means to create a sense of home, belonging and connection.
As Charlie writes:
“Home isn’t really a collection of objects. It’s a feeling. It’s knowing that you belong.”

They say a picture speaks a thousand words. This photo that I captured in our care home does exactly that for me. It shows Zena, our receptionist, sitting alongside Anne, one of our residents, working on a crossword together. At first glance, there’s nothing particularly remarkable about it. Two p...

07/10/2026

Local museums offer so many rich possibilities for interesting experiences. This visit looks fun!

06/10/2026

At MCM, we find that some of the most powerful learning happens when team members experience something for themselves and can take it straight back into their service.
There was a great day of hands-on learning recently at Roberta Place, Jarlette Health Services - Retirement Communities , in , led by our Consultant Nurse Trainer, Darryl Hawtin.
The team chopped vegetables for fresh soup and baked bread together. Along the way, there was plenty of conversation, connection and laughter, as well as some delicious results!
Darryl shared: “It was great to see everyone getting involved, creating together and bringing the Butterfly philosophy to life in such a meaningful way.”
Sometimes the best way to understand the Butterfly Approach is simply to experience it.

06/10/2026

Congratulations Penny- you are an inspiring leader who has demonstrated the Butterfly Approach at its very best over many years.

Church farm care at Wren Hall Nursing ❤️
Our lovely Penny has recently been nominated for the Outstanding Contribution to Social Care Award at the Great British Care Awards and we are pleased to announce she has been selected as a finalist.
We will be attending the awards in November, please join us in celebrating her and her contributions.🎊🎉