What an incredible two days it has been at Care Show London—an event that once again proved the power of collaboration, innovation, and, most importantly, the voices of people with lived experience.
The Outstanding Society’s Learning Lounge stood at the heart of it all. Across the event, it became a vibrant hub of discussion, connection, and inspiration, bringing together professionals, partners, regulators, and individuals who are shaping the future of care.
First and foremost, a huge thank you must go to the Care Show London team for delivering what was undoubtedly one of the best events yet. Special recognition to Molly, Matthew, Adam, and Mike, whose dedication and energy made the entire experience seamless and impactful.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without the incredible Outstanding Society team—both those present at the event and those supporting from afar. Your commitment, passion, and attention to detail ensured the Learning Lounge was not just a space, but an experience.
We are also deeply grateful to our partners, stakeholders, and speakers, including colleagues from CQC, who contributed to meaningful conversations and helped strengthen relationships that will continue well beyond these two days. The connections formed and the shared ambition across the sector have been nothing short of inspiring.
The Learning Lounge Sessions
A true highlight of the Learning Lounge was the presentation of four Chief Nurse Gold Awards by Professor Deborah Sturdy.
- Zoe Shears – Maypole Grove (Exemplar Health Care)
- Suyi Osawe – Majesticare Care Homes
- Alan Fry – The Outstanding Society
- Samantha Crawley – EQ Care Group & The Outstanding Society.
These awards celebrated excellence, leadership, and dedication within the care sector—recognising individuals who go above and beyond to make a difference. It was a powerful moment that captured the spirit of the event: recognising and uplifting those who deliver outstanding care every single day.
If there is one key takeaway from Care Show London, it is this: people with lived experience must remain at the centre of everything we do. Their voices, insights, and perspectives are not just valuable—they are essential. Across the Learning Lounge, this message came through loud and clear in every session, every conversation, and every shared story.
And while words can only capture so much, the real impact will be seen through the videos, quotes, and reflections shared by Abby & Cameron, who brought these experiences to life.
Looking ahead, the momentum doesn’t stop here. The Outstanding Society directors have already been hard at work planning for Care Show Birmingham. With new ideas, exciting partnerships, and an even greater focus on lived experience, it promises to be something truly special.
Tickets will be available soon—and if London is anything to go by, Birmingham is not to be missed.
Thank you, Care Show London. We’ll see you in Birmingham.
Reflections
The Care Show was really next level for me. I was blown away by the impact that people with lived experience had as key participants in some of the sessions. Abi and Cameron were honest, articulate and cut through the noise reminding us all where our key focus should be. Cameron said "supported living should be supporting people to live" and Abi said, "a care plan is like somebody's fingerprint - it's that individual".
These key messages are succinct and will certainly make us all reflect on how we all work.
The London Care Show has come to a close, marking two incredibly busy and rewarding days immersed in all things Social Care.
The Outstanding Society CIC theatre and panels brought together a range of insightful and thought-provoking speakers. Each session offered something different, from practical innovation to big-picture thinking, highlighting both the challenges facing the sector and the significant opportunities ahead. It was encouraging to hear such a strong focus on collaboration, workforce development, and the evolving role of social care.
Beyond the sessions, one of the most valuable aspects of the event was the opportunity to connect with people. Conversations flowed constantly, with professionals and experts from across the sector sharing experiences, ideas, and a genuine passion for improving care. These informal exchanges often felt just as impactful as the scheduled talks, reinforcing how important it is to create spaces where people can come together and learn from one another.
Spending time in the Social Care Nursing Lounge, with sector colleagues was another highlight. It provided a platform to showcase the vital and diverse role of Social Care and Social Care Nursing, while also listening to the perspectives of others working on the front line and in the sector. There was a real sense of energy and commitment throughout, which was both motivating and reassuring.
Of course, events like this don’t come without their physical toll, sore feet and a slightly croaky voice are small reminders of two full days of engagement, but they are more than outweighed by the sense of progress and shared purpose.
As the event wraps up, attention already turns to the next opportunity to continue these conversations. Birmingham later this year promises another chance to reconnect, build on what’s been shared, and keep driving the sector forward.
For now, it’s a moment to reflect and to appreciate the people, ideas, and momentum that make events like the London Care Show so valuable.
t was fantastic to spend 2 days at the London Excel Care Show representing SCNACS and seeing the reaction from people who feel they have found a supportive community that can drive change within the social care sector. Together we can do so much more and our partnerships with others are positively powerful
