Author: Tamia Nelson, Digital Communications Intern at NCF
It was great to attend the Care Sector’s Got Talent final last week with my NCF colleagues. The event was nothing short of spectacular. With a beautiful range of finalists, from singers to dancers and even a magician, the 2025 Care Sector’s Got Talent final was an afternoon to remember! At a time when the social care sector faces ever-changing challenges, this event was a true reminder of everything that those in social care work for and the talent that lies in this sector. The highlight of our afternoon was watching the well-deserved winner, Oladayo Ojekanmi. It was a pleasure to watch such a talented musician, and I am certainly proud to be part of such a vibrant sector! A few members of our team even managed to get a photo with him and fellow finalist Caleb Otobo during the interval!
Championing Social Care has once again shown their commitment to giving those in the social care sector a voice and the space to showcase their talents, shining a positive light on the sector. We have long been supporters of everything this amazing organisation does to bring the sector together, and our CEO Vic Rayner is a proud ambassador. We also look forward to taking part in this year’s Care Home Open Week too and will be encouraging our not-for-profit members to register their care homes and encourage residents, staff and communities to join in the week of celebrating all the great things about care!
It was great to also have the opportunity to promote the Care Innovation Challenge at CSGT2025, an event which equally shines a light on the amazing talent within our sector! The Challenge kicks off with the innovation weekender on 28th and 29th June and applications are now open! This will be a weekend of innovation, mentoring and creativity with the aim of positively impacting the adult social care sector for everyone who draws on care to live their lives. The Care Innovation Challenge is perfect for those with innovative minds and big ideas to unite with business leaders and experts by lived experience to collaboratively create solutions to solve the problems faced by people who draw on care and those who work in the sector. These solutions don’t have to be tech related; we welcome and nurture all ideas that are focused on bettering the adult social care sector through innovation. Experience in the social care sector or technical skills are not required as you’ll have the chance to connect with experts who can share their experience with you! This challenge unites people who are enthusiastic about improving the lives of care receivers and care givers in the UK and brings together a diverse set of people who want to make a difference in the adult social care sector.
As well as working with social care experts to help them shape and test their idea, participants will benefit from ongoing mentoring to help them flesh out their solutions and bring them to life.
Mentors include Think Local Act Personal, Care Tech Guide and Tresacare and this year we’re thrilled to be joined by Nourish and HCR Law who will also bring their expertise and coaching skills so participants can expect guidance from people with bags of experience. Some of the weekend’s activities include storyboarding, business planning and pitching to the judges- a wide spectrum of activities for participants and mentors to get stuck into!
Five teams will be selected to go through to the Challenge final which will be held at the Care Show in Birmingham in October 2025 as well as receiving £500 in funding and mentoring. The winners of the Challenge will receive a prize of £1000 and further mentoring to take their idea to the next level.
Last year’s winners, Ellyfe, won the 2024 Care Innovation Challenge on their third entry, a testament to their perseverance and hard work. They have developed a wearable app designed to monitor hydration levels in older people, something that will no doubt improve the wellbeing of all users. Speaking in an interview after their win, Ellyfe said “You will get the best mentoring here, you will learn a lot and be nourished. If you are looking for an opportunity to launch a care product, this is the platform”. Making the most of the challenge’s mentoring and networking opportunities, Ellyfe went on to test their device in care homes across the UK, received outstanding feedback and are now busy promoting their product.
The Care Innovation Challenge is an inclusive, accessible platform open to people aged 18 and over who are eager to improve the adult social care sector for everyone who draws on it and works in it. If you would like to take part and unite with social care innovators, this is the perfect opportunity for you so complete an application form here or send us an email at .ku.g1744906620ro.bu1744906620hnoit1744906620avonn1744906620ierac1744906620@olle1744906620h1744906620
So, thank you to the event organisers for inviting us along to a triumphant Care Sector’s Got Talent 2025. The love and passion for social care was felt in the room and it’s an event that we’ll cherish forever.
