Living Our Vincentian Values This Winter

At Vincentian Care Plus, our work is rooted in Vincentian values — compassion, dignity, service, and solidarity with those most in need. These values guide everything we do, especially during the winter months when many of the individuals we serve may feel the cold, isolation, and challenges of the season more deeply.
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For the past four years, VCP has provided festive meals to our service users at Christmas. These meals were never just about nourishment; they were about connection, presence, and ensuring that every individual felt valued and remembered.

Dignity, Warmth, and Care
While the Winter Warming Essentials provided physical warmth, they also carried a deeper message — one of dignity, compassion, and belonging. They symbolised our ongoing promise to respond to need with kindness, respect, and practical action.
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We are immensely proud of our carers for living out Vincentian values every day through their dedication and compassion. We also extend our thanks to everyone who contributed to making this initiative possible.
As we continue through the winter season, VCP remains committed to serving with heart, integrity, and faith in action — ensuring that our service users feel supported, respected, and cared for, not just at Christmas, but always.

We are thrilled to announce that Vincentian Care Plus has been named a finalist in two categories at the 2026 Home Care Awards! Following a remarkable two-year streak of awards, this recognition reflects our continued commitment to excellence in home care and our dedication to supporting the well-being of the people we serve and the teams who care for them.

The Home Care Awards celebrate outstanding achievement across the sector, recognising innovation, compassion, and exceptional service. This year, VCP has been selected as a finalist in the following categories:

• Recruitment, Retention, and Staff Motivation Expertise – recognising our ongoing efforts to attract, retain, and inspire our dedicated staff, ensuring they have the support and development opportunities to provide outstanding care.
• Team Support Expertise – celebrating our behind-the-scenes teams in our central office, IT, and operations who keep our organisation running smoothly, enhancing productivity, business effectiveness, and the overall customer experience.

A Message from Our Leadership
“We are honoured and incredibly proud to be named finalists in two categories at the 2026 Home Care Awards,” says Nashandé, Quality & Compliance Manager at VCP, “This recognition is a testament to the dedication, professionalism, and passion of our entire team. From the frontline carers to our support and operational staff, every member of VCP contributes to delivering the highest standard of care to our clients.”

Celebrating Excellence in Home Care
At Vincentian Care Plus, we believe that exceptional care goes beyond meeting physical needs - it’s about creating a supportive, empowering environment where customers can thrive and staff feel valued. Being named a finalist for both staff motivation and team support excellence demonstrates our commitment to nurturing a culture of care, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Looking Ahead
This exciting recognition motivates us to continue striving for excellence. Over the coming months, we will remain focused on enhancing our services, supporting our teams, and innovating in ways that improve both client and staff experiences. We are hopeful and excited to continue our success at the Home Care Awards in March 2026!

A Heartfelt Thank You
We want to extend our sincere gratitude to our incredible staff, clients, and their families for their trust, support, and dedication. This achievement belongs to all of you, and we look forward to building on this success together.

From our Chair, Glen von Malachowksi.

"As we enter 2026, it feels like an important moment to pause and reflect - not just on the year ahead, but on the wider changes reshaping how we think about ageing, care, and our role within it.

Over the past century, human lifespan has increased by almost 30 years. Medical advances have transformed outcomes for many of the diseases that once defined later life. Yet despite these gains, much of our care system still operates on assumptions shaped by a very different era - one in which decline, dependency, and crisis were seen as inevitable.

That mismatch is becoming increasingly clear.
 
I believe 2026 represents a perfect storm for change. Several powerful forces are now converging, creating both a challenge and an opportunity for providers like Vincentian Care Plus.
 
First, competition within the care sector is intensifying. Quality alone is no longer enough; providers are being asked to demonstrate outcomes, purpose, and impact in ways that go beyond hours delivered or tasks completed.
 
Second, consumer expectations are changing rapidly. Older people today are better informed, more vocal, and less willing to accept passive or paternalistic models of care. They want to remain independent, involved, and in control of their lives for as long as possible - and they expect services to support that ambition.
 
Third, we now have far greater medical and behavioural insight into what influences how people age. We understand the critical role of movement, strength, balance, hydration, nutrition, sleep, and everyday habits in maintaining function and confidence. Ageing is no longer something that simply “happens to us”; it is something that can be actively shaped.
 
Finally, there is a clear and growing government focus on prevention rather than cure. This shift is driven not only by policy thinking, but by necessity. Health and care systems cannot remain sustainable if support only begins once independence has already been lost.
 
Individually, each of these forces has been building for some time. Together, they act as a catalyst—prompting a fundamental rethink of what good care looks like.
 
For me, this moment calls for a shift in mindset:

• From episodic intervention to ongoing, preventative support
• From managing decline to preserving capability
• From doing things for people, to working with them
 
The defining question is no longer simply how we respond when needs escalate, but how we help people remain confident, capable, and connected for as long as possible.
 
At Vincentian Care Plus, we are well placed to engage with this challenge. Our values, our commitment to person-centred care, and our recognition of the vital role played by professional carers, all position us to contribute meaningfully to this next phase of care provision.
 
As Chair, my hope for 2026 is that we continue to question assumptions, embrace learning, and play our part in shaping services that reflect the reality of longer lives - and the dignity, purpose, and independence that people rightly expect to retain within them."

At Vincentian Care Plus, we often say that our carers are everyday heroes — and every now and then, the world gets to see it too.

Recently, a touching moment unfolded that has not only warmed our hearts but also captured the attention of thousands online. One of our dedicated carers, Edith, was simply doing what she always does — supporting our beloved service user Ms H with her shopping — when something extraordinary happened.

​You can watch the touching clip via our Instagram account here - give it a like and share the love!

​To Edith, thank you for being you.
To Ms H, thank you for your beautiful spirit.
To @jackjonestv123, thank you for showing the world what kindness looks like.

It's only by getting a diagnosis that people can access the care, support and treatment they need – but still one in three people living with dementia in the UK are doing so without a diagnosis.

The first step to an early and accurate diagnosis is making sure we all know the signs of dementia to be on the lookout for. This Dementia Action Week we’re standing with the Alzheimer’s Society, sharing information on common dementia symptoms to help make sure we all know the signs.

​You can play your part by sharing the symptoms checklist with anyone who might find it helpful.

For lots more information and resources, visit https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-involved/dementia-action-week - and you can find the symptom checklist here: http://alzheimers.org.uk/checklist

There is a wealth of evidence to show that spending time in green spaces is so important for both physical and mental health – and with the skies of winter giving way to the vibrant hues of spring, there's no better time to step outside.

Just 30 minutes a day spent outside is proven to boost happiness, reduce anxiety and help us sleep better – and this no less important as we age.

Levels of activity will differ for everyone, but we are committed to supporting our service-users to access time in nature in every way possible, no matter how small. From a gentle stroll to a quiet cup of tea in the garden.

3. Connecting with Nature
Spring is a season of renewal, and being outside allows us to witness the beauty of blossoming flowers, chirping birds, and budding trees. This connection with nature can be incredibly uplifting and provide a sense of peace and contentment.

4. Encouraging Social Interaction
Warmer weather provides more opportunities for social engagement, helping to reduce the social isolation that can become all too common as we age. From a walk or a sit in the park to a chat with a neighbour in the garden, it’s a really positive way to maintain and establish connections.

5. Increasing Vitamin D Levels
With more daylight hours, getting outside helps the body absorb vitamin D from sunlight, which is essential for bone health and immune function. Many older adults in the UK are at risk of vitamin D deficiency, making spring a crucial time to replenish those levels naturally.

​Step out there 🌸

​​For the second year running, Vincentian Care Plus has been recognised at the prestigious Home Care Awards, earning a High Commendation for Specialist Care Expertise for our pilot project in collaboration with Healthy 4 Longer.

Pioneering Specialist Care with Healthy 4 Longer
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The award commends our Specialist Care Expertise, specifically recognising the success of our pilot project with Healthy 4 Longer. This initiative was designed to enhance the quality of life for older adults by integrating manageable chair-based exercises into their care routines. 

​Together, we have demonstrated how specialist care can be transformative, offering tailored support that truly meets the individual needs of our service users.

​A Moment of Pride and Gratitude

Receiving this High Commendation for the second consecutive year reinforces our belief that compassionate, specialised care is the key to enhancing the lives of those we serve. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our exceptional carers, whose commitment and expertise make achievements like this possible. Their tireless efforts continue to uphold the highest standards of care, and this recognition is a reflection of their unwavering dedication.

We would also like to thank Healthy 4 Longer for their invaluable partnership in this project. Their support has been instrumental in bringing innovative care solutions to our community, and we look forward to further expanding our work together in the future.

​Looking Ahead

While we take a moment to celebrate this achievement, our journey towards excellence in care continues. We remain committed to pioneering new initiatives, improving our services, and ensuring that those who rely on VCP receive the best possible support.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey with us. Here’s to another year of making a difference in home care! For more updates on our work and future projects, stay connected with us via our website and social media channels.

What's it really like to become one of our carers?
Om joined us whilst studying computer science - and quickly realised he had found far more than a job.
We're very grateful to Om for sharing his story with us, and for becoming such an invaluable member of the VCP family. 

"My name is Om, and I am proud to be a member of the team at Vincentian Care Plus.
 
Originally from India, I arrived in the UK in September 2022 to pursue an MSc in Computer Science with a specialisation in Network Engineering. After settling in, I joined VCP in February 2023 as a carer, working part-time while balancing my studies.
 
Initially, my decision to join VCP was motivated by the need to secure financial stability to support my living expenses. However, as I began working closely with our Service Users, my perspective shifted significantly. What started as just a job quickly evolved into something much deeper.

The interview process went smoothly, and I was delighted to be promoted from a Carer to a Care Coordinator - a line manager responsible for overseeing a team of Carers and the management of Service User visits. Transitioning into this new role felt natural, thanks to the strong relationships and mutual respect I had cultivated with my colleagues in the field.
 
As a Care Coordinator, my primary focus has been on addressing the challenges I encountered as a Carer. I’ve worked tirelessly to improve processes, ensuring a better experience for both Carers and Service Users alike. This includes prioritising continuity of care, minimising disruptions, and managing weekend challenges such as travel time and resource allocation.

I am immensely grateful to the VCP team for their unwavering support and belief in my potential. This recognition has been a powerful motivator, inspiring me to strive for excellence in every task.

​My journey from Carer to Care Coordinator has been a deeply rewarding and transformative experience, and I am honoured to be part of a team that is truly dedicated to making a meaningful difference in people’s lives."

Already the impact is becoming clear.

Analysis of key medical and wellbeing indicators taken after the first two months of the project running, showed those service users who participated experienced zero incidents of falls, zero calls to their GP or 111, and zero visits to A&E.
It also showed their overall wellbeing - encompassing both physical and mental health - has been positively impacted, potentially contributing to improved cognitive function.
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“It’s an initiative we’re really proud to be piloting,” Cathy Naigow, VCP’s CEO & Registered Manager said.

“The programme has been particularly impactful for older adults and those with limited mobility, providing them with a tailored approach to physical activity that fits their needs.

“Healthy4Longer embodies VCP’s mission of proactive, person-centred care, creating brighter futures for our service users and reflecting our commitment to enhancing wellbeing, independence, and dignity for those we serve.” 

At the core of Healthy4Longer is a structured, progressive series of chair-based exercises delivered in-home, complemented by holistic support for sustainable healthy habits.

These include: integrating movement into everyday life, easy-to-implement tips for improving nutrient and protein intake, encouraging hydration for better overall health, and techniques to enhance sleep quality.

VCP was honoured to win a High Commendation at the Home Care Awards 2024 – for our work supporting people affected by homelessness at Edward Alsop Court in the London Borough of Westminster, where we are part of an integrated approach to support some of the most vulnerable people in society.

“We pour our hearts and souls into our work and it was an honour to be highly commended at such a prestigious event,” Cathy added.

“It was more than recognition, it was validation of our commitment to providing exceptional care to those in need, and we are beyond excited to be nominated again this year for an initiative which is already having such a profound impact.”

The winners will be announced at the 2025 Home Care Awards Ceremony, happening on 7th March!

With the unwavering commitment of our incredible team, we hand-delivered 115 meals to our service users just before Christmas. But these were not just meals. Each delivery was packed with so much more than food - there was love, warmth, and the knowledge that someone truly cared.

Alongside the meals, we included desserts, bottles of non-alcoholic bubbly, and festive socks to keep toes warm and hearts lighter. Each package was thoughtfully prepared, hand-delivered, and accompanied by warm smiles and a genuine sense of community.

As we reflect on another successful year of this initiative, I am filled with gratitude for our team and the privilege of serving our community. Together, we have not only delivered meals but also spread the true spirit of the season -kindness, compassion, and unity.

​​Here’s to continuing our mission of making a difference in the lives of those we serve, one thoughtful gesture at a time. From all of us at Vincentian Care Plus, thank you for letting us serve you and share in your lives.

​May your 2025 be filled with love, warmth, and many moments of connection."