A focus on improving clients’ lives, training and technology earned the judges’ praise
Home care company Walfinch’s commitment to raising standards in care has won it the Day Care Expertise Award at the Home Care Awards 2025.
The Home Care Awards, run by the Homecare Association, seek out examples of the expertise of companies providing home care in the UK and praise the teams that are making a difference by looking to raise standards.
Commenting on the award, Walfinch CEO Amrit Dhaliwal said: “This is a huge tribute to all of our carers, who go the extra mile every day to offer not just physical care to our clients but also social and emotional care to ensure their wellbeing.
“We believe that day care expertise is based on attitude, training and technology. Walfinch has pioneered the idea of improving clients’ lives by making care a Time To Thrive.”
In practice, this means offering activity sessions run by Walfinch’s care branches nationwide. They are rolling out free Thrive Sessions such as chair yoga, arts and crafts, and fitness classes tailored to each client’s abilities and goals.
Neither is cultural engagement neglected. Walfinch Harrow & Brent arranges cultural days at a local community centre, where activities have included Gujarati dance, and Walfinch East Barnet celebrated Eid by giving carers of all faiths an Eid gift.
“Our Time to Thrive activities are also open to people in local communities, so clients and others get the physical, mental and social benefits that come from activity and meeting new people,” said Amrit. “Our carers usually join in the activities too.”
The Day Care Expertise Award recognises the skills of Walfinch’s carers, who complete 15 basic training modules, plus a further 26 on specialist topics, and get access to 80 more modules to further their careers. Walfinch franchisees support carers’ careers. For instance, franchisee Greg Renk funded carer Sian, who left school without qualifications, through the Lead Practitioner in Adult Social Care course – equivalent to the first year of a bachelor’s degree – including paid study time.
Walfinch also champions its carers, with a care leaders award, carer of the month, and carer birthday cards all helping to increase carer retention, which is 57% across the whole Walfinch network, compared to 35% across the industry. Higher retention means more sustainable care for clients. Additionally, Walfinch promotes diversity – 31% of Walfinch carers and franchisees are BAME, and this more diverse workforce, it notes, translates to better care for a wider range of people.
Technology is used to reduce paperwork for franchisees and ensure that procedures, medications and wellbeing notes are recorded accurately, saving time for carers and helping ensure compliance. Birdie, a technology to measure clients’ health and wellbeing, alerts carers instantly if something is not normal so they can take action.
Amrit said: “This is a huge achievement for our whole team, and we are especially proud to win in the Home Care Awards, as they are run in association with the Homecare Association. Congratulations to all the winners – continuing to raise the standard of home care benefits the industry, our clients, and society as a whole.”