Hales Group has launched a new podcast aimed at bringing together different voices and perspective on the future of social care.
Let’s Talk Podcast will explore the issues shaping the sector, from workforce and funding to technology, prevention and reform.
The launch comes as social care returns to the national spotlight following the Prime Ministers recent speech and the Casey Commission’s public consultation, The Big Conversation on Care.
Hosted by Hales’ IT, AI and Systems Director, Mason Barendrecht, the podcast will feature care workers, sector leaders, partners and people with lived care experience.
The first episode features Hales Group Managing Director Nicola Mewse, who has more than 25 years’ experience leading teams, including in adult social care.
Nicola shared:
There is an important national conversation happening about the future of social care, and we want to contribute to it in a meaningful way.
The Casey Commission’s The Big Conversation on Care is an opportunity for people across the sector, and those who draw on care and support, to share their experiences and help shape what comes next.
Adult social care affects nearly all of us at some point in our lives, whether we need support ourselves, care for a loved one, or work in the sector. That is why it is so important that care workers, providers, families and people with lived experience are part of the discussion.
Through the podcast, we want to create a space for honest conversations, practical insight and different perspectives that can support a better, more sustainable future for care.
The first episode covers several themes raised in recent national conversations, including workforce recognition, funding, integration between health and social care and the role of homecare in supporting people to remain independent.
Nicola also highlights the important of recognising care work as skilled profession:
Care workers hold significant responsibility and bring a huge amount of skill, experience and compassion to their roles. As people’s needs become more complex, we need to make sure recognition is backed up by good training, clear career pathways, fair pay and greater contractual stability.
The episode also explores how technology could help create a more joined-up health and care system.
Mason said:
Technology has a major role to play in helping services communicate better and giving care teams the tools and information they need. Ultimately, it is helping people live longer, better lives in their own homes, but there is still a long way to go.
The Let’s Talk Podcast builds on Hales’ existing Let’s Talk Newsletter, creating more space for important conversations that help improve the future of care services.
Future episodes will feature a range of voices from across the sector and cover topics including how to arrange care, careers in care, technology, prevention, and the future of homecare.
The first episode is available now on YouTube and Spotify.
