Adopt a Grandparent at Care Shop’s Leadership Summit: Michael’s story takes centre stage

In July, Adopt a Grandparent was invited to attend Care Shop’s Leadership Summit, a full-day event bringing together 150 specially invited delegates from across the care sector.

Our Head of Operations and Fundraising, David Annand, spoke alongside someone very special: his adopted grandparent, Michael.

Together, they shared their story with the room, talking about the friendship they have built through Adopt a Grandparent and what regular companionship can mean for someone living in a care home.

Michael was brilliant. Warm, honest and completely himself.

Care Shop made sure Michael could take part fully, arranging wheelchair access to the stage and accessible transport to and from his care home. Katie, Wellbeing Coordinator at Michael’s care home, came with him and supported him throughout the day.

After the event, Katie sent a message that really stayed with us.

She shared that Michael had told her, on the way home, that he teared up when the room applauded him at the end of the talk.

Katie added: “That’s something that doesn’t get recognised during any inspections.”

It is such a powerful point.

CQC inspections are vital. They look at safety, effectiveness, care, responsiveness and leadership, and play an essential role in holding services to account. But there are some moments in care that are harder to measure on paper.

A resident standing on a stage and being listened to. A room full of care leaders giving him their full attention. The pride of being applauded, recognised and valued for who he is.

Those moments matter too. They are part of what good care can feel like in real life, beyond reports, ratings and compliance evidence.

That is why partnerships like this mean so much to us.

Adopt a Grandparent works alongside care homes to create additional opportunities for residents to be heard, known and connected. Sometimes that happens through a weekly video call. Sometimes it grows into something much bigger, as it did for Michael.

The impact of the Summit has already been felt. Since David and Michael’s presentation, two new care groups have registered for the Adopt a Grandparent programme, helping us reach even more older people who could benefit from regular companionship.

The event also raised an incredible £2,073.50 for Adopt a Grandparent.

We are hugely grateful to Care Shop for giving us such a strong platform throughout the Summit, from including our Power of 250 leaflets in delegate goodie bags and supporting our stand, to showing our videos, raising funds through the evening raffle and making sure Michael could be part of the day properly.

Thank you to Michael for sharing his story so generously, to Katie for supporting him with such care, and to Michael’s care home for helping make the day possible.

Thank you also to everyone at the Summit who listened, donated, asked questions and gave Michael such a special reception.

This is what Adopt a Grandparent is here for: helping older people feel seen, heard and part of something.

Find out more about how Adopt a Grandparent can support residents in your care home through regular companionship video calls here: https://adoptagrandparent.org.uk/register-your-care-home.