On 23 April 2025 I had the absolute pleasure of welcoming members to our RCN North West Independent Health and Social Care (IHSC) Conference at The Living Well Café in St Helens, a beautiful community venue owned by Willowbrook Hospice.

With our theme, Research in Independent Health and Social Care Settings, we came together to explore how research can shape care, influence workforce development, and support innovation across our diverse sector.

As the RCN’s Lead Nurse for IHSC in the North West, it was an honour to open the event and speak about how research can support us in delivering compassionate, evidence-informed care across independent settings.

Hosted with Heart – Thank You, Dr Michelle Howarth

After my welcome, the day was hosted by the brilliant Dr Michelle Howarth, Professor in Health and Social Care at Edge Hill University. With her thoughtful facilitation and deep commitment to person-centred approaches, Michelle set the tone for a day rooted in connection, reflection, and shared purpose.

Wisdom and Warmth – A Message from Lynda Finney

We were honoured to hear from Lynda Finney, Executive Director at Willowbrook Hospice. With her wealth of experience in palliative and end-of-life care, Lynda gave a powerful reflection on the values that underpin hospice work and the importance of research in shaping compassionate, person-centred services.

Lynda introduced a deeply moving video about the work of Willowbrook Hospice. It was a moment that touched everyone in the room, reminding us all of the profound impact of care delivered with kindness, respect, and dignity.

Watch the video here: Willowbrook Hospice – YouTube

Spotlight on Research and Practice

Dr Melanie Stephens led a session on The Importance of Research in Independent Health and Social Care, offering practical examples of studies that have directly improved services and supported workforce development in the independent sector. Melanie’s session reinforced why nurses in all settings should feel empowered to contribute to and use research.

We also welcomed Dr Zena Aldridge, Social Care Nurse Fellow, who shared her professional journey and highlighted current research opportunities that are shaping the future of nursing in social care. Zena spoke with honesty, insight, and warmth about the real-world challenges of embedding research in frontline care, and how we can support one another in doing so.

New Research Opportunities for Nurses in Social Care

As part of Zena’s session, two exciting new national opportunities were shared, designed to help nurses grow their research skills and create a research-friendly culture in their workplaces:

• Social Care Nurse Research Internships – 12 places available
• Social Care Nurse Research Champions – 24 places availableBoth initiatives offer funding for nurses to work on research one day a week for a year. Whether you’re new to research or already developing your confidence, these are brilliant pathways to explore, connect, and lead.

Celebrating Nursing Leadership

We were honoured to hear from Professor Deborah Sturdy CBE, Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, who spoke with clarity and passion about the vital role of nurses in shaping the future of care. Her keynote focused on the importance of leadership, collaboration, and building confidence in the workforce, reminding us that we are not just delivering care, but leading innovation in how care is provided.

Lena Johnson and Katharina Simkiss followed with a joint session on Nursing Workforce Standards and Implementing Best Practice. Katharina’s lived
experience in a care home setting brought Lena’s policy and standards framework to life, making it tangible and relevant for all in the room.

Morning Reflections – Patricia Marquis

We were especially pleased to be joined on the day by Patricia Marquis, RCN Director for England. Drawing on the RCN 5 year plan and her extensive experience in nursing leadership, Patricia offered warm and thoughtful closing reflections, noting how valuable it is to see independent sector professionals come together with such purpose and positivity. Patricia celebrated the depth of learning, the open and honest conversations, and the sense of collective momentum in advancing research and leadership in social care. 

Showcasing Support, Growth, and Professional Development

We also heard from Lucy Tomlins and Alan Chalkley, who introduced the range of support available through the RCN’s Professional Services and Library Services. From structured learning support to research tools and development advice, their session reminded members just how many valuable resources are available to help build confidence and capability.

Claire Sutton, Head of IHSC, complemented this with compelling data and reflections on how the Lead Nurse team has positively influenced member engagement across the UK. Claire shared insights into how targeted, relationship-based engagement is helping to grow networks, amplify member voices, and support meaningful change within the independent sector.

Member Feedback

We were delighted to receive such positive and thoughtful anonymous feedback from members who attended the event. Your written reflections gave us real insight into what worked well and what you valued most throughout the day.

Some of the recurring comments included:

   “Friendly environment”
   “Perfect length for speakers”
   “A wealth of knowledge shared”
   “Amazing day”
   “Very informative”

Many members described feeling inspired, welcomed, and re-energised by the mix of topics and speakers. It’s clear the structure of the day, the accessibility of the content, and the space created for open discussion had a lasting impact. We were also really encouraged to see a wide range of suggestions for future topics 

My Reflections

Although I only introduced the day, I was fortunate to stay and learn alongside our members. I left feeling incredibly proud of the conversations taking place and the dedication shown by everyone in the room. Your passion, curiosity, and commitment to excellence are what make our IHSC community so strong.

Sincere thanks to our members and stakeholders, we simply wouldn’t be here without you. Your engagement, your passion, and your belief in the importance of independent health and social care inspire us every day. We remain committed to championing your sector and supporting you to lead, learn, and thrive.

Let’s keep the momentum going!