As the RCN Eastern lead nurse for independent health and social care, I recently had the honour of accompanying RCN President Bejoy Sebastian on a tour of social care providers in our region. One particularly meaningful visit was to Stowlangtoft Hall Nursing Home, a place that holds deep personal significance for me as it’s where my nursing journey first began.

Aged 18, I hadn’t planned to become a nurse. My goal was to be an architect, and I was working at the local council while studying at college. But when a friend started working as a nursing auxiliary, learning more than I was at the time, I joined her and lived in to provide split shifts working long hours. Financially, that was important for independence - and ironically it still is. More than four decades later, we find ourselves still in a nursing pay crisis, where those delivering vital care often struggle to receive the recognition and reward they deserve.

What began as a practical decision quickly turned into a lifelong passion. Encouraged by my first role model at Stowlangtoft, I pursued my nurse training and began what has now been a 41-year nursing career. Returning to the same setting now, operated by the award-winning Stow Healthcare, was a powerful and emotional experience. It reinforced just how much the social care sector has evolved.

Stow Healthcare, based in the East of England, operates eight residential and nursing homes across Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex. It provides care for up to 400 residents and employs over 600 staff. Known for transforming struggling homes, the company has earned multiple national awards, with four of its homes rated “outstanding” by the CQC.

The visit showcased the sector’s critical role in supporting wider health care systems. Through initiatives like virtual wards and early discharge support, Stow Healthcare helps alleviate hospital pressures while ensuring residents receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

Bejoy, reflecting on the visit, said: “I am deeply inspired by the kindness, expertise, and commitment demonstrated by the nurses at Stow Group. Their collaborative work with NHS partners, alongside their ability to translate evidence-based research into everyday nursing practice, stands as a shining example of how integrated care can transform outcomes for residents and communities alike.”

This visit was more than just a journey back to my roots, it was a reminder to me why I remain so passionate about championing nursing in social care. I’m committed to highlighting the essential leadership, clinical excellence and innovation our nurses provide, and advocating for the fair pay and recognition they so clearly deserve.