Professor Catherine Needham and Dr. Emily Burn (Centre for Care, University of Birmingham) update us on the progress so far in their cross-cutting research theme at the Centre for Care, which looks at what makes social care a complex, adaptive ecosystem and how understanding this help improve care outcomes for all.

They reflect on their previous research with the Local Government Information Unit on Scotland’s proposed National Care Service, we get an overview on what a Care Ecosystem is, and we hear about future plans for the research theme as they continue to "watch the ripples" with our other teams.

The images discussed in this episode of a 'Flourishing Care Ecosystem' can be found on the 'Care as a Complex, Adaptive Ecosystem' research theme page here: https://centreforcare.ac.uk/topics/care-as-a-complex-adaptive-ecosystem/

Read about Catherine and Emily's work with the Local Government Information Unit here: https://centreforcare.ac.uk/commentary/2025/01/developing-a-national-care-service/

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Learn more about our research on the Centre for Care website here: https://centreforcare.ac.uk/

The CARE MATTERS Podcast is produced by Dan Williamson at the Centre for Care and CIRCLE.

---Intro/outro music: Music: https://www.purple-planet.com is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

This episode critically examines the role of language in qualitative research, particularly when working with older, ethnic minority, and refugee populations in the UK, moving beyond standard translation to explore power dynamics, identity, and challenges methodological assumptions. 

Jay and Rashida take a comprehensive look at their full research process, providing hints, considerations and practical steps for linguistically Inclusive co-production along the way- an episode not to be missed for researchers working with communities that speak different languages, and for communities that work with researchers!

Rashida is a researcher interested in people's everyday experiences. She has a PhD from the University of Manchester where she has looked at experiences of race, religion and gender for Muslim women.

Rashida is interested in people's stories of their daily lives, how they connect to others, the places they live and work in and the way they experience feelings of belonging across time and place. 

Click here to learn about the 'Ethnicity and Unequal Ageing' project, in which participants share their stories for more inclusive ageing in Rotherham and Sheffield.

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Learn more about our research on the Centre for Care website here: https://centreforcare.ac.uk/

The CARE MATTERS Podcast is produced by Dan Williamson at the Centre for Care.

---Intro/outro music: Music: https://www.purple-planet.com is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

This powerful conversation between PhD student Millie Hind (Centre for Care) and Patricia Chinyoka, founder of Women of Zimbabwe, has spotlighted the harrowing challenges faced by migrant careworkers — particularly single mothers — trying to bring with their children to the UK. The discussion, part of an ongoing research collaboration, shares the story behind Women of Zimbabwe, a grassroots organisation that has grown rapidly since its founding in 2023. 

In March 2024, the UK government amended the Health and Care Worker visa route, removing the right for new applicants to bring dependants. However, many migrants who arrived before the policy change — particularly under the 2022 and 2023 schemes — were initially granted this right. Despite this, Patricia says hundreds of these parents remain separated from their children, often facing complex, prolonged, and inconsistent visa processes.

Action for Southern Africa: All Families Matter report: https://actsa.org/new-report-all-families-matter-uncovering-injustice-and-discrimination-in-the-uk-visa-and-immigration-system/

CIRCLE and the Centre for Care have been contributing to the conversation on the challenges faced by migrant careworkers coming to the UK, in particular the policy changes this video explores. In two previous commentaries, Majella Kilkey and Jaynathi Lingham discuss the policy before (“Taking back control of our borders”. It’s the dependants stupid!– 2023) and after it’s implementation (Closing off social care jobs to migrant workers will only harm a sector that’s already in crisis– 2025). 

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Learn more about our research on the Centre for Care website here: https://centreforcare.ac.uk/

The CARE MATTERS Podcast is produced by Dan Williamson at the Centre for Care.

---Intro/outro music: Music: https://www.purple-planet.com is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

In this episode of How Language Matters, Professor Majella Kilkey (Centre for Care, University of Sheffield) speaks with Bryony Shannon, author of the popular ‘Rewriting social care’ blog and book ‘Rewriting social care: challenging and changing language and practice for a better, brighter future’. Bryony has almost 20 years experience in adult social care information, communications and practice development.

Drawing on Bryony's wealth of experience in communicating social care, they discuss:

Also in this episode- find out what a 'Coproduction sandwich' is!

The conversation is a crucial listen for anyone in and around the social care sector.

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Learn more about our research on the Centre for Care website here: https://centreforcare.ac.uk/

The CARE MATTERS Podcast is produced by Dan Williamson at the Centre for Care.

---Intro/outro music: Music: https://www.purple-planet.com is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

How Language Matters in Transnational Care: A Conversation with Professor Loretta Baldassar

In this episode of the Care Matters podcast mini-series How Language Matters, Dr Jayanthi Lingham (Centre for Care, University of Sheffield) speaks with Professor Loretta Baldassar (Edith Cowan University, Australia) about the critical—but often overlooked—role of language in shaping care experiences among ageing migrant populations.

Drawing on comparative insights from Australia and the UK, the episode delves into:

The conversation is a vital listen for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers working at the intersection of migration, ageing, and care.

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Learn more about our research on the Centre for Care website here: https://centreforcare.ac.uk/

The CARE MATTERS Podcast is produced by Dan Williamson at the Centre for Care.

---Intro/outro music: Music: https://www.purple-planet.com is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

Welcome to a new mini-series from the CARE MATTERS podcast!

In this introductory episode of the Care Matters podcast mini-series, How Language Matters, researchers Professor Majella Kilkey and Jayanthi Lingham explore the powerful role of language in care research, communication, and practice. Drawing from their work on the Borders in Care project, they reflect on how terms like “unpaid carer” or “informal care” may reflect—or obscure—people’s lived experiences.

They look at the key questions and themes which will frame the mini-series, such as:

The episode, shaped through collaboration with the Centre for Care Voice Forum, sets the stage for further conversations in the series that challenge how we talk about care—and why that matters.

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Learn more about our research on the Centre for Care website here: https://centreforcare.ac.uk/

The CARE MATTERS Podcast is produced by Dan Williamson at the Centre for Care.

---Intro/outro music: Music: https://www.purple-planet.com is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

By the Centre for Care and IMPACT

Host: Laura Griffith, Deputy Head of National Embedding, IMPACT

Guests:

• Paul Rooney- Professional Adviser, Northern Ireland Social Care Council

This episode continues on the topic of ‘values-based recruitment’ in adult social care. 

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Learn more about our research on the Centre for Care website here: https://centreforcare.ac.uk/

The CARE MATTERS Podcast is produced by Dan Williamson at the Centre for Care.

---Intro/outro music: Music: https://www.purple-planet.com is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

Host: Laura Griffith, Deputy Head of National Embedding, IMPACT

Guests:

• Paul Rooney- Professional Adviser, Northern Ireland Social Care Council

This episode focuses on the topic of ‘values-based recruitment’ in adult social care. In the context of adult social care, values-based recruitment is a relatively new term. It’s been used in retail and the health sector for some time, and essentially means working with people who align with the organisation’s or employer’s values, rather than focusing purely on skills, qualification or prior experience. At the centre of values-based recruitment is the idea that while skills can be learned, values cannot be easily taught but are essential to providing good care and support.

We are delighted to release the recording of our live podcast event, held at the University of Sheffield as part of the Economic and Social Research Council's Festival of Social Sciences. The event is a collaboration between the Centre for Care and the University of Sheffield Digital Society Network, Digital Inclusion and Ethics Hub.

Hosted by Dr Kate Hamblin (Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Care, IMPACT), this episode looks specifically at care and technology. Our guests discuss the kinds of devices used in care arrangements and relationships, but also the increasingly ‘online’ digital provision of care services. Our panellists also share their expertise on the reality of technology and care now and where they think it might go in the near future.

Kate was thrilled to be joined by;

• Caroline Waugh, member of Think Local Act Personal’s National Co-production Advisory Group and co-creator of Cycling 4 All in Sheffield,

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Learn more about our research on the Centre for Care website here: https://centreforcare.ac.uk/

This episode of the CARE MATTERS Podcast was produced by Kitty Turner and the event was coordinated by Rachael Black, Kate Hamblin and Dan Williamson at the Centre for Care.

---Intro/outro music: Music: https://www.purple-planet.com is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

What is Values-based recruitment in Adult Social Care? Why is it important? Could it help to reduce the number of vacancies in the sector?

In part one of this episode Dr Kate Hamblin speaks with care sector employers about how they recruit, focussing on how values-based recruitment can lead to better retention and positive, person-centred care.

We are pleased to welcome special guests Anne Pridmore (CEO, Being the Boss), Dave Beesley (Talent Director, Cohesion Recruitment) and Jo Parsons (Co-production Manager, Drive) to discuss their experiences of recruiting employees in social care settings.

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Learn more about our research on the Centre for Care website here: https://centreforcare.ac.uk/

The CARE MATTERS Podcast is produced by Dan Williamson at the Centre for Care.

---Intro/outro music: Music: https://www.purple-planet.com is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0