My Home Life marks 20th birthday

Written by Amy Simpkins

My Home Life (MHL), which is part of the School of Health & Medical Sciences at City St George’s, University of London, welcomed guests from across the adult social care, health, and community sectors to the University in early July to reflect on the journey of My Home Life, look to the future, and celebrate the achievements of the last two decades.

The afternoon event: strengthening the strategic role of care providers

The afternoon began with an opening address from Sir Anthony Finkelstein CBE, President of City St George’s.

The President congratulated MHL on reaching its significant 20-year milestone, and expressed hope for what might be achieved over the next 20. He shared his personal experience of the importance of strong relationships within care homes, and between care services and the wider health and social care system, noting also that the recent merger between City, University of London and St George’s, University of London offers greater opportunity for the University to work alongside the wider system to help resolve the issues it faces.

Following this was an opportunity to draw on the wealth of expertise and experience of the guests, from care provider managers, to commissioners, academic researchers and charities, to consider what integration of care services could look like if anything was possible, and then to identify some realistic steps we could all take to help make that happen.

To set the scene, get people thinking, and provide some current examples of care services becoming central to a vision for integrated neighbourhoods, the MHL team heard from speakers including: Chris Lehmann, Director of ASC Strategy and Commissioning and Deputy DASS at Camden Council; Lydia Drummond, Assistant Director of Commissioning – Adults and Health, Newham Council; and Mark Foulds, Strategic Director, Care Providers’ Voice.

Guests identified a wide range of opportunities for integration of care services, with some core themes echoing those of MHL: building relationships, the importance of trust, ensuring opportunities for meaningful connections and communication, identifying and building on existing foundations that work well, being evidence-based and sharing things that have worked.

The drinks reception

Following the afternoon event, the Drinks Reception was officially opened by the President of City St George’s by cutting a celebratory cake.

More guests joined the MHL team to celebrate their big birthday, including colleagues from MHL Wales and MHL Northern Ireland, as well as MHL Charity.

Despite very warm temperatures, over 100 people joined the celebration across the day, with the room filled with inspiring conversations, and a shared vision from so many people who share MHL’s passion for championing the care sector.

The team were especially honoured to be joined by Sara Young, who was part of the very first MHL cohort, when she was a Registered Care Home Manager in Wiltshire.

In her moving speech, Sara said:

“When I started thinking back to 20 years ago, I expected to remember the programme, the learning or the resources, but that’s not what came to mind. I remembered the people… the feelings… and the effect My Home Life had on me.

“For the first time in my career, I found myself in a room full of people who simply got it. They understood the privilege of leading a care home, but they also understood the responsibility, the pressure, and, if I’m honest, the loneliness that sometimes comes with it.

“My Home Life gave us something that was incredibly precious – a safe space where we could be honest. Where we could celebrate our successes, admit our fears, share our frustrations and, occasionally, shed a few tears. There was no judgement. No one telling us what we should do.

“The best leaders don’t create followers – they create environments where other people can grow, flourish, and become leaders themselves.”

An address was also given by Des Kelly, Chair of MHL Charity, and Avnish Goyal CBE, Chair of Hallmark Foundation, the latter kindly supporting the drinks reception, as well as MHL’s 2024 landmark ‘Thriving in Residential Care’ research. Des reflected on just how radical the concept of promoting ‘quality of life’ in care seemed only 20 years ago when MHL began, and Avnish recounted how the stories of joy and transformation in the recent Thriving research had moved him to tears.

Sir Anthony Finkelstein CBE, President of City St George’s, University of London, said:

“This is a special moment, celebrating 20 years of improving quality of life in our vital care services. City St George’s, University of London is proud to support My Home Life, and its commitment to supporting care providers and putting relationships at the heart of care.

“This vision has inspired real change across the sector, and united an impressive community of passionate, dedicated individuals. Here’s to 20 more years of impact, success, and social purpose. Let us continue to build on My Home Life’s success, and create a lasting legacy of positive change in social care.”

Tom Owen, Director of My Home Life England, added:

“It was a privilege to see so many familiar faces at our joyful celebration and reflect on all the impact that has stemmed from a small conversation between the MHL founders 20 years ago.

“What began as a shared ambition to support the sector, has evolved into an ever-growing movement that continues to empower care leaders, improve care experiences, and nurture positive cultures and sustainable services at a time more crucial than ever.”

My Home Life recently launched a new impact report, celebrating the achievements of the My Home Life Partners across the UK and Australia over the past two decades, including that more than 3,700 care leaders have now completed an MHL programme. Read the report: https://myhomelife.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Celebrating-My-Home-Lifes-20-Year-Impact-2026-Report.pdf