The National Care Forum (NCF) – the leading association for not-for-profit social care – is looking for budding innovators to apply for the 2025 Care Innovation Challenge, a creative competition which seeks to develop new solutions to the biggest challenges facing the care sector.
This will be the fourth time that NCF has run the Care Innovation Challenge, and the team is delighted to welcome two new partners, Nourish Care and HCR Law, whose involvement will add additional depth and value to the stellar lineup of mentors ready to support the Challenge participants. Together, they aim to develop innovative ideas to the challenges faced by people who draw on care and support, as well as those who work within the sector.
NCF CEO Vic Rayner said:
“We’re so pleased to have Nourish Care and HCR Law on board this year as sponsors and mentors to this exciting and unique entrepreneurial Challenge.
The value that our mentors bring to the Innovation Weekend and the support they give to our budding entrepreneurs and innovators throughout the whole process is second to none. Nourish Care and HCR Law will be welcome additions to our brilliant mentor team, bringing with them a whole range of new ideas, perspectives, and insights to help participants think bigger, broader, and more ambitiously about the solutions they can create.
We’re grateful again to the fantastic team at Coventry University’s Techno Centre for hosting this inspiring weekend of collaboration, co-design, and connection that could well birth yet another brilliant innovation for the social care sector – following in the footsteps of previous winners Tresacare and Ellyfe.”
Jamie Hibbard, Chief Technology Officer at Nourish Care, commented:
“After seeing the Care Innovation Challenge in action at the last two Care Shows in Birmingham and the passion people put into their ideas, I knew it was something our team at Nourish needed to get involved in.
We are always innovating in the sector and now have a way to help others innovate. Co-production is central to our design process here at Nourish, and the Care Innovation Challenge offers us the opportunity to extend that spirit of collaboration to some truly inspiring people and their inspired ideas for social care!
Personally, getting the chance to mentor one of the teams is something I’m really looking forward to. I understand both the technical and the commercial side of developing innovative ideas, and I’m very excited at the prospect of sharing my knowledge with bright minds who are energised by the potential of their vision.”
Charlotte Thornton-Smith, Healthcare Partner at HCR Law, added:
“HCR is delighted to be supporting the Care Innovation Challenge this year, which showcases creative solutions to the challenges facing the adult social care sector.
Technology and innovation play a vital role in the future of the sector, and it’s inspiring to work so closely with the innovators and problem-solvers making a real impact on the delivery of care. We’re really looking forward to mentoring candidates, exploring their products and services, and supporting the winner on their journey after the Care Challenge Weekend in June.”
Applications are now open. Individuals or teams can enter by visiting:
https://careinnovationhub.org.uk/challenge/
Deadline: 31st May 2025.
