Celebrating Our First Award

What an unforgettable experience — we have returned from the Right at Home Annual Conference inspired, energised and incredibly proud to have brought home our first-ever award.

Michelle and Courtney had the privilege of representing Right at Home Salisbury & Andover at this year’s conference, which also marked a very special milestone: 15 years of Right at Home in the UK.

The event brought together franchise owners, care professionals and members of the National Office team from across the country. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the network, exchange ideas and reflect on the difference high-quality homecare makes to people and families every day.

The highlight for us was being named the winner of the RightStart Award.

Building a new care service is about far more than opening an office or delivering a set number of care hours. It is about creating the right culture from the very beginning — one founded on compassion, trust, respect and an unwavering commitment to quality.

The RightStart Award recognises the strength of the foundations we are building at Right at Home Salisbury & Andover. It reflects the hard work, resilience and determination of our entire team, as well as the family-led values at the heart of our service.

From the outset, our ambition has been to create a homecare service that genuinely goes above and beyond. That means taking the time to understand each Client as an individual, carefully matching them with the right Carers and supporting our team to deliver care with confidence, warmth and professionalism.

Winning this award is a wonderful reassurance that our approach is making an impact. Most importantly, it belongs to every member of our team. Their compassion, dedication and belief in what we are building are what bring our values to life each day.

The annual conference was also an invaluable opportunity to learn from other Right at Home owners and leaders, share experiences and explore new ideas that can help us strengthen our service.

We had so many thoughtful and insightful conversations about leadership, recruitment, team culture, innovation and the future of care. We returned to Salisbury and Andover with renewed energy and a host of ideas that we are excited to put into practice.

Being part of the Right at Home network is a genuine privilege. More than 30% of inspected Right at Home offices are rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission, demonstrating the network’s shared commitment to exceptional standards.

For us, however, quality is never simply a rating or an award. It is found in the everyday moments that matter: a familiar face arriving at the door, a reassuring conversation, help to regain confidence, or the peace of mind a family feels knowing that someone they love is safe and genuinely cared for.

Our commitment to the community extends beyond the care we provide in people’s homes.

The launch of The Community Sofa, our local podcast hosted by Courtney Hillman and Debs Sheldon, is one example of how we are working to make helpful information and support more accessible.

Through open conversations with local professionals, charities and community organisations, the podcast helps people discover services that could make a meaningful difference to their lives. It also gives a voice to the people and organisations doing remarkable work across Salisbury, Andover and the surrounding areas.

Although The Community Sofa is still at the beginning of its journey, we are already seeing its potential to bring people together, start important conversations and help local families feel less alone when seeking support.

Receiving the RightStart Award gave us a chance to pause and appreciate how far we have come. Establishing a new care service takes perseverance, teamwork and an enormous amount of heart. There have been challenges along the way, but each one has strengthened our resolve to build something truly special.

This award is not the end goal. It is encouragement to keep learning, keep improving and keep setting the standard higher.

We are immensely proud of our team and deeply grateful to our Clients and their families for placing their trust in us. We are also thankful to our colleagues across the Right at Home network, whose knowledge, generosity and shared passion for exceptional care continue to inspire us.

Our first award will always hold a very special place in our story — and we believe this is only the beginning.

Here’s to the next chapter for Right at Home Salisbury & Andover.