York Woodford-Smith, Author at Five on a Bike

Is Your Care Home Marketing Working as Hard as It Should?

York Woodford-Smith — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 11:14:21 +0000

Take our free Care Sector Marketing Health Check and find out how you are doing with your care marketing.

In under 3 minutes, you’ll get a clear score, a breakdown of your strongest and weakest areas, and quick-win tips you can put into action today.

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The post Is Your Care Home Marketing Working as Hard as It Should? appeared first on Five on a Bike.

Caring Conversations @ The Care Show Birmingham – Oct 8th & 9th 2025 – Sponsored by Cornerstone Care Solutions

York Woodford-Smith — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 13:37:02 +0000

Care Show Birmingham NEC - 8th & 9th October 2025

Sponsered by Cornerstone Care Solutions

We’re bringing Caring Conversations to Birmingham next!

After the energy and success of London, we can’t wait to see what conversations unfold at the NEC. We’ll be back with our live-streaming setup, camera-ready to host thought leaders, care workers, suppliers, and anyone with a view on how we can shape a better care future.

We are proud to welcome Cornerstone Care Solutions as the sponsor of Caring Conversations.

Every good conversation needs a great supporter — and that’s where Cornerstone Care Solutions step in! These guys are like the superheroes of the care world: swooping in with experience, energy, and the know-how to help care homes shine.

From untangling tricky CQC bits to boosting everyday standards, they’ve spent over a decade helping homes turn challenges into real success stories. The best part? They do it with a smile, a friendly approach, and a genuine love for making care better.

We’re over the moon to have Cornerstone as the sponsor of Caring Conversations. With them by our side, we know the chat will be inspiring, supportive, and full of heart.

Book a slot for Caring Conversations below

Highlights from London 2025

Caring Conversations is now a staple of Care Shows

Caring Conversations has become a staple of Care Shows. We have created live streams and literally hundreds of videos

capturing the most inspiring voices from across the care sector. From CEOs and innovators to front-line carers and campaigners, we spoke to the people who shape and support the industry every day.

At Care Show London 2025, we took things to the next level.

What Did We Do at Care Show London?

We brought our Caring Conversations live studio right to the heart of the exhibition. Over two packed days (30th April – 1st May), we filmed more than 35 live interviews, streamed everything to YouTube in real time, and helped showcase some of the most exciting ideas in care.

We spoke to sector leaders, business owners, care home managers, campaigners, technology providers, and frontline workers. We covered everything from CQC reforms and staff wellbeing to financial sustainability and the future of social care.

The conversations were authentic, unscripted, and full of passion, providing not only amazing content for our guests to use on their own platforms but also a shared insight into the challenges and breakthroughs happening in the care world right now.

Our stand, F10, became a buzzing hub of activity and conversation throughout the event, and we loved every minute of it.

What is Caring Conversations?

Caring Conversations is a live streaming studio built into the Care Show floor, offering a chance for anyone working in or with the care sector to jump in front of the camera and share their thoughts on topics within care, in London 2025 we discussed;

Quality, Compliance & Regulation
Workforce, Development & Wellbeing
Funding
Business Management & Sustainability
Catering, Hydration & Nutrition

To take part all you need is passion and perspective.

Why Take Part?

There were loads of benefits for participants:

It was a fun and energising experience
The video content became powerful marketing and personal branding material
It was a chance to be part of something visible and influential
It helped break down barriers between people and roles in the sector
And yes—Lindor chocolates were involved*

What Happened to the Content?

Every conversation was live-streamed on YouTube, instantly available to watch and share. Since the show, we’ve been working closely with Care Show to release short clips, highlights, and feature pieces across social media, helping to amplify your voices and messages over the following six months.

If you joined us in London, your content is ready to download. Visit the Dropbox folder and look under Day 1 or Day 2 for your name. If you run into any issues, just email york@fiveonabike.com.

Thanks

York, Alex, Harper, Ben & Jack

The Five on a Bike Team

*Lindor Chocolate was available with or without interview.

Videos from past shows

The post Caring Conversations @ The Care Show Birmingham – Oct 8th & 9th 2025 – Sponsored by Cornerstone Care Solutions appeared first on Five on a Bike.

B2B Sales & Marketing in UK Health & Social Care: What Works for Us

York Woodford-Smith — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 08:34:34 +0000

How to Sell to the UK Health & Social Care Sector: What Really Works

By York Woodford-Smith

After more than a decade running a B2B company, we’ve learned a lot about what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to selling in complex markets. Over those years, we’ve built particular expertise in one of the most nuanced and challenging sectors: Health & Social Care.

From NHS hospitals to care homes, home care companies, local authorities and private care groups, we’ve worked hard to understand how to market and sell into these organisations and now we help other B2B companies do the same.

If you’re a supplier looking to grow in the care sector, here’s how we approach it.

First, A Reality Check

Let’s get this out of the way: we’re not the kind of company that promises you “guaranteed leads” because you know as well as we do that it’s nonsense.

Selling in the health and care sector means navigating:

Long and unpredictable sales cycles
Budget shifts
Decision-making committees
Procurement roadblocks
Constant change in roles and responsibilities

So why do we do it? Because with a valuable product or service, smart marketing, strong sales systems, and yes, a little luck It’s absolutely possible to grow in this space.

Our 7-Step Approach to Sales & Marketing in Care

Step 1: Understand Your Customer

Before anything else, you need to deeply understand:

Who your customers are
What motivates them
Why they buy from you (or don’t)
Where they go for information
What keeps them up at night

We start every project by working closely with your team to build a clear customer profile and ensure your sales and marketing strategy is built on solid foundations.

Step 2: Create a Clear Plan

We then work with you to develop a focused 12–18 month sales and marketing roadmap. It’s easy to get bogged down here, so we keep it agile and actionable, aligning marketing activity with your company’s growth goals.

Step 3: Build Awareness (Get Known)

People won’t buy from you if they don’t know you exist.

That’s why the first job of marketing is to build awareness and visibility in the right places. In this sector, we typically use tools like:

Strategic campaigns
Content creation (video, podcasts, photography, blogs)
LinkedIn & targeted social media
Search engine optimisation
Events (attending, sponsoring, exhibiting, or running your own)
Building referral partnerships

We also look at ways to use your team’s personality and credibility to stand out, because in a crowded sector, bland doesn’t cut through.

Step 4: Build Trust (and Likeability)

Once your prospects know who you are, they need to trust you before they’ll buy. That trust is built through:

Consistent email newsletters
Useful articles and resources
Regular event presence
Thoughtful partnerships

We help you create a strategy that keeps you front of mind while positioning you as helpful and credible.

Step 5: Streamline the Sales Process

When a prospect is ready to buy, your sales process needs to make that as easy as possible.

We help clients:

Define what a good lead looks like
Understand profit margins on different products or services
Simplify proposals and contracts
Use online tools for quoting and signing
Implement tracking and follow-up systems
Get a great CRM working for you

Understand how the buying process works within care organisations

Step 6: Get to a Final Answer

One of the most frustrating things in this sector is uncertainty. We help our clients:

Map out the organisation’s decision-making process
Stay in control of the sales journey
Know when to push, and when to move on

Always aim to get a clear “yes” or “no”

Step 7: Deliver Exceptionally

None of this matters if what you’re delivering isn’t excellent.

Over the years, we’ve seen companies force prospects through sales and marketing funnels only to struggle post-sale. That’s why we only work with companies who are genuinely delivering value.

When your product or service is strong, you attract the right customers, the kind who:

Appreciate what you do
Make decisions quickly
Don’t nit-pick every detail
And become advocates for your work

Who We Work Best With

We work with a wide range of B2B suppliers in the Health & Social Care market.

You’re likely a good fit if:

You sell to organisations that care, from beds to tech
You have 5–20 team members and are ready to take growth seriously
You want a partner to help shape your long-term sales and marketing strategy
Or, you’re a larger company (20+ employees) looking for specific services like video production
You’re entering the UK market and need sector-specific insight
You attend events like UK Care Week, Care Show London & Birmingham, Care Roadshows or LaingBuisson conferences

Lets Talk

If this sounds like your business, we’d love to speak with you. No pressure, no hard sell, just a genuine conversation about whether we might be a good fit.

Drop me an email or
Connect with me on LinkedIn: York Woodford-Smith

The post B2B Sales & Marketing in UK Health & Social Care: What Works for Us appeared first on Five on a Bike.

Why your care business needs video right now!

York Woodford-Smith — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 11:33:54 +0000

Care Seekers and the people receiving care from you expect a certain level of transparency. They are researching you online, reading reviews, looking at your website, your social media, and trying to get a feeling for your organisation before making an enquiry.

They are probably very stressed and are being forced by circumstances into making a decision they do not want to have to make.

Video content is a key element for people when selecting care for their loved ones. Whether this be home care, care homes, or any other type of care setting, video is so important to connect with the potential clients and care seekers, explaining what you offer, and building the trust they need to make contact.

It is highly unlikely that someone will only look at one care home or home care company when researching and your competition either already has video, which means you need to catch up, or they don’t, which means you can create a competitive advantage.

Purchasing care is not a simple process, it’s highly complex and emotionally charged. The general public knows very little about care and often perceives it to be too expensive, and that the quality of the settings and/or the care will be poor at best.

Video can help educate, explain the process, showcase what facilities or levels of care you have, how they can interact with you, and why they should trust you to look after their loved one.

As a new generation of care seekers (Millennials) enter the market, who are much more likely to interact with your brand online before making contact, having your digital shop front on point is crucial.

You need to provide that weight of evidence to encourage them to enquire further. For example:

Website
Google Business
Reviews
Photos
Videos
CQC Rating & Supporting Info
Food Hygiene Rating
Team Profiles
Social Media
Open Score
Carehome.co.uk rating

Now is the the time to create video content to make your care organisation’s digital presence stand out

So how can we help?

At Five on a Bike we have dedicated ourselves to the care sector and we have filmed with hundreds of care settings all over the UK. Here are some of the brands with work:

There are several different types of videos you can make for your care home or home care company, such as:

Welcome / About Us
Meet The Team
Resident / Customers Feedback
Resident / Customers Stories
Things you do / events/activities
Our Facilities / Our Care Packages
Social media content

Whether you are part of a large group, or a single home, we would suggest thinking about each individual location in regards to that list above.

Video should be front and centre on your website, on screens inside your homes/office reception, and as part of digital campaigns such as Google Pay Per Click, SEO, social media adverts, and local digital & print adverts.

How much does it cost to create a video?

Well depending on what you need video can be low cost or higher cost. A bit of a vague response I know! When we speak to new clients we will generally say our standard projects cost on average £3500+VAT. This typically includes a day of filming with a Producer and Director, 1x 2-3 minute main video, and 3x 30-60 second social versions of that video.

Video lasts a long time and the more you make, the cheaper it becomes. This is because previously filmed footage can be reused for multiple future edits, saving on filming day costs. It also works 24/7, 365 as a way of connecting and building trust with potential clients online.

Isn’t video hard to make?

Yes, a fantastic video is not easy. However, we have been making videos for care homes and home care organisations for nearly 10 years now, so we have the process down! We will guide you through the process, holding your hand as much as you need, making sure you get the best results possible. We understand the pressures and intricacy of delivering care, and we know how important it is to keep everything running smoothly, so we make sure that the care comes first and the filming comes second.

What happens if I don’t like it?

We will keep working on your video until you are happy.

The post Why your care business needs video right now! appeared first on Five on a Bike.

UK Care Week – Positivity Project 2025

York Woodford-Smith — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 12:40:01 +0000

Sponsors Needed

The positivity project is a collaboration between UK Care Week & Five on a Bike. The care sector is often seen in a negative light and it is our mission at Five on a Bike to help change this.

Day in Day out we make content that reflects the good work the care sector does and we want to continue this work at UK Care week in 2025. Last year we filmed a series of interviews with people from the care sector telling their positive stories, but this year we want to go further.

Disrupting the Narrative

We want to take our original concept of the Positivity Project to the next level.

We want to invite people/organisations in care to submit amazing stories of positive work they have done. These will be put together into a short film, which will be premiered at UK Care Week, the audience will vote on their favourite story and then the Five on a Bike team will make a dedicated short film about this person/organisation.

We would like this film to be so impactful that we can enter it for short film awards and to other media platforms to spread the word about the good work we do.

So why do we need a sponsor?

Five on a bike is a small team of dedicated professions creating video content and as a small team it is hard for us to fit in pro-bono work like this.

So we would like a company to partner with us to help cover the cost of the production, the time, the travel and other expenses. We would also like to offer a cash prize to incentify people to submit their stories.

How much is a sponsorship package?

We are looking to generate £6000 of sponsorship, this could be via one partner or several.

Why sponsor?

This would be ideal for a supplier attending UK Care Week or a Care Home Group

We have created over 50 pieces of content from the 2024 event of key influencers in the sector telling positive stories. This content is being posted out on LinkedIn & other platforms upto the show and beyond, we will give you up to 25 pieces of video content, you can take your pick, so you can post rich media on your social platforms, promoting your involvement in the show & project. UK Care Week & Five on a Bike will also be promoting your involvement in the project though there own posts.

Here is a link to the post below – HERE

You can create a dedicated landing page on your website for us to drive traffic towards which will hold the feature film

Your logo & company name will be attached to all media created, the short films will be opened with – sponsored by… and then again at the end of the film.

The film will be featured at the show, with your sponsorship made clear & Five on a Bike will also be attending the show, where we will make a 2 x 60 second videos of your involvement with the film & at the show.

It could also be a great way to engage with new and existing customers in a non-direct way, by sending them details of how to enter and then content about the films afterwards.

If you would like to arrange a time for a conversation about this, please message me on LinkedIn or email me york@fiveonabike.com to arrange a call.

The show is on the 19th & 20th of March so time is of the essence.

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The Value of Video for Care

York Woodford-Smith — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 14:23:00 +0000

Many things have changed in 2024 regarding marketing, but the fundamentals are still the same.

Let me take a few minutes to explain the value of using video for marketing your care services and how you might make the most of it.

Building Trust

A fundamental principle of marketing is about building trust. Video is one of the strongest ways (before speaking directly with potential customers) to connect and build that trust.

Our clients often mention that when prospective customers visit the services they will say, “oh I saw you in the video, I feel like I already know you” – that little interaction builds a huge amount of trust. Within your care setting your team is a key part of the marketing and sales process. Being able to see the people the prospective customers saw on your website and in your videos validates that all that information is real.

Weight of Evidence

When a prospective customer and or their family is looking into care, there is a lot of information for them to take in to help them with their decision. When someone identifies that they or a loved one needs care, their process begins with collecting evidence to help them make the best choice possible.

We all know ‘Word of Mouth’ is the way most care companies find new residents/clients to work with. Have you ever thought about what happens in this process?

Let me set the scene for you…

Kim is chatting with Julie. Kim is worried about Mum and is thinking about her care needs. Julie’s Dad went to this fantastic care home which she highly recommends. Later that day Kim goes online to do a bit of research before contacting the home.

What happens next will vary from person to person, but the impression they get needs to be a fantastic one or they might never get in touch. Whether they like a deep dive or just a quick look, they have to feel that the online presence matches the recommendation they got from their friend.

Imagine the same scene but with a physical shop. When Kim goes to the shop, if it looks really terrible, even if Julie said it was fantastic, she might not go in. Is your digital shop front up to scratch? Does your website work, look modern, and have REAL pictures, videos, reviews from your current clients, your CQC rating, and profiles of your team members? Does the experience online reflect the customer experience you provide?

Digital Shop Front

Sadly we live in a cynical world and believe it or not people do not believe everything they see online (yes, I know sometimes it seems that they do haha) which is why the majority of people visit a home or meet with you before choosing you. They want to check if what they have found out is true.

But for them to do that, you need to provide that weight of evidence to encourage them to enquire further. For example;

Website
Google Business
Reviews
Photos
Videos
CQC Rating & Supporting Info
Food Hygiene Rating
Team Profiles
Social Media

Empathetic Sales Process

So now you’ve built trust & provided all the evidence which makes the care seeker make contact! Well done!

Now, do you have a process which allows the time and space required to help people in their hour of need? If you cannot afford a full-time salesperson, find team members within your organisation that are empathic and can really listen to the person looking for care. It’s likely to be a pretty stressful time of their life, so having the time, space & experience to guide them through that will be really valuable.

Below is a video from Care Show London, where I spoke with Carl Roberts, Associate Sales & Marketing Director at Boutique Care Homes, about the importance of an empathetic sales process.

Boosts Across The Board

My last point is that video has a fantastic compound effect. They tend to last for ages (up to 5 years) and have impacts across your organisation, from team morale, to increasing enquiries & recruitment. Each of these areas will feel the impact of the video content you create.

Use video to Build Trust, Provide Evidence and make your digital shop front look fantastic in 2024.

Below is a preview of a webinar explaining in full detail our thoughts on this.

Contact us today to talk about taking your care services marketing to the next level!

The post The Value of Video for Care appeared first on Five on a Bike.

Care Home Video Content – Our Top Tips for Optimising

York Woodford-Smith — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 13:09:37 +0000

Our Top Tips for Optimising Your Video Content

As modern marketing professionals, you already know that video content is invaluable for engaging audiences and driving results. But are you truly leveraging its full potential across all your marketing channels?

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, it’s crucial to go beyond basic video strategies. To stay ahead, you need to explore every opportunity to integrate video into your website, social media, printed materials, and beyond.

Whether you’re enhancing your PPC campaigns, refining your email marketing, or optimising your digital billboard content, we’ve got you covered with insights that will elevate your video game to the next level.

Website

Display your video in a prominent position
- Displaying your video in a prominent position on your website is crucial for capturing visitors’ attention right away. Place it above the fold on your homepage or in other key sections where it’s impossible to miss. This ensures that your video is one of the first things users see, increasing the likelihood of engagement.
Use an eye-catching thumbnail
- Using an eye-catching thumbnail that entices viewers to click and watch is essential. The thumbnail should be visually appealing and give a clear idea of the video’s content, encouraging users to press play.
Use a recognisable video player (e.g. Youtube or Vimeo)
- Embed your video with a recognisable player, such as YouTube or Vimeo. These players not only offer a familiar user interface but also provide additional features like autoplay, resolution adjustment, and sharing options, making the viewing experience smoother and more engaging.

Socials

Customise the aspect ratio for each platform and post type
- When posting videos on social media, it’s important to customise the aspect ratio for each platform and post type to ensure optimal viewing. For example, a 9:16 ratio works perfectly for Instagram Reels, while a 1:1 ratio is ideal for Facebook and Instagram feeds.
Post your video directly to the platform (no redirection links here please!)
- Posting your video directly on the platform, rather than linking to an external site, can significantly increase engagement as social algorithms often favour native content. Most people also don’t want to be directed off the platform they’re on, so are more likely to watch if it’s available instantly on the platform.
Get your team to like, comment, and share
- To further boost visibility, get your team involved by liking, commenting, and sharing the video. This initial engagement can help trigger the algorithm to show your content to a wider audience.
Share in relevant groups
- Sharing the video in relevant groups where the target audience is active can also help extend its reach.
Engage with the comments
- Actively engaging with the comments by responding promptly and thoughtfully can foster a sense of community and encourage further interaction. Overtime, this can also encourage people to keep interacting with other content you post.
Tag relevant people or organisations
- Tagging relevant people or organisations in your posts can also help increase the video’s exposure, and credibility, by tapping into their networks.

Printed Materials

Link to videos with QR codes
- Incorporating QR codes into printed materials is an effective way to bridge the gap between offline and online marketing efforts. QR codes are versatile and can be placed on business cards, brochures, posters, and more, making it easy for potential customers to access your videos on the go.
Clearly state what the QR code leads to
- When using QR codes, make sure to clearly state what users will access when they scan the code, such as “Scan to watch: Meet our manager.” This transparency helps set expectations and increases the likelihood of users taking action.

PPC Campaigns

Make the first 5 seconds impactful
- For PPC campaigns, the first 5 seconds of your video are crucial. This is the moment when you need to grab the viewer’s attention and entice them to keep watching. Make sure these opening seconds are impactful, whether through a strong visual, an intriguing question, or a powerful statement.
Ensure the content is relevant and specific
- Relevance is key; ensure that the content is specific and directly addresses the needs or interests of your target audience, as well as, the message of the wider campaign.
Customise the aspect ratio for each platform and post type (e.g. 9:16 for Instagram Stories)
- Just like with social media, customise the aspect ratio for each platform and post type to ensure your video looks great wherever it appears.
Adjust edits for skippable vs. non-skippable ads
- Additionally, tailor your video edits based on whether the ad format is skippable or non-skippable. For skippable ads, front-load the most important information, while non-skippable ads can afford a more gradual build-up.

Emails

Use a thumbnail with a play button
- Including videos in your email campaigns can significantly boost engagement. Use a thumbnail with a play button overlay to encourage recipients to click through and watch. This visual cue makes it clear that the image is linked to a video.
Embed the video link on the thumbnail
- Embed the video link directly into the thumbnail to make the process seamless for your audience.
Include in your sales process (e.g., respond to email inquiries with a video)
- Videos can also be integrated into your sales process. For example, when responding to email inquiries, include a relevant video that addresses the customer’s question or provides additional information. This not only personalises the interaction but also leverages the power of video to communicate more effectively.

Care Referral Websites

Make sure it’s on there!
- If your business is listed on care referral websites, having a video on your profile can make you stand out from the crowd. Videos can offer potential clients a better understanding of your services, the quality of care you provide, and what makes your care service unique.

Events

Bring a screen (laptop, tablet, TV) and loop the video
- At events, bringing a screen—whether it’s a laptop, tablet, or TV—to display your video on a loop can be a great way to draw in attendees. This visual presentation can act as a conversation starter and help convey key messages even when you’re busy with other attendees.
Add subtitles for accessibility
- To make your video accessible to all, add subtitles. This ensures that your message is clear, even in noisy environments or for those who are hearing impaired.

TV Ads

Use Sky AdSmart for precise audience targeting and more cost effective advertising.
- Using services like Sky AdSmart allows you to target your audience more precisely, ensuring that you’re only paying for your advert to be shown to the right people at the right time. This means TV advertising can be cheaper than you think!
Already have an archive of footage for online videos? Save on production costs here too.
- If you already have a library of footage from your online videos, consider repurposing it for your TV ads. This not only saves time and money but also ensures consistency in your branding across different media.

Digital Billboards

Make it bold, but keep it simple – eye-catching motion graphics can be a great way to go here!
- When creating content for digital billboards, the key is to keep it bold yet simple. Given the short time span viewers typically have to absorb the information, eye-catching motion graphics can be highly effective. These graphics should be designed to convey your message quickly and clearly, ensuring that it resonates even with those who only have a few seconds to glance at the screen.

Contact us to find out more about how we can help produce video content for your sales, marketing or recruitment campaigns!

The post Care Home Video Content – Our Top Tips for Optimising appeared first on Five on a Bike.

Video and Care: Our Predictions for 2025

York Woodford-Smith — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 22:48:52 +0000

The predominance of video in the care sector has been understandably increasing over the last few years, and we expect this year will be no different. From marketing tools to innovations resident/patient entertainment, we can’t wait to see how creative new ways to use video emerge this year.

Here are some of our predictions and expectations for video in the care sector in 2025:

Short-form resident and patient case studies

Real-life testimonials from residents and patients have always been some of the strongest pieces of content we create here at Five on a Bike. In 2025 we expect to see a real shift towards short-form case studies and stories, focussing on people’s real lives and their experiences with their care providers. This content will lend perfectly to platforms like TikTok which, as we all know, is currently dominating the social media space.

Live streaming

Over the last few years, live streaming has become easier and easier. Today, anyone can go live from their handheld devices at the touch of a button. We expect care services to harness this in 2025, from livestreaming social events in care homes out to family and friends, to bringing the outside in to those who might be unable to leave their beds and homes using live streaming technology.

Videos to educate the public about care

In 2025, we expect to see much more educational content about care to appear on public social media platforms. This is a great, non-salesy, way for care providers to build public awareness of their company, whilst sharing information with the world on topics like how best to care for loved ones, signs and symptoms to keep an eye out for in older people, and when to take the step into professional care.

VR and AR

VR and AR are up-and-coming immersive experiences that are gradually becoming much more mainstream. We expect more care services to incorporate VR and AR activities into their daily schedules this year, as costs of VR equipment and software begin to trend downwards. Here at Five on a Bike, we would love to see more research on the influence of VR and AR on dementia and Alzheimer’s to be conducted in 2025 too.

We’re looking forward to seeing which of our predictions come true this year. Whatever happens, we know that video is going to have a big place in 2025, whether it’s in video marketing, video-based activities for residents and patients, or enhanced research into video and its effects. What are some of your predictions for the care sector in 2025?

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Leveraging Video to Boost CQC Ratings for UK Care Providers

York Woodford-Smith — Wed, 24 May 2023 10:17:13 +0000

In the ever-evolving landscape of health and social care, quality care and regulatory compliance are paramount for care providers in the UK. This blog explores how video can be effectively utilized to help UK care providers achieve higher Care Quality Commission (CQC) ratings, enhancing both resident satisfaction and overall care delivery.

Using Video for Staff Training and Development:

Video can play a vital role in training and developing care staff, enabling them to provide exceptional care consistently by seeing real-life examples of best practices. Video-based training materials can be easily accessed and reviewed by staff, any time, anywhere, which makes them much more convenient than in-person training.

The need for online training is absolutely growing in today’s world. In our work with Digital Social Care and the Department of Health and Social Care and talking to real providers across the care, we found that CQC generally values a care service that promotes digital training and practices across their business, of which video absolutely has a part to play.

Strengthening Resident Engagement and Family Communication with Video:

Video technology offers unique opportunities to enhance resident engagement and improve communication with their families. Live video streaming or recorded video messages can connect residents with loved ones who may not be able to visit in person. Virtual family meetings or consultations with healthcare professionals can be organized online, allowing families to participate actively in care planning and decision-making processes.

These initiatives contribute to a resident-centred care approach, positively impacting resident satisfaction and enabling care providers to demonstrate their commitment to person-centred care, which is an essential criterion in CQC assessments.

Evidence-based Audits and Continuous Improvement:

Videos can serve as valuable evidence of being well-led and providing outstanding care during CQC audits and inspections. By maintaining a library of video documentation showcasing exemplary care practices, providers can easily demonstrate adherence to regulations and best practices. We have experienced many of our care clients showing their CQC inspectors videos made across marketing, internal communications, and recruitment, showing real team members doing their jobs, to demonstrate a well-led business, often with fantastic impressions made on CQC.

Finally, showcasing your day-to-day care on camera fosters a culture of excellence within your organization, where team members know that only the absolute best practice will do. This leads to sustained improvements in care quality, resident safety, and ultimately, higher CQC ratings.

If you’d like to chat with us more about video’s role in your CQC inspections, get in touch today!

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Our Ethos When Working in Care Settings

York Woodford-Smith — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 09:26:22 +0000

When we start to work with new clients, we like to book a pre-production call to get to know them, and what they need on the day of filming. We make sure to create a well-planned and organised day, so things can run smoothly for everyone in the home. We also like to remind team members to let their residents know that we are coming ahead of time, as seeing people come in with lots of equipment may be a little scary and intimidating. Our intention is to build a personal relationship with the client, and not just a business relationship. We care deeply about the project and the outcome, but we also care about who we are working with and how we come across. We always strive to make the day enjoyable for staff, residents, and families.

How we Stay Flexible

Staying flexible while working in care is crucial, and we always take into consideration that lots of different people have different levels of mobility, as well as working with a lot of people who are in different stages of their dementia journey. This is something we have a lot of experience with and always try to remain aware of their different needs. When we’re set up we always stay mindful and make sure they feel as comfortable as possible. Our whole team is flexible and we are always happy to change the plan to whatever the residents or clients need.

Filming Interviews

Generally, being in front of the camera is very nerve-racking, and there are lots of different techniques we use, but overall, it all comes down to being nice and friendly to whoever we are interviewing. Whether they are a professional and do it often, or starting for the first time, talking to a camera can be uncomfortable, that’s why we prepare everyone in advance, tell them who will be there, and get to know them. When starting some people get right into it and some people take it sentence by sentence. We understand that cameras and people looking at you are very intimidating, just know we are patient and our team will never pressure you or make you feel uncomfortable!

Receiving Feedback

The best feedback we receive from clients is how genuinely friendly we are, and how we help them feel relaxed when filming. Our team goes above and beyond to make sure we are considerate of the environment, always respectful, and overall make the day as enjoyable as possible, for everybody in the home. When working with residents, vulnerable people, and even nervous members of staff, we always make sure they are comfortable. Most of our clients are amazed we are not intimidating people, in a highly sprung video production, wanting the best content. Our team is a group of friendly and genuinely caring people, that are committed to making everyone have a nice time and creating a good relationship with everyone in the home. If you like our help with your care home marketing, click here to find out more.

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