A Guide to Community Engagement for Care Homes

Community connections can be a powerful tool for any care home, fostering goodwill, referrals and solid local relationships. Here is our Guide to Community Engagement for Care Homes in the UK.

This guide will help your Care Home establish and strengthen these connections, positioning your home as a trusted resource and a vital part of your community.

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Step 1: Identifying Key Local Groups and Influencers

There are many communities we can connect with, but these are the groups we feel are great for a Care Home to engage with…

Business Owners

Business owners are potential allies for your home. Establishing relationships with well-connected business owners can provide referrals and even sponsorships. Consider using your space to hold business networking events.

Healthcare Professionals

Local GPs, clinics, and private practitioners are trusted sources for families deciding on care. Regular visits or check-ins can build familiarity and encourage future referrals. How often are you talking with your local GP?

Legal & Financial Professionals

Solicitors and accountants frequently assist families in planning for care, making them ideal partners for recommendations and advice. Build a list of the local legal and accounting professionals, or pop into their office anytime and hand them a leaflet.

Local Authorities & Social Workers

Open communication with council representatives and social workers can lead to official referrals and enhance the home’s profile among council services. Whilst you may be tendering for any referrals/submissions from local authorities, keeping communication open with them makes sense. Remember, you want to be front of mind with your local authority if you rely on these types of residents.

Faith Leaders

Community figures like church leaders can spread the word to families within their congregations and offer a point of connection. They are trusted with their community. Offer goodwill. Can you help their Church in some way? A fundraiser? Sharing their social media posts?

Charities & Nonprofits

Adopting a local charity, such as one focused on elderly support or community welfare, can build goodwill (Aligning your home with a single charity each year and raising money through your own events for this charity is not only a good thing to do, but it will help your cause). Engage residents in charity events to create meaningful partnerships. Is there a local charity that needs some help?

Schools & Sports Teams

You are more than likely already holding events where local kids or nursery kids come to visit the home. Most residents love the company of younger folk—and vice versa! Cross-generational programs with local schools, youth organisations, and sports teams can bring joy to residents and foster long-lasting community bonds. Is there a school close to you that you can connect with?

Community Halls

Connecting with your local Village Hall, Community Centre, or even your local Pub can be a great way of interacting with an older generation who may be thinking of or know of someone who needs your support. Again, local Village Halls and Community centres always need support – How can you help them? A day of cleaning or volunteering? General advice or open mornings for those who want to ask questions about care? Show that you care about your local community – by caring! Your main service!

Step 2: Effective Outreach Tactics

You now know who you need to contact. How can you do that? Let’s try some of these.

Personalised Introductions

Draft thoughtful, personalised emails or written letters briefly introducing your home, its purpose, and what your home hopes to achieve in the community. Or, go old school and drop them a call. People love a personal call, especially if you’re reaching out to help them somehow. (possibly, think about how your branding looks before you email out? Are you proud of your care home website and logo?).

Event Invitations

Organise open days, coffee mornings, or “Meet the Team” events. These are great opportunities for local groups and individuals to visit the home and get to know the team and residents.

Social Media Connections

Connect with community figures and local businesses on platforms like Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn. Share highlights from community visits and showcase resident stories.

Networking Events

Host or sponsor informal business or community networking events that bring together local professionals, creating new connections and introduction opportunities. These are great opportunities to show off your home, the food quality and the space.

Step 3: Creating Impactful Communication

Brief, Inviting Messages

Keep communication friendly and concise. Focus on connecting and invite them to see the home firsthand.

Clear Call to Action

Encourage a simple next step, like scheduling a visit or joining an event. Emphasise the value of collaboration or visiting the home.

Providing Value in Every Interaction

Share specific ways that connecting with your home can benefit both parties, whether through referrals, partnerships, or community projects.

Step 4: Engaging Residents in Outreach

You’ve nailed your outreach, but now people are going to visit. How can you make this a wonderful experience for all? Make your residents and key team members a part of it!…

Resident Ambassadors

Choose residents who are enthusiastic about representing the home. They can welcome visitors, attend community events, or participate in programs with local groups.

Resident-Led Programs

Organise resident-led activities for visiting groups, such as a reading session with schoolchildren or a gardening project with local clubs.

Step 5: Tracking and Following Up

Documenting Engagement Efforts

Keep a log of outreach activities and notes from each engagement. This makes follow-ups easier and ensures no opportunities are missed. Perhaps record them in a free Google Sheet?

Evaluating Connections

Review which partnerships yield the most engagement or referrals. Prioritise efforts with those groups or individuals for future events and partnerships.

Maintaining Relationships

Plan annual events or follow-up messages to keep partnerships warm. Express gratitude for community support and invite them to special occasions. Your Activities Manager or Co-ordinator could help with these tasks day-to-day.

Conclusion – Community engagement for care homes

With these strategies, your Care Home can foster valuable, long-lasting relationships within your community. This outreach approach will create a welcoming environment where residents and locals alike feel connected, fostering goodwill and strengthening your home’s reputation as a supportive, trusted community member.