Good Care Month – July 1, 2026

Good Care Month
Categories:
Tags:
AwarenessHealth
Where:
United Kingdom
Date change rule:
Every July
Holiday emoji:
💖

Good Care Month is observed every July, shining a light on the dedicated social care workers across the U.K. This month acknowledges their vital services for those in need and inspires new talent to consider social care as a rewarding career. Learn how you can support this essential sector, advocate for better resources, and celebrate these everyday heroes.

Want to sponsor Good Care Month? Learn how

Expected Good Care Month Deals

Good Care Month, being a cause-driven observance, focuses on advocacy and support rather than commercial deals. Organizations like the National Care Forum and Skills for Care often launch awareness campaigns, encouraging donations and volunteer sign-ups throughout July. Corporate partners, such as Bupa and Home Instead, may offer matched giving programs or special recognition events for care staff. Look for local community initiatives and fundraising drives by charities like Age UK. We will update this page with confirmed live campaigns as July approaches, directing support to the most impactful initiatives.

Platform Guide for Good Care Month

LinkedIn

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #GoodCareMonth. Highlight career opportunities and professional development in social care.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #GoodCareMonth. Share news, policy updates, and stories celebrating social care workers.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #GoodCareMonth. Engage local communities in discussions about care and support for workers.

Social Media Tips for Good Care Month

Individuals

Take time to thank a social care worker you know, or learn more about the sector's importance and consider volunteering.

Creators

Produce content that highlights the daily lives and challenges of social care workers, promoting empathy and understanding.

Brands

Partner with care organizations for donation drives, offer employee volunteer programs, or provide discounts for care professionals.

Organizations & Brands for Good Care Month

  1. Skills for Care

    Established in 2001, Skills for Care is the strategic workforce development and planning body for adult social care in England. They provide practical tools and support to help employers and staff deliver high-quality care.

  2. National Care Forum

    The National Care Forum (NCF) is a leading voice for not-for-profit care providers in the UK. Founded to champion quality care, they advocate for policies that support the social care sector and its workforce.

  3. Care England

    Care England is the leading representative body for independent social care services in England. They work to ensure a thriving, sustainable care sector that delivers high-quality care to all who need it.

  4. Bupa

    Founded in 1947, Bupa is an international healthcare group with a significant presence in the UK, offering health insurance, care homes, and health clinics. They are a major employer and provider within the care ecosystem.

  5. Home Instead

    Home Instead is a leading global provider of in-home care services for seniors, with numerous franchises across the UK. They focus on personalized care to help older adults live independently at home.

  6. Age UK

    Age UK is the country's largest charity dedicated to helping older people. Formed in 2009 from Age Concern and Help the Aged, they provide advice, support, and services to enhance later life.

  7. Cera Care

    Cera Care is a UK-based technology-enabled home care provider, founded in 2016. They use digital tools to improve the efficiency and quality of care, supporting both caregivers and those receiving care.

Good Care Month Hero

Dame Cicely Saunders

Dame Cicely Saunders (1918–2005) was a British nurse, social worker, and physician who spearheaded the modern hospice movement. She founded St Christopher's Hospice in London in 1967, emphasizing holistic care for the dying and profoundly influencing palliative care globally. Her work championed dignity and quality of life for those in their final stages, embodying the principles of good care.

History of Good Care Month

A social care worker’s job is to give practical and emotional support to a wide range of people. They work with individuals, families, and communities to assist them in improving their well-being so they can live a better quality of life. They may be employed in a home environment, nursing homes, or community centers. They can provide their services under the supervision of a case manager or social worker. Oftentimes they can partner with other health or social care professionals.

Some services that social care workers may look after are household tasks such as cooking, cleaning, or preparing meals. They assist with personal care like washing, dressing, and using the toilet. They may also offer short-term support to help people live independently, especially after an illness or injury. They can aid in organizing physical, social, and leisure activities, which are called daycare services. In some instances, they step in to do respite care, which allows an unpaid carer to take a break for an agreed amount of time. They can assist in looking after an individual’s health issues, or give them opportunities to socialize with other people.

Social care can change lives. It enables people to carry out tasks they otherwise won’t be able to do. Individuals are given the opportunity to live with dignity and as much independence as they can. Everyone is entitled to live life to the fullest and social care can enable them to do so. The need to serve others is considered more of a calling than a career to those involved in this profession. They deserve our appreciation not just for a month but all year round.

Good Care Month timeline

July 5, 1948
N.H.S. is founded

The National Health Service brings free healthcare to all U.K. residents.

2008
Caring for the care providers

Hertfordshire Care Providers Association or H.C.P.A. is created to improve the quality of care providers.

2019
Getting older, not better

Around 19% of the U.K. population is made up of people aged 65 and over.

2021
Finding someone who cares

Gillian Keegan is appointed Minister of State for Care and Mental Health.

July 2021
Bugsy MaGnome goes on tour

The H.C.P.A. mascot helps promote Good Care Month by visiting care homes.

Good Care Month FAQs

When is Good Care Month?

Good Care Month runs throughout July 2026, dedicated to celebrating social care workers and inspiring new talent in the U.K.

How many social care workers are there in the U.K.?

As of 2024, there are approximately 1.5 million people working in adult social care in England alone, with similar needs across the wider U.K.

What is the demand for social care in the U.K.?

Demand for social care in the U.K. is projected to rise significantly, driven by an aging population and increased life expectancy. By 2036, one in four people in the U.K. is expected to be over 65.

What is the difference between social care and healthcare?

While often interconnected, healthcare primarily focuses on medical treatment and curing illness, whereas social care provides practical support for daily living, well-being, and maintaining independence.

How to Observe Good Care Month

  1. Write a thank you card

    It’s always nice to hear that what you do is appreciated. A simple card or short note of thanks can make their hours of work feel worthwhile.

  2. Spring for snacks

    Pick the nearest social care facility near you. A care package of pastries, little cakes, or biscuits to go with their tea can be a pleasant pick-me-up and will fuel them until their next big meal.

  3. Send a singing telegram

    Lift their spirits with a song or two! Send an anonymous singing telegram to your neighborhood social care office. Tunes like ‘Here Comes The Sun’ by The Beatles, ‘Lean On Me’ by Bill Withers, and ‘God Only Knows’ by The Beach Boys put to melody how much we value these health workers.

5 Qualities Needed By A Social Care Worker

  1. Passion

    The desire to help those in need matters even more than the skills and training needed.

  2. Dedication

    Committing that each person under your care receives the best support and continuously improving yourself and the overall care experience is essential.

  3. Courage

    Making difficult decisions, supporting people during tough times, and voicing your concerns if something is being done unfairly all require courage.

  4. Sense of humor

    When clients go through challenges, both physically and mentally, bringing a smile to their faces can be the best medicine.

  5. Compassion

    Putting yourself in other people’s shoes enables you to treat others with empathy and patience.

Why Good Care Month is Important

  1. It gives back to the givers

    Social care workers, and health workers in general, are always used to giving of themselves. On this day, it’s our turn to give them the recognition they deserve.

  2. It familiarizes the public with the social care profession

    It takes a special kind of person to work in social care. This day highlights not just the skills but the heart needed to attend to the needs of the vulnerable.

  3. It reminds us of our humanity

    Humans are the only creatures capable of altruism or concern for the well-being of others. This day calls to mind that we have the unlimited capacity to care for each other.

Good Care Month dates

Year Date Day
2026 July 1 Wednesday
2027 July 1 Thursday
2028 July 1 Saturday
2029 July 1 Sunday
2030 July 1 Monday