Care Home Open Week 2026: Regional Perspectives
In this blog post, we sat down with regional members of our care team to understand why Care Home Open Week is important and why supporting it matters.
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Image: celebrating the launch of Care Home Open Week 2025
We are delighted to be sponsoring Care Home Open Week (CHOW) 2026, which runs from 15 to 21 June 2026. It is an annual nationwide campaign that connects care homes with their local communities and celebrates the work of care professionals.
Now in our fourth consecutive year as sponsors, we continue to support and highlight the importance of the care sector. With Martin Gould (Head of Brokerage - Care at Christie & Co) sitting on the Championing Social Care organising committee, we’re able to play a hands-on role in shaping and supporting the initiative. We spoke with our care team across the UK about what the event means to them.
Q: What stands out to you about the event and its impact in your area?
Scotland
“Care Home Open Week really stands out as a powerful way of strengthening the connection between care homes and the wider community. Each year, thousands of homes open their doors to showcase the warmth, daily life, and incredible work happening inside - something many people have never seen first-hand. This openness helps challenge outdated perceptions and shows families what modern care truly looks like.
“In Scotland, the impact is especially meaningful. With events, visits, and opportunities for people to meet residents and care teams, CHOW gives our communities the chance to understand the value of care, celebrate the dedication of staff, and support more informed decisions when a loved one needs care. The inclusion of national initiatives like the Great British Care Cycle Relay - which I participated in last year - brings additional visibility and a sense of pride. The smile on residents’ faces as they experienced something different in their day showed just how important it is to welcome the community in more often.”
Q: Why is CHOW valuable for care providers in your area?
The North of England
“Care Home Open Week highlights the importance of the social care sector in the local area and beyond. It allows families and external agencies to visit the home during CHOW and shows everyone what an important role each home plays and the impact it has on its residents. It is a really sociable week with coffee mornings, parties and craft activities taking place!”
Q: How can CHOW help the care sector?
Midlands & The North
“Care Home Open Week strengthens the care sector by opening care homes to the public, helping to break down misconceptions about care and showcasing the warm and vibrant communities within homes that often do not get the credit they deserve. It also deepens community connections, promotes the value of care careers, and boosts workforce pride through showcasing fun events within the homes. The week also encourages MP engagement, which generates positive media coverage, all of which enhances public understanding and support for the sector.”
Q: What can care homes do to get involved with CHOW?
London
“Care Home Open Week is designed to help care homes connect with their communities, showcase what life is like inside, and celebrate residents and care teams. The best way to get involved is to run an open day during the week, but care homes can also register to host events such as the Great British Care Cycle Relay.
“It is a great opportunity to make use of annual themes (this year’s theme is the 2026 World Cup) and engage with the local community via social media through sharing stories, promoting events, and showing the brilliance of the staff within the sector.”
If you’re interested in planning an open day, attending an event, or looking to support your local care home, Care Home Open Week is a great way to celebrate the UK care sector. To find out more, visit: https://www.championingsocialcare.org.uk/care-home-open-week/