Our recent annual strategy meeting — kindly hosted by Howden — was a powerful reminder of exactly that. It wasn’t simply a date in the diary to plan the year ahead. It was a moment to pause, reflect and raise the bar: for our partnerships, for our platform and, most importantly, for the adult social care sector we serve.

The energy in the room was unmistakable. Honest conversations replaced polite updates. Big thinking went beyond ambition and into action. Practical ideas were not just noted — they were shaped, challenged and are already beginning to take form. When people who care deeply about the sector come together with a shared purpose, momentum builds quickly.

Unsurprisingly, Care Show London was central to many of our discussions. Now that our agenda has been formulated and agreed, we are excited about what we have created together. The programme reflects the ambition, complexity and opportunity within adult social care right now.

We are delighted that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) will be joining us for eight of the nine sessions in the Learning Lounge. Their presence signals not just regulatory oversight, but meaningful engagement and dialogue with providers. These sessions will offer insight, clarity and the opportunity for constructive conversation at a time when understanding and collaboration are more important than ever.

In the Keynote Theatre, we will be co-hosting a ‘live hack’ with Howden — an interactive, solutions-focused session designed to tackle real challenges facing providers today. It’s an opportunity to move beyond theory and into practical problem-solving, drawing on expertise from across the sector.

We are also honoured to welcome Professor Deborah Sturdy, Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care on what ‘well-led’ means for nursing teams, as well as colleagues from UKHSA who will be discussing the heatwave plan — timely planning, even if the current weather makes it hard to imagine! Add to that people with lived experience, providers achieving outstanding outcomes, Skills for Care and many more contributors, and it’s clear we have a packed and purposeful two days ahead.

Beyond the event itself, our strategy conversations focused on how we continue to strengthen the platform that supports these voices year-round. With our partners, we’re exploring the introduction of shared monthly themes across our magazine. By aligning around a common focus each month, we can create a stronger, more cohesive conversation — offering readers richer insight, broader perspectives and sharper sector leadership. Rather than isolated articles, we want to foster connected thinking that reflects the interconnected nature of social care.

We also discussed expanding our short-form video and “talking head” content—concise, impactful soundbites that bring expertise to life across our website and social channels. Insight doesn’t just need to be written well; it needs to travel well. By embracing accessible, shareable formats, we can extend the reach of important conversations and ensure that expertise is heard beyond the page.

With the OS rebrand taking shape and our partnerships stronger than ever, there is a real sense of momentum. Care Show London 2026 is not just another event in the calendar — it’s a platform for leadership, collaboration and practical change.

When the right people come together with shared intent, progress follows. We can’t wait to see that energy brought to life on the show floor.

Zoë Fry, Director of Nursing for the OS

The OS is a Community Interest Company (CIC), free to all providers irrelevant of their rating.  It is a platform to share and celebrate best practice, help others to improve and promote careers in Social Care.  For more information, please contact Sonia:  info@theoutstandingsociety.co.uk or follow the links below: