A Life Reimagined Through ivolve’s Specialist Care and Support

Case Study: A Life Reimagined Through ivolve’s Specialist Care and Support

A heartfelt story of transformation: how specialist care and support using our Strive model of support has helped one person rediscover joy, health and belonging, giving loved ones reassurance for the future.

When a person we support first came to ivolve for specialist care and support, their life had already been through many twists and turns, lacking the opportunities or structure they needed to thrive. They struggled to feel settled in the place they were living at the time, resulting in t fragile health, days lacking routine and low confidence.

What they needed most was stability, encouragement, and an environment where their strengths could shine. With the right support, their family hoped they would not only find comfort but also discover new ways to enjoy life and begin to believe in the possibilities ahead.

A Welcome That Made All the Difference

From the very first meeting, our ivolve colleagues made it clear that this would be their home – a place shaped around who they are and what makes them feel safe, happy, and in control. Every step of the transition was guided by person-centred planning, built on what mattered most to them and their family.

Together, we co-created the details that made a difference: their favourite colour painted across the walls, an arts and crafts desk stocked with their chosen supplies, and photo frames filled with memories that made them smile. Each touch said, “This is your home, this is care delivered your way.”

On one early visit, their favourite cake was waiting on the table – not just as a treat, but as a symbol of the thoughtful, personal welcome that underpins everything we do.

Gentle introductions, photo boards, and social stories followed, helping the move feel natural and reassuring. The pace wasn’t set by policy or paper – it was led entirely by the person, their comfort, and their voice.

Their parent reflected: “From the moment we met the team, we could see the passion in their eyes. They didn’t just want to provide care – they wanted our loved one to have a life.”

Unlocking Possibility Through Strive

The real transformation came once life at ivolve began. Our Strive model of care runs through everything the team does – and it has helped turn everyday moments into life-changing outcomes for this person we support.

Active Support gave new meaning to daily life. Cooking became more than a task – it became a source of pride – chopping vegetables side by side with their Support Worker, stirring a pot of sauce, and proudly setting dinner on the table.

Capable Environments meant this person no longer saw home as a place of isolation. The sensory room offered calm and relaxation. Soft lights shifting colour, music gently humming, they’ve found a safe cocoon where tension melts away. The kitchen became a hub of connection, and the lounge a place to laugh at films together.

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) allowed our colleagues to understand the person’s subtle cues, using social stories, visual planners, and gentle reassurance to reduce anxiety. Slowly, confidence bloomed – new things felt possible because safety and understanding came first.

iStrive Pathways opened up the future. College courses, gardening projects, and new social clubs are now within reach – not as distant hopes, but real steps towards independence and belonging. Walks, swimming, trampolining, and even bowling have opened doors to activity and fun that had been missing for years.

Relationships grew naturally as routines of high-fives and shared daily living goals with housemates became part of daily rhythm. The person we support has built friendships, not through big gestures, but through repeated, ordinary and sometimes extraordinary moments.

All of this is the Strive effect. And the way it’s transformed this person’s life has been remarkable. Their parent recently shared: “It warms my heart to see them like this – happy, calm, content. They’ve waited decades for this chance.”

Change You Can See

The difference in the person we support, and their quality of life, is striking. They are more active, healthier, and visibly more confident. From health issues that were worrying for colleagues and family alike, they are now a healthier weight, they have more energy, and a routine that celebrates activity and wellbeing.

Even more important are the changes you can’t measure so easily. A once-closed bedroom door and a person shying away from building relationships, has been replaced by moments of connection and belonging. When the person we support was asked how they feel about their life now, the answer came with a smile, a thumbs up, and one simple word: “Happy.”

The future, once uncertain, is now full of possibility. Plans are already taking shape for college courses, gardening projects, and new social clubs. Each step is working toward building not just their skills, but confidence and independence.

For loved ones, the knot of worry they once had has finally loosened. “We feel peace of mind now,” their parent shared. “They’re not just being looked after – they’re living the life they truly deserve.”

A Story of Specialist Care and Support

What makes our approach to specialist care and support for this person special is not one single action but the way every detail comes together. The patience to build trust. The creativity to find joy in the everyday. The consistency of colleagues who don’t just support but genuinely care about making a difference.

Supporting this person isn’t about ticking boxes, but about shaping a life – helping them move from isolation to connection, from routine to possibility, from surviving to thriving. As one colleague described: “Seeing them flourish makes us want to keep finding new ways to help them thrive.”

This is what specialist care and support can be: not only meeting needs, but opening doors to belonging, friendship, and a future filled with possibility. And for those who love them, it means something priceless – the comfort of knowing they are safe and happy. Parents who once felt a constant knot of worry now feel something very different: hope.

When thousands of colleagues across ivolve took part in this year’s annual colleague survey, they weren’t just sharing feedback about their workplace. They were helping support something much bigger.

Thanks to record participation in our annual colleague survey fundraising initiative, we’ve proudly donated funds to both Alzheimer’s Society and Cancer Research UK, turning colleague feedback into meaningful support for two charities that touch the lives of millions of people across the UK.

The donations were formally presented during a special cheque presentation event attended by representatives from both charities, celebrating the collective impact that can be achieved when people come together with a shared purpose.

At ivolve, listening to colleagues isn’t simply something we do once a year. It’s part of how we shape our culture, improve experiences and create a workplace where people feel valued, heard and empowered to make a difference.

This year, however, the survey delivered something even more powerful. For every completed survey response, we pledged to donate £1 to charity, giving colleagues not only the opportunity to share their views but also a direct say in where the money would go.

The result was our highest ever level of survey engagement, with thousands of colleagues from across our nursing, residential care and supported living homes in England and Wales taking part.

Together, those individual responses created a collective contribution that will now help support people affected by dementia and fund life-saving cancer research.

How Colleague Survey Fundraising Made a Difference

At ivolve, we believe that every voice matters. Our colleague survey plays a vital role in helping us shape the future of our organisation.

The insights colleagues share influence decisions, improvements and priorities across the business, helping us continue building an environment where people can do their best work while delivering meaningful care to the people we support. The colleague survey fundraising initiative was designed to reinforce that belief.

By linking survey participation directly to charitable giving, colleagues could see first-hand how sharing their views could make a difference beyond their own workplace.

The response exceeded expectations. Thousands of colleagues took the time to provide feedback, demonstrating not only their commitment to improving ivolve but also their desire to support causes that matter deeply to them.

When it came to selecting the charity, colleagues were invited to vote for the cause they wanted the donation to support. The result was incredibly close, so rather than selecting a single winner, we chose to split the funds between the two charities that received the highest number of votes: Alzheimer’s Society and Cancer Research UK.

The decision ensured that both charities would benefit from the generosity and engagement of colleagues across the organisation. It’s a simple idea, but one that reflects something important about our culture.

We know that meaningful change often starts with small actions. Completing a survey may seem like a small act on its own, but when thousands of people come together, those actions can create a powerful impact.

That principle sits at the heart of our employee value proposition and the culture we’ve worked hard to build. It’s also one of the reasons ivolve has been recognised as one of the UK’s Best Places to Work by The Sunday Times for three consecutive years. We know that when colleagues feel listened to, valued and involved in shaping the future, everyone benefits.

"We simply can't reach those who need us without support from incredible fundraisers like ivolve Care & Support."

Jodie Jarecki,
Regional Fundraiser – Alzheimer’s Society

Supporting Causes Close to Colleagues’ Hearts

The charities selected by colleagues represent causes that affect countless families, communities and colleagues across the UK.

Alzheimer’s Society works tirelessly to support people living with dementia, fund groundbreaking research and campaign for change.

Speaking following the cheque presentation, Jodie Jarecki, Regional Fundraiser for the East Midlands at Alzheimer’s Society, highlighted the difference the donation will make.

“We are so grateful that ivolve Care & Support chose to support Alzheimer’s Society. We provide vital support to people living with dementia, funds groundbreaking research and campaigns to make dementia the priority it should be. It will take a society to beat dementia.”

She continued, “There are around a million people living with dementia in the UK including 14,006 in Derbyshire. We all have a role to play in ending the devastation dementia causes. We simply can’t reach everyone who needs us without the continued support of our incredible fundraisers like colleagues at ivolve Care & Support.”

"Thank you so much for choosing to support Cancer Research UK. Every penny raised goes towards vital life-saving research."

Joyce Clifford,
Alfreton Representative – Cancer Research UK

The donation will help Alzheimer’s Society continue providing vital support services while funding research aimed at improving lives and finding solutions for future generations.

Cancer Research UK, meanwhile, remains the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving and improving lives through research, influence and information.

Representing the charity at the presentation event was Joyce Clifford, Chairman of the Alfreton and District Committee for Cancer Research UK.

Reflecting on the occasion, she said: “A lovely morning to celebrate, and so well organised. Thank you so much for choosing to support Cancer Research UK. Every penny raised goes towards vital life-saving research.”

This is why initiatives like this matter. Behind every donation is the potential for hope. Hope for better treatments. Hope for greater understanding. Hope for brighter futures for individuals and families facing some of life’s toughest challenges. And we’re proud to be part of that in some small way.

A Workplace Where Feedback Matters

The success of our colleague survey charity donation initiative is a reflection of the culture we continue to build.

Across our organisation, we support more than 1,150 adults with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs and complex support needs through more than 185 homes and support services across England and Wales.

Delivering high-quality support starts with having engaged, motivated and valued colleagues. That’s why listening matters.

Every year, our colleague survey helps us better understand what’s working, where we can improve and how we can continue making ivolve a great place to work. The feedback we receive directly informs actions, priorities and improvements across the organisation.

Divisional Head of People for England, Keeley Denman, believes this year’s initiative demonstrates the power of collective action. “The response from our colleagues demonstrates their shared commitment to making a difference and shows that small individual actions – such as completing a survey – can come together to create a significant collective impact.

“The success of our colleague survey fundraising initiative reflects the culture we continue to build, while also reinforcing our commitment to giving back. Our annual survey remains a key part of how we gather insight and shape our future and we have been delighted it has further benefitted not one, but two charities close to the hearts of our colleagues.”

That commitment to listening has helped shape a culture where colleagues feel able to speak up, share ideas and influence positive change. We’ve recently been recognised as one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work for the third consecutive year, reflecting the experiences and feedback of colleagues across the organisation. While awards are never the goal, they provide a valuable reminder that listening to colleagues and acting on what they tell us makes a real difference.

Whether it’s supporting people to achieve personal goals, volunteering within local communities, raising money for important causes or sharing ideas that help improve our organisation, our colleagues consistently demonstrate the values that make ivolve special.

"The success of our colleague survey reflects the culture we continue to build, while also reinforcing our commitment to giving back"

Keeley Denman
Divisional Head of People for England at ivolve

Small Actions, Lasting Impact

The cheque presentation marked the end of one fundraising initiative, but it also highlighted something much bigger.

When people feel heard, they engage. When they engage, they contribute. And when thousands of people contribute together, remarkable things can happen.

What began as colleague survey fundraising became an opportunity to support two incredible charities, fund important work and demonstrate the positive impact that colleague voices can have both within and beyond the workplace.

At ivolve, we’re incredibly proud of every colleague who took the time to complete the survey, cast their vote and help make these donations possible. Their feedback will continue helping us shape the future of ivolve.

Their participation has already helped make a difference to two charities doing extraordinary work. As we begin reviewing this year’s feedback, we’ll continue using those insights to strengthen our culture, improve colleague experience and ensure ivolve remains a place where people can thrive.

Because when colleagues feel heard, supported and empowered, positive things happen – for our teams, for the people we support and, as this initiative has shown, for the wider communities around us too.

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