Rachel's Mission - A Q&A on Creating Real Homes in Social Care

“It Shouldn’t Be That Hard”: Rachel’s Mission – Creating Real Homes in Social Care

From young carer to Regional Director, Rachel’s journey is personal. She’s turning lived experience into safe, beautiful homes where people feel seen, respected, and truly at home.

When someone you love is diagnosed with a long-term condition, life can change in an instant. For many families, finding the right social care service, residential or supported living home can be overwhelming, confusing, and frustrating.

In the UK, it takes an average of six months or more to find a care service that feels like the right fit, and that’s if you know what you’re looking for. Many families feel lost navigating a maze of providers, limited support, and daunting decisions – all while trying to care for someone who may be increasingly dependent on others.

Like it does for so many people, for Rachel Lovell, the journey to creating real homes in social care started when she was just a child…

Creating real homes in social care

Rachel, Group Head of Growth and Development at ivolve Care & Support, grew up as a young carer for her mum, who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) when Rachel was only 9 years old.

MS is a lifelong condition that affects the brain and spinal cord, leading to a wide range of symptoms such as mobility issues, fatigue, and vision problems. Around 130,000 people in the UK live with MS, and while its progression can vary, it often results in increasing dependence on care, both from loved ones and professional teams.

Rachel’s lived experience has shaped her career and purpose. Today, almost 20 years into a career in care, she brings that deeply personal insight into everything she does.

We sat down with her to talk about her career, her passion for creating real homes in social care (not just services), and why ivolve is the right place for her to live out that mission.

How long have you worked in care?

R: I’ve worked in care for almost 20 years so most of my adult life, really. I feel really passionate about providing people with a beautiful home environment that ensures they’re safe and well supported.

It’s not just about care, it’s about dignity, warmth, and the feeling of belonging.

What’s your favourite thing about your job?

R: I love transforming spaces. Taking a building or even just an empty room and turning it into a warm, welcoming home. My favourite moment is when someone walks into that new space for the first time and knows it’s theirs. That joy when they get the keys. It’s powerful.

Everything starts with that space: health, opportunities, life. A real home in social care changes everything.

Why did you choose a career in care?

R: I didn’t realise it at the time, but I was a carer from a very young age. My mum was diagnosed with MS when I was just 9, and her condition deteriorated really quickly. By the time I was 10, she was bed and wheelchair bound. My little brother and I grew up caring for her and it was just part of our normal family life.

Later on, my mum needed more intensive support. Our home couldn’t meet her needs anymore, and we had to help her find her forever home.

But there was no roadmap. No support. No one guiding us. We were kids trying to navigate very complex systems. Eventually, she found a beautiful stately home that felt just right, and we finally felt peace.

That experience stayed with me.

It made me determined to help other people find that same kind of home – without the struggle. It’s such a privilege to be able to support others through what can be one of the hardest parts of their lives.

What did that time feel like?

It was terrifying. It felt like being a rabbit in the headlights. I just wanted the best for my mum, but I didn’t know what that looked like or how to get it. It was scary to see someone I loved become completely dependent, and even scarier not to have help.

When we found her forever home, through pure chance, she just knew it was right. It was perfect for her. She was always so beautiful, and it was the first place that truly respected that and mirrored who she was,

I don’t want it to be that hard for anyone else. At ivolve, we don’t just create environments, we build places that feel right for people. I always think:

“If it wouldn’t have been good enough for my mum, it’s not good enough for anyone we support.”

What do you look for when creating a service?

It’s personal. Everyone wants different things, and we all have unique needs. But ultimately, it’s about standards.

A good home helps someone feel safe, happy, and like they can be the best version of themselves – whatever that looks like for them.

First, I ask myself:

Would I want to live here?

Does it look like a home?

Does it feel like a home?

Together, these efforts help us build a workplace where people feel valued, supported, and proud of the difference they make.

This is what makes ivolve not just a great place to work – but a place where people can truly build a career in care to make a difference.

What first attracted you to ivolve?

ivolve’s mission and values spoke to me immediately. We’re not just another care provider. We’re focused on person-led support, creating homes and opportunities that help people live flourishing lives.

At ivolve, we genuinely care. The culture is supportive, the teams are dedicated, and there’s a shared commitment to doing things right. I was also really impressed by the career development opportunities.

From ivolve.jobs, it’s clear that ivolve invests in its people: whether it’s through meaningful training, real progression opportunities, or the way teams are empowered to lead with kindness, passion and resilience.

For me, it’s not just about working in care, it’s about being in the right place to do care well. And ivolve is that place.

Buildings to homes – the ivolve way

Rachel’s story is a reminder that behind every care referral is a daughter, a parent, a sibling – someone trying to do right by the person they love.

At ivolve, people like Rachel are creating real homes in social care, and turning challenges into hope.

Because for us – it’s personal.

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.

Looking for a workplace where your voice matters?

At ivolve, colleague feedback helps shape decisions, drive improvements and create positive change. Explore our latest opportunities and discover how you can build a meaningful career with us.