And just like that, 2025 comes to a close! It’s been an immense year filled with events, shows, meetings, site visits and plenty of meaningful conversations. From achieving our B Corp status to being nominated for industry awards and continuing to grow our network across the care sector, we’re incredibly proud of what’s been accomplished this year.

As always, a huge thank you to everyone working within the care sector, from carers and chefs to suppliers and care home owners. With rising prices, tighter budgets and pressures across the industry, it’s more important than ever that we support one another and work together.

Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to in December! 🎄

We started the month at Atosa Catering Equipment UK attending the National Association Of Care Catering (NACC) Midlands Region for a day of Christmas. We learnt that the Grinch does have a heart (and it’s hidden in the cheesecake dessert made by the team at PJ Care!) We heard from many guest speakers about diabetes, food waste and IDDSI; it was a great start to the festive season.

Then we headed over to the DP Events Care Industry Forum 2025! This was followed by a gala dinner and after party! 🕺✨

A big congratulations to Archer’s Court from Orchard Care Homes Group for their win on Care Home of the Month. Read all about their amazing home here 👇👇

https://issuu.com/cimonline/docs/care_home_december_2025/15

Industry news

Latest news:

Inflation may be easing, but rising food prices continue to hit care homes hard. With food costs up 4.9% and energy still volatile, strategic purchasing has never been more important.

Read more here:

https://www.greetwell.co.uk/uk-inflation-update/

Key Dates for January:

While often a quieter month, January brings opportunities to reset, refocus and gently re-engage residents after the busy festive period. It also includes several awareness events that can be used for activities and menus. Here are some key dates to keep in mind:

1st January: New Year’s Day – A New Year’s toast, alcohol-free options included and themed lunches can help set a positive tone for the months ahead.

19th January: Blue Monday (Third Monday of January) – Typically the most difficult day of the year so uplifting activities and comfort food can go a long way.

20th January: Cheese Lover’s Day – A cheese tasting can be a grate way to celebrate this day, pair with fruits and crackers too!

As we move into the new year, our focus remains on helping care homes navigate ongoing cost pressures without compromising quality or resident wellbeing.

In early 2026, we’ll be concentrating on:

• Identifying practical, immediate savings across food, consumables and everyday essentials
• Supporting budget planning after the Christmas period, when spend is often harder to control

January can be a difficult month and our role is to make your procurement process simple, clear and manageable.

If you’d like to start 2026 with a fresh look at your spend, we’re always happy to help.

Some good news stories!

🫶 Warm Welcome, a campaign to combat social isolation, has opened up around the country providing a space to stay warm and offer things like free hot drinks, community lunches and informal support and advise.

🦊 A story close to home, in Lincoln where a fox and an otter were seen gallivanting through the town centre! A delightful reward for decades of conservation work as otters were non existent 20 years ago.

🌌 Iceland turns on the world’s first large scale carbon capture and storage plant which sucks up to four thousand tons of carbon dioxide out of the air per year!

That’s all for now, we’ll see you in 2026! Happy new year 🥳