A Labour MP learned of the critical work Right at Home is doing to support older and vulnerable adults during a recent visit to a new franchise office.

The team at RaH Barnet & Edgware invited Dan Tomlinson, MP for Barnet, to hear about the positive difference it is making to people's lives, as well as some of the key challenges facing the sector. 

The franchise launched in Kingsbury in 2017 and has recently relocated to a larger office in neighbouring Whetstone to expand its reach and create new jobs in the area.

During the visit, Mr Tomlinson said he was “highly impressed” by the franchise’s “commitment to delivering person-centred care” to residents across the borough.

He added: “I really enjoyed my visit to Right at Home Barnet and Edgware and meeting the dedicated team. It’s fantastic that Right at Home have opened a new office in the area, and I’m grateful for the positive impact this will have on members of the community who need care and their loved ones.” 

RaH Barnet & Edgware Owner Nikesh Karia commented: “It was a pleasure to welcome our local MP to our new office in Whetstone and tell him about the fantastic person-centred care we provide and the positive difference we make to people’s lives every day. The whole team enjoyed the meeting and having the opportunity to share their own experiences of coordinating and delivering quality care services.” 

Addressing social care challenges 

The visit from Mr Tomlinson gave Nikesh and his team the opportunity to discuss some of the sector-wide challenges he and other social care providers are facing and the long-term reforms needed to put the sector on a sustainable footing.

In an industry continuously overlooked by the government, Right at Home is passionate about making ourselves heard, by spearheading national campaigns, lobbying for reform and driving collective influence. 

In line with this, the franchisor regularly calls on the network to engage with their local MPs to raise awareness around their common challenges and key recommendations for change.

Nikesh said: “Meeting our MP gave me the chance to make him aware of the impact a lack of sufficient funding is having on providers everywhere and how this issue is likely to be compounded by recent budget announcements, namely an increase in employers’ National Insurance contributions.”

Mr Tomlinson vowed to work with service providers in his constituency to address key challenges highlighted during the visit to RaH Barnet & Edgware.  

He said: "Ensuring a sustainable and well-funded social care system is crucial, and I welcome the ongoing conversations about how we can best support care providers while maintaining high standards of care for those who rely on these services.  

“As a local MP, I will always listen to business owners and service providers in the constituency – I regularly engage with businesses in Chipping Barnet to discuss their challenges and opportunities, and the work I can do in Parliament to ensure they can thrive." 

Providers Unite 

The MP visit came as social care providers across the country, including several from the Right at Home network, prepared to descend on Westminster to demand a better future for the sector, including increased funding and an exemption from increases to NI contributions. 

Organised by Providers Unite, a grassroots coalition, the Day of Action took place on February 25, with more than 2,000 care professionals marching peacefully outside Parliament to make their collective voices heard.