CareYourWay CEO Sarah Sabater leads inspiring panel on person-centred dementia care at NW Care Roadshow, highlighting empathy, training, and leadership in care.

An Inspirational Day in Liverpool

The North West Care Roadshow launched with impact on Tuesday, 13th May 2025, at Liverpool’s Aintree Racecourse. The opening session, titled “Person-Centred Care in Practice: Approaches for Supporting Individuals, Including Those with Dementia” was chaired by CareYourWay CEO Sarah Sabater and brought together a panel of professionals whose passion for meaningful care was unmistakable.

Joining Sarah were her son and CareYourWay COO, Jonathan Sabater; Becky Roberts, Director and Registered Manager at CareYourWay Chester; Sarah Jennings of Majesticare; and Tim Howell from Home Instead. Each panellist contributed thoughtful insight, grounded not only in their roles as leaders in the care sector, but also in personal experience that added depth and sincerity to the conversation.

Best Practice & What Matters Most

At the heart of the discussion was a shared belief: person-centred care must go beyond good intentions and be embedded in daily interactions. It’s not just about plans or policies — it’s about people. The panel explored how recognising the individual preferences, histories, and routines of those we care for transforms the quality of support. A familiar tune, a comforting phrase, a cup of tea made just right — these small acts hold immense power.

The conversation also tackled the importance of equipping care teams with more than just technical skills. Emotional intelligence, confidence, and a strong sense of purpose were identified as essential qualities in care professionals, particularly in dementia care where sensitivity and empathy are vital. Sarah remarked:

Chairing this panel was a real honour — and, I’ll be honest, a huge responsibility. Standing in front of hundreds of passionate professionals, all eager to make a difference, was humbling. But it also reminded me why this work matters so deeply. Person-centred care isn’t just best practice — it’s the only practice. When we lead with empathy and truly see the individual, we don’t just support lives — we transform them.

The Importance of Culture in Care

In a particularly moving moment, Tim and Jonathan shared their personal journeys of supporting loved ones living with dementia. Their reflections brought a touching authenticity to the session, underscoring how professional care is often deeply informed by personal experience — and how the best practices are born from a place of empathy and real understanding.

As the session drew to a close, the panel shifted its focus to leadership and organisational culture. They discussed how values-led leadership — where compassion, respect, and accountability are modelled from the top — lays the foundation for a truly person-centred approach. When teams feel supported and aligned with these values, exceptional care follows.

For Sarah and Jonathan, the session marked a proud moment representing CareYourWay, made even more meaningful by the inclusion of Becky Roberts, whose work at the Chester branch is a shining example of the company’s ethos in action.

The room was full, the discussion deeply resonant, and the message unmistakable: person-centred care isn’t a model to follow — it’s a mindset to live by.

Sarah and the team joined by our partners in Bury & Rochdale, and Wilmslow, showing their support for our panellists!