Wellbeing


How cross-home communities are reshaping wellbeing in care settings


Sophia Feurtado-Jackson explains how more outward-facing models of care are being built on relationships, trust, shared experiences, and the rhythms of daily life of people who live and work in care homes.


When people talk about care homes, they often describe them as close-knit communities – because they are in many ways. Over the past few years, there has been growing interest across the sector to rethink what community in care really means. Rather than seeing each service as a self-contained environment, there is a shift towards creating wider, better-connected networks where people can build relationships beyond their immediate surroundings. The opportunity to form meaningful


relationships should not be limited by geography, service size, or organisational boundaries. Instead, it should be actively designed into the way care is delivered. What’s beginning to take shape is a


more outward-looking model of care – one that better reflects everyday life. People’s communities aren’t limited to one place; they’re built across the different


environments they’re part of; through the relationships they form and the experiences they share.


Why relationships matter as much as care In some health and care settings, support can naturally centre on clinical needs, safety, and rehabilitation, as they are essential parts of high-quality care. At the same time, a person’s wellbeing


is shaped by many interconnected aspects of their life. Alongside physical health and safety, the quality of a person’s relationships plays a vital role - meaningful connections and relationships are equally important to overall wellbeing. Research carried out in partnership with


the University of Leeds into experiences of intimacy, sexuality, and relationships in long-term complex care settings brought


44 www.thecarehomeenvironment.com July 2026


this into sharp focus. Across conversations with people receiving care, one theme came through more strongly than any other: People spoke about the importance of authentic friendships. Not simply being surrounded by others, but having real, meaningful connections where they felt understood and able to be themselves. This idea of relational wellbeing is


increasingly recognised across health and social care. Human connection plays a central role in emotional resilience, confidence, and identity. It can influence how people engage with their care, how they view their future, and how they rebuild a sense of self following significant life changes. For many people living in care homes,


especially those who may have experienced isolation or previous failed placements, this kind of connection can be transformative. It shapes how someone sees themselves, how


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