Social Care Leaders Forum
The Launch of the Combined Care Consortium
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM
29th November 2024
Welcome the Combined Care Consortium (CCC)! We are excited to announce the initiation of the CCC, spearheaded by founder, Gillian Ashcroft, after a year of dedicated planning and collaboration.
Event Overview
This launch event aims to highlight and propel the power of collaboration within the health and social care sectors, driving much-needed reform. At the heart of this event is the commitment to showcase how leaders across sectors can unite under a shared goal of transforming our nation’s approach to health and social care, addressing the unprecedented pressures and evolving demands we face today.
We will kick off our journey by bringing together influential leaders from the private, public and third sectors across the UK. Together, we will find ways to accelerate positive change, streamline support and ultimately strengthen the health and social care system.
As part of our mission, we are also committed to propelling The Care Leaver Covenant as a vital component of the government’s strategy to support care leavers aged 16 to 25 as they transition toward independence. This initiative focuses particularly on creating pathways to employment, ensuring care leavers have access to the opportunities they need to build fulfilling and secure futures.
This event is more than a conversation—it’s a call to action. Join us as we shape a future built on collaboration, innovation and a shared determination to create better outcomes for all.
Event
Schedule
Agenda Highlights
10:00 AM - 10:40 AM‘Welcome to Our City’ by Sean Cullen. Introduction to the CCC. Performance by Shocka. Kenneth Erhahon aka Shocka, is a rapper, mental health advocate, author, and speaker from Tottenham, North London.
Shocka RAPPER AND MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE, Gill Ashcroft FOUNDER, COMBINED CARE CONSORTIUM, Professor Martin Green OBE CHIEF EXECUTIVE, CARE ENGLAND & SOCIAL CARE INNOVATOR, Richard Kemp CBE LORD MAYOR OF LIVERPOOL, Sean Cullen WRITER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR
10:45 AM - 11:05 AMAddressing Inequalities in Child Health. Shifting the Dial to Poverty Reduction and Prevention.
Professor David Taylor Robinson W.H.DUNCAN PROFESSOR IN HEALTH INEQUALITIES, UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL AND ALDER HEY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL , Paul Walmsley CO-FOUNDEROF THE SOCIAL BROKERS
11:10 AM - 11:25 AMInspirational Talk: The Care Leaver Experience.
Alfie Rixon CARE LEAVER AND ADVOCATE
11:30 AM - 11:45 AMChampioning Care Leavers: The Local Offer (Inside Connections) and Pledge Care Leaver App.
Gill Ashcroft FOUNDER, COMBINED CARE CONSORTIUM, Richard Kemp CBE LORD MAYOR OF LIVERPOOL, Susan Rolfe GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THINK TANK ACADEMY AND EXCEPTIONAL CARE
11:50 AM - 12:05 PMJohn Lewis Partnership - Building Happier Futures.
Sarah Schaill LEARNING EXPERIENCE LEAD BUILDING HAPPIER FUTURES, JOHN LEWIS PARTNERSHIP
12:40 PM - 12:55 PMCollaborate for Good: The Eye Care Support Pathway.
Gill Ashcroft FOUNDER, COMBINED CARE CONSORTIUM, Robert Cooper PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER, RNIB (ROYAL NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF BLIND PEOPLE)
13:00 - 13:15Empowering Youth: Sponsorship and Scholarship Initiatives.
Gill Ashcroft FOUNDER, COMBINED CARE CONSORTIUM, Richard Kemp CBE LORD MAYOR OF LIVERPOOL, Chris Arnold DIRECTOR, CAMP AMERICA & YOUTH EMPOWERMENT ADVOCATE
13:20 - 13:35Transforming Lives Through Sport and Support.
Anthony Harden SENIOR MANAGER, YOUTH AND SUPPORT, EVERTON IN THE COMMUNITY
13:40 - 13:55Three Flying Fish: A New Adventure.
Tree Flying Fish ROWAN DALLY, ANNA DUNK, HARRY ALLEN, Michael Wolf FOUNDER OF UNITED WOLVES PRODUCTIONS, Bernie Hollywood OBE THIRD SECTOR ADVISOR AND STORYTELLER, Gill Ashcroft FOUNDER, COMBINED CARE CONSORTIUM- 14:00 - 14:30
Interactive Session: Collaborative Working and Next Steps.
Gill Ashcroft FOUNDER, COMBINED CARE CONSORTIUM, Susan Rolfe GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THINK TANK ACADEMY AND EXCEPTIONAL CARE
Highlights from our last event
Celebrating Positive Change
The Social Care Leaders Forum marks the official launch of the Combined Care Consortium, where some of the country’s influential leaders will convene. This forum provides a unique opportunity for sector leaders and decision-makers to communicate face-to-face, addressing unmet demands and identifying areas for necessary change within health and social care.
The outcomes from this CCC launch event will set the stage for future initiatives under the CCC. We are committed to actioning these insights, starting with this event and extending to other local engagements, with the potential for a national rollout aimed at measuring the social impact of our projects.
Next Steps and Future Events
The Social Care Leaders Forum marks the official launch of the Combined Care Consortium, where some of the country’s influential leaders will convene. This forum provides a unique opportunity for sector leaders and decision-makers to communicate face-to-face, addressing unmet demands and identifying areas for necessary change within health and social care.
The outcomes from this CCC launch event will set the stage for future initiatives under the CCC. We are committed to actioning these insights, starting with this event and extending to other local engagements, with the potential for a national rollout aimed at measuring the social impact of our projects.
Looking Ahead - National Conference 2025
From the Social Care Leaders Forum on November 29, 2024, to our National Conference, we will collaboratively choose two or three focus areas for impactful change, including:
National support for care leavers
Mental health services for young people
Alleviating pressure on public services through third-sector collaboration
Social impact projects
Digital transformation initiatives for the care sector
Fundraising efforts to support families in poverty
Speakers
Professor David Taylor Robinson
Testimonials
Purpose Driven Social Entrepreneur creating transformative programs for underrepresented groups.
An inspiring day spent Uniting Leaders in Health, Social Care, and Third Sectors for Transformative Change.
Launching 🚀 of the Combined Care Consortium at the Novotel Liverpool.
So many passionate people brought together in one room by the wonderful Gillian Ashcroft Social Care Leader, Richard Kemp Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Kevin Rodgers, Paul Walmsley, John Burton, Mohammed Haque, Alex Rigby, Joshua Philip Banks, Anthony Harden, and many others.
It’s crucial to reform social care, especially for those children and young people lost in the care system, isolated vulnerable, and at risk of exploitation and a life of crime.
Through a collaborative approach together we can bring about positive change and create more opportunities through shared lived experiences.
There is no future for anyone if we don’t take care of NOW!
Wonder Woman Gillian Ashcroft 🥇
Your innovative plan for Care is truly inspiring 👏 Combined Care Consortium is here to inspire and support the next generation 👏
Thanks for inviting me to this powerful room. Amazing people impacting lives and creating a better future for many 👏
It was an absolute pleasure to attend the official launch of the Combined Care Consortium at Novotel Liverpool Paddington Village – managed by Legacy Hotels & Resorts part of a pioneering initiative spearheaded by the powerhouse that is Gillian Ashcroft of Exceptional Care Ltd alongside our Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Richard Kemp. An array of brilliant research and context into the work being done across the Merseyside area and nationally to try to join up services to create better outcomes for care leavers.
Lovely to start the day in joyous song, and listening to poignant poems and songs by Sean Cullen and London based Rapper Shocka.
Thought provoking findings and statistics presented by Paul Walmsley and David Taylor Robinson from Child of the North in collaboration with University of Liverpool. Great speakers including Martin Green CBE, Bernie Hollywood OBE JP, Chris Arnold, Michael Wolf, the amazing and brave young man called Alfie Rixon, Sarah Scahill, Robert Cooper of the RNIB and Mal Blackburne – Developing people through unique and playful team experiences.
Great to see Merseyside Lieutenancy, Our Lord Lieutenant, Mark Blundell, Helen Tanzey, Chris Clark, Ben Hughes, and so many more lovely faces.
The ask is simple. Recruit a care leaver. Download the upcoming app to help children have a roadmap towards the sort of futures they deserves. A most needed service which I am very happy to support. Please reach out to Gillian to help her in this mission.
A lovely catch up afterwards with Helen and Julie Lawson BEM DL made this a very special day indeed. I love our City. This is a chance for us to put our best foot forward and show the world how we look after our young people. Thanks for having me along. I’m very proud of you, Gillian, and your right hand woman of course Susan Rolfe (Great dancing btw)
Research Fellow in Children’s Rights, Public Health & Social Justice at University of Liverpool School of Law and Social Justice Dept. Co Founder of The Social Brokers-CCE Consultant.
It was a privilege to be able to speak at this event – let’s hope we can get some momentum and be the change makers we’ve set out to be 🙏
What an amazing and unique event to be part of. It was a pleasure to showcase my poem welcoming everyone to Liverpool. This is such an important cause and one that should ignite positive change. Well done to all involved! 👏
Let’s do teambuilding in a different way by harnessing the power of purposeful play. Embrace your inner child and immerse yourself in Digital Treasure Hunts, Pop Up Escape Rooms and Puzzle Workshops.
The poem was boss Sean – encapsulated everything I love about being a Scouser!!
Thank you for sharing your experience at the launch of Combined Care Consortium. It’s inspiring to see individuals like Gillian Ashcroft and her team working towards better outcomes for care leavers. Keep up the great work!
Gillian Ashcroft and her team have supported our Split Perspectivz CIC T/A The Builder Book UK Project project, and we are very proud to see the extent of her vision for young people
‘Flying Fish’ join the launch of the CIC looking at innovation for those in care and care leavers.
“The ‘Three Flying Fish’ Anna Dunk (18) Harry Allen (18) and Rowan Dally (20) will be attending the launch of Gillian Ashcroft’s Children’s Care Consortium this Friday at the Novotel, Paddington Village, Liverpool when they will share the platform with their ‘Director of Partnerships’ and dear friend ‘Bernie Hollywood OBE JP’.
Interviewed by Bernie, Anna, Harry & Rowan will tell their incredible story of how they have come together through ‘collective action’ to inspire the youth of the world.
These three young people are testimony to what all young people are truly capable of outside of the phone-based world that we all live in today.
Hear their remarkable story first-hand how they have come together to create a life changing campaign over the past two years that is activating the youth of the world through their, passion, determination and unique partnership’s.
Marvel at the journey they are about to take in becoming the youngest ever people to have rowed unsupported 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean in December 2025 and how you can be a part of their story to inspire the youth of our nation and the world”.
The CIC will be launched by the Gillian Ashcroft, MD of Exceptional Care and Cllr Richard Kemp CBE at the Novotel Hotel, Paddington Village, Liverpool on Friday 29th November from 10.00.
If you would like to attend the conference contact [email protected]
Malthouse Business Centre, Southport Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 1QR
0151 305 2965
[email protected]