A message from our CEO - Gemma Bloomfield
Reflecting on 2025, it was truly an outstanding year marked by significant achievements for Care Development East, and I want to express my gratitude to everyone who contributed to our journey.
We were honoured to host the Dementia Marketplace in collaboration with Suffolk County Council and NHS Suffolk & North East Essex. With the support of 50 distinguished organisations showcasing their dementia services, the event welcomed over 200 attendees from across the county.
The annual Suffolk Care Awards received a record number of nominations and brought together 300 members of the social care sector for an evening of celebration, honouring the remarkable impact they have on people's lives.
We have provided free training across a range of subjects to over 800 people, and our Leaders in Care events have connected more than 170 individuals, promoting knowledge sharing and best practices. Additionally, we've supported the induction of 40 nursing students, welcomed 572 new carers into the sector through the ‘Kickstart’ initiative, and delivered our Junior Academy programme for 60 young people aged 10-16, inspiring tomorrow’s health and social care workforce. By collaborating with schools, colleges, the Department of Work and Pensions, Careers Fairs, industry professionals, and partners, we have engaged with more than 4,400 people overall.
2026 brings a new phase for Care Development East, as our funding from the local authority came to a close at the end of last year, we are regenerating, exploring new ways of working, and diversifying our offer. Sadly, we have said goodbye to three members of our team. We thank them for all their hard work and wish them all the best for the future.
We move forward with a core team who have a broad range of expertise across the sector, including events management, information/advice, training and development, Registered Manager and Nominated Individual experience, and management of CQC Outstanding-rated services.
We have relocated our Registered office to Ipswich, and the team will work remotely with more flexibility to support the sector.
We will continue to develop our CDE Learn portal, currently offering the Dignity Champion course and delivering Safeguarding Awareness training. We understand the challenges providers face with access to training and continue to seek solutions that meet provider needs and deliver best value. Our Leaders in Care forum will remain active, alongside other exciting initiatives in development, so keep an eye on our social media channels and newsletter.
We remain dedicated to supporting our partners—the NHS, Social Care providers, and Suffolk County Council—as we strive for excellence across the sector and aim to improve people's lives.
If you're interested in working in partnership with us or need support, please get in touch at info@caredevelopmenteast.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you!