Hundreds celebrate as Lifeways marks 30th birthday throughout the UK
Lifeways' 30th anniversary celebrations culminated in a flurry of celebrations around the country, as hundreds of staff and people we support came together to mark the anniversary.
Throughout August, services around the UK organised special events to mark three decades of the social care company's life-changing work supporting people with complex needs in the community.
From garden parties and BBQs to themed celebrations and community outings, the parties brought together the heart of what makes Lifeways special – the strong relationships between support teams and the people they work alongside every day.
Andrea Kinkade, CEO of Lifeways, said: "Seeing hundreds of our colleagues and the people we support come together throughout August to celebrate our 30th anniversary has been incredibly moving.
“These parties were more than just marking a milestone – they were a celebration of the relationships, achievements and sense of community that are at the heart of everything we do.
"The laughter, the stories shared, and the genuine love and joy we witnessed at events across the country perfectly captured what Lifeways is all about. It's these connections and celebrations that make the biggest difference to people's lives."
Lifeways has been celebrating its anniversary in a number of ways this year – from staff awards and celebrations to our 30 Wishes initiative which aims to fulfil the wishes of people we support.
Three Decades of Growth
Since its formation in 1995 when it was acquired by Southampton Leisure Holdings, Lifeways has grown to become the UK's largest team of professionals supporting people with complex needs in the community.
The organisation was originally established to provide support for people with learning disabilities and has since expanded its reach significantly.
The celebrations also reinforced the role of co-production in the organisation's approach, with many of the August events being planned collaboratively by support teams and the people they work with, embodying the principles championed by the Lifeways Executive Advisory Panel (LEAP).