Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visits Home Instead
Published: 05 May 2026
Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty spent the morning at Home Instead’s national office, meeting Care Professionals and clients as part of a visit to better understand how home care is delivered in practice.
Keen to see first-hand how the sector is evolving, the former Prime Minister used the visit to listen, ask questions and experience the day-to-day realities of care, including how Home Instead is using technology to support more personalised, proactive care.
During the visit, Sunak and Murty spent time with Care Professionals and clients from the Northwich office, hearing directly about their experiences and the relationships at the heart of home care. Conversations offered an honest and often moving insight into what care looks like beyond policy, from everyday companionship to the consistency that enables older people to live independently at home.
Ruth Brown, Managing Director of Home Instead, said: “We were delighted to welcome Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty to our national office. This was a valuable opportunity to bring to life what home care really involves by connecting them directly with the people who both give and receive care. Our Care Professionals spoke with such warmth and honesty, something that truly reflects what Home Instead stands for. We hope visits like this help build greater understanding of the sector and the people within it.”
The visit also included an introduction to how technology is being integrated into home care across Home Instead. Through a series of demonstrations, Sunak and Murty experienced how digital tools are supporting Care Professionals in their roles, from recognising patterns and potential risks to reducing time spent on administrative tasks. These innovations are designed to enhance, not replace, the human side of care, enabling more time for meaningful, person-centred support.
Sunak noted that the NHS is currently trialling similar voice recognition technology within GP settings and was struck by the parallels with its use in home care.
As part of the morning, Sunak also took part in a sensitivity kit experience, designed to simulate some of the physical and sensory challenges associated with ageing, including reduced mobility, arthritis and sight loss. He described the exercise as enlightening, highlighting how effective it was in building empathy and understanding.
The discussion also touched on the wider challenges facing the care sector, including recruitment and retention. Sunak acknowledged the ongoing pressures and showed interest in Home Instead’s approach to career development, which provides structured opportunities for Care Professionals to progress and build long-term careers. Ruth Brown highlighted that many senior leaders within the organisation began as Care Professionals, supported by ongoing training and regular wellbeing initiatives.
Reflecting on the visit, Rishi Sunak said:
“Spending time with the Care Professionals and clients at Home Instead was genuinely moving. The dedication and warmth of the people I met was extraordinary, and it gave me a much deeper appreciation of the vital role home care plays in so many people’s lives.”
Home Instead’s Care Professionals provide companionship, personal care and specialist support to older people in their own homes, helping them to live independently for longer. With a growing ageing population and increasing pressure on NHS services, the organisation believes that high-quality, relationship-led home care plays a vital role in supporting the UK’s long-term health and wellbeing.
For more information on Home Instead and their franchise opportunities, visit their profile.
