Reflecting on 2021 – Director of Adults’ Services, Bedford Borough Council

Reflecting on 2021 – Director of Adults’ Services, Bedford Borough Council image

Home >> news >> Reflecting on 2021 – Director of Adults’ Services, Bedford Borough Council

Kate Walker, Director of Adults’ Services, Bedford Borough Council

It’s amazing how quickly 2021 has flown by and the ongoing pandemic has continued to be tough for all of us, but for people drawing on and working in social care, it has been a time of real continued challenge and I know we are not all out of the woods just yet.

Looking back over the year as Director of Adults’ Services in Bedford Borough Council I have found it incredible to see such creativity, care and compassion to support people. We have celebrated this and reflected often to harness the best elements of new ways of working, which have continued to be developed. The collaboration between health and social care services with our partner agencies has also continued to be positive and effective. We have also reached new heights in learning more about the wealth of expertise and important work that exists every day in our local communities and neighbourhoods.

For me, the past year has also again shone a light on the fundamental part social care plays. In moving forward I feel we must continue to make sure that we see the changes needed to ensure that people who work in social care are valued and recognised for all that they do every day to ensure critical supports and services continue to be provided.

As we await news on social care reform we have continued to see workforce challenges, so we continue to work hard to retain our valued and diverse workforce and to support wellbeing. We continue our aspiration to recruit to the wide range of opportunities available across the sector and to work in a co-produced way to shape the future, so people can be supported in a way that fulfils their lives, with those who are entering or already working, in a rewarding and successful career locally. Importantly, I cannot look back on the past year without acknowledging and recognising the critical role that unpaid carers have played day-in-day-out, they have continued to be the backbone. A massive thank you to you all.

There is a lot to be proud of looking back on 2021 and I look forward to the new opportunities 2022 will bring individually and collectively and within the health and care system partnerships.

View all news

Latest news and highlights

News

23 April 2025

Longest waits for NHS hospital treatment show further fall

New figures have revealed that the numbers of patients facing the longest waits for treatment at local hospitals have fallen significantly over the last 12…

News

17 April 2025

Get the care you need this Easter: advice on NHS opening times…

Many families will be looking forward to spending the Easter holiday together, but NHS staff will also enjoy the chance to take a long weekend…

News

17 April 2025

The importance of mental wellbeing – Stress Awareness Month

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care System is marking Stress Awareness Month by encouraging people to prioritise their mental wellbeing and seek support to help manage stress and anxiety.…

News

16 April 2025

More appointments are available for patients at local general practices

General practices in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes are offering more appointments than a year ago, according to new figures released by NHS England. The data – covering December 2024…

News

14 April 2025

Patients urged to order repeat prescriptions before holiday weekends

People who take regular medications have been urged to check they have sufficient supplies to last the long Easter weekend (Good Friday, 18 April to Easter Monday, 21 April) and…

News

9 April 2025

ICB welcomes prospect of better health through boosts to local economy

Health chiefs have expressed their delight at the prospect of better health for local people, following two major economic announcements in recent days. An artist’s impression of the proposed development…