Our history

Lifeways was born from an ambition to provide supported living that started by helping just one person live more independently.

We saw steady growth, building our team from supporting our first person to creating several area offices, including bases in Scotland.

We introduced a regional structure across England, Wales and Scotland which led to a further period of growth.

We received an investment of £5m from Nomura.

The Personalisation Agenda was introduced by the Government, giving people choice and control over the shape of their support in care settings.

In 2008 we acquired Kentwood Limited and in 2009 we aquired Clover Care and Home Support.

We acquired Highbourne Care Ltd and Autism Solutions Ltd.

Award Win: We were named Specialist Care Provider of the Year at the Health Investor Awards.

We undertook several new acquisitions - ILA, NNL, Inclusion Holdings Ltd., SLC group, Support Options and Oaklands.

Award Wins: Lifeways was ranked number one in the Laing Bussion’s Top 20 Healthcare Companies, and our CEO was voted Entrepreneur of the Year at Laing Buisson Specialist Care Awards.

Secondary Management buy-out backed by OMERS.

We acquired Orchard and Haven.

Our first three purpose-built flat schemes opened in Blackburn, St. Helen’s and Liverpool.

We undertook several new acquisitions - FHC, Rose, Integra Care, SIL and Care Solutions Group.

We acquired Autism Care UK along with Care UK's learning disability division which we rebranded as Living Ambitions.

We opened 14 purpose-built flat schemes and launched our inclusive recruitment toolkit, developed by the people we support.

Award Wins: Moorgate Mill won Best Supported Living Service at the Laing Buisson Specialist Care Awards, and we were named Specialist Care Provider of the Year by Health Investor Magazine.

We acquired Brighton and Sussex Care and Key Hills Park, and SIL opened four new schemes to support people with their mental health recovery. Twenty-two purpose-built flat schemes opened, along with three new complex care locations.

We launched a new employee engagement programme.

Award Wins: Living Ambitions in Aberdeen won BILD Positive Behaviour Support Award, and Future Home Care retained its Gold Investors in People accreditation.

We opened 40 new flat schemes, two complex care locations, and SIL also opened two new schemes.

Justin Tydeman joined Lifeways in April 2018 and was appointed to the Board as Chief Executive Officer in June 2018.

We opened 22 new locations.

We developed and implemented a Support Worker learning pathway and implemented MyLifeways Learning - a learning system hosting a blend of learning objects for all staff, any time, any place, on any device with an average of 27,500 completions per month.

Award Wins: Awarded the National Apprenticeship Award (listed on the prestigious Centrica Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer list).

We opened 7 new locations.

Our Care Inspectorate rating for good and above was 100% in Wales, and 92.3% in Scotland.

We delivered 15 roadshows across the Group for National Apprentice Week and as a result saw 241 additional applications for qualifications.

Award Wins: Whitwood Hall was awarded the Dignity in Care Award.

We celebrated our 25th anniversary of providing life-changing support.

Our Care Inspectorate rating for good and above was 100% in Wales, and 92.3% in Scotland.

Award Wins: Abbeymoor Neurological Centre was awarded a high commendation for Infection, Prevention and Control at the Care Home Awards 2021.

Andrea Kinkade appointed Chief Executive Officer.

We became a Founding Patron of the Championing Social Care initiative.

As part of our transformation journey, we partnered with Nourish, to assist us in digitising our care management, and Deputy, for our staff roster and timesheet management.

We joined the Restraint Reduction Network (RRN).

Award Wins: Our Learning and Development team won the Learning & Development Award at the Stars of Social Care Awards.

We partnered with energy provider Ecotricity to power all our residences and offices with 100% renewable electricity for the first time.

We joined the Care Workers’ Charity, which assists the UK’s two million care workers with crisis grants and mental health assistance.

Our Diversity Council was launched, to empower and represent our increasingly diverse workforce.

We joined the Social Care Future movement, an initiative that aims to bring about positive change in social care.

Lifeways and Living Ambitions in Scotland joined the Association for Real Change’s Charter for Involvement.

Award Wins:

Lifeways won the Excellence in Supported Living and Excellence in Specialist Care awards at the prestigious LaingBuisson Awards.

Sabrina Brown, from our Heath Farm residential service in Lincolnshire, won Deputy Manager of the Year at the National Care Awards.

Vanessa Kukuruzovic, a Lifeways Service Manager, won the ‘Highly Commended’ trophy in the ‘Fabulous Frontline Leader’ category at the Stars of Social Care Awards.

Autism Care UK, part of the Lifeways Group, won Team of the Year Award at the British Safety Council’s International Safety Awards.

Our Health and Safety Team and Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) teams won Best Use of Health & Safety Data to Lower Incident Rates at the Safety & Health Excellence (SHE) Awards.

Lifeways’ Health and Safety Team won the Excellence in Risk Assessment and Management category at the Business Awards UK.

Our Head of Health and Clinical Governance, Karen Roberts, received the Gold Award for Outstanding Services to Social Care from the Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care.

We celebrated our 30th anniversary, marked by our 30 Wishes initiative granting many people we support inspiring experiences. We also opened 20 new locations.

Phase One of our Transformation Plan completed, delivering digital care management, electronic rostering, cloud-first tech infrastructure and improved governance.

Launch of new Family Advisory Panel, giving families a formal role in shaping quality.

Lifeways Executive Advisory Panel (LEAP) launched, led by people we support.

Awards

Won the Best Use of Care Management Software at the Care Home Awards.

Personnel Today Award win for Change Management (Lifeways People Team).

Women Achieving Greatness in Social Care (WAGS) Award: Amanda Brooke wins Women in Tech Award.

Heather Wright named Woman of the Year at the Safety and Health Excellence Awards.

Phase Two of Lifeways Transformation begins, focusing on growth, innovation, and deeper use of data.

Sustainability programme reaches new milestones, including full switch to 100% renewable electricity, LED upgrades across entire estate and reducing paper usage by 90%.

Awards

Won the International Safety Merit Award with British Safety Council 2026