Care England announces first ever Ambassador to champion Fitness and wellbeing in care homes

Care England, the leading voice of adult social care, is delighted to announce the appointment of Bailey Greetham-Clark, Managing Director of Be Great Fitness, as its first ever Ambassador. This groundbreaking partnership will promote the importance of physical activity in enhancing the wellbeing of care home residents across England.

Bailey founded Be Great Fitness during the pandemic at the age of 17, driven by a passion for helping older adults maintain their independence and improve their quality of life through fitness. Today, Be Great Fitness offers tailored exercise programmes designed to meet the needs of older adults in care settings, including seated exercise and boxfit sessions. Care England is proud to collaborate with Bailey to highlight the positive impact of fitness on mental and physical health in care homes and to help inspire younger people to consider a career in adult social care.

A shared vision for improved care

This partnership represents an exciting opportunity to explore the role of fitness in enriching the lives of care home residents. Together, Care England and Be Great Fitness aim to:

• Raise awareness about the benefits of regular physical activity in care homes.
• Advocate for the integration of fitness into care plans to support independence and wellbeing.
• Inspire younger generations to engage and consider careers in this vital sector.

Professor Martin Green OBE, CEO of Care England, said:
“We are thrilled to welcome Bailey as Care England’s first Ambassador. His dedication to enhancing the lives of older adults through fitness is inspiring and vital. Fitness and physical activity are often undervalued in care planning, yet hold immense potential to boost mobility, mental health, engagement, and improve quality of life. Our partnership offers a unique chance to embed physical activity into the care sector, promoting independence, dignity, and a renewed sense of purpose for residents.

The transformative impact of exercise on older adults is clear – keeping active for longer and reducing the risk of falls which cost the NHS £4.4bn per annum and is the main cause of death in over 75’s. By championing this initiative, Bailey is helping to reshape the narrative, proving simple steps such as regular physical activity, deliver profound improvements in resident wellbeing. We are excited to work together to raise awareness and inspire both care providers and residents to make fitness a cornerstone of care and to also engage younger generations to consider adult social care as a fulfilling and rewarding career”

Championing reform and social care as a career option for younger people

As part of this new role, Bailey will work with Care England to advocate for better recognition of fitness as a crucial element in care planning. By highlighting the benefits of physical activity, the partnership hopes to encourage wider adoption of fitness programmes in care homes and demonstrate the value of investing in residents’ physical and mental wellbeing whilst engaging younger people to see social care as a viable and fulfilling career choice.

Bailey Greetham-Clark commented:

“It’s an incredible honour to join Care England as an Ambassador. I’ve always believed in the transformative power of fitness, and this belief has been at the core of Be Great Fitness from the beginning. Many older adults face challenges that limit their mobility and independence, but with the right support, we can help them take back control of their health and wellbeing. Exercise isn’t just about physical fitness, it’s about uplifting mood, building confidence, and giving people the tools to maintain independence for as long as possible.

Through this partnership, I’m excited to demonstrate the profound impact that regular physical activity can have on care home residents and showcase how rewarding a career in social care can be for younger generations. Together, we can embed fitness into daily routines, improving not only health but also providing a renewed sense of purpose and joy. I look forward to working with Care England to shape the future of care and inspire a broader conversation about how we can support residents to live longer, happier and healthier lives.”

You can watch Be Great Fitness’s announcement video here.

A positive step towards a healthier future

This collaboration underscores Care England’s commitment to finding innovative ways to improve the wellbeing of those receiving care. By integrating fitness more fully into the care environment, the partnership between Care England and Be Great Fitness is set to make a lasting impact on the health and happiness of care home residents.