Leading care campaign groups the Relatives & Residents Association (R&RA) and Rights for Residents have joined forces.

Following the merger, the Rights For Residents campaign will continue under R&RA. The merged organisations are also in the process of a rebrand, including a new look and a new name which will launch over next couple of months.

Rights for Residents was set up in the summer of 2020 by Jenny Morrison and Diane Mayhew as a direct response to the impact of lockdown restrictions on Morrison’s mothers who was living in care.

Morrison and Mayhew will take on the roles of engagement lead and campaign manager, respectively, under the merged organisation.

Helen Wildbore, director of the R&RA, said: “We are excited to be coming together as a united voice to fight for care rights. With the care sector on its knees, now is the time for people needing care and their families to be heard and to change the care system for good. Care must be recognised as vital to the health of the country, with the rights of people at its heart.”

Mayhew said: “We’re excited to unite with the Relatives & Residents Association to become a powerful voice of those in care.”

The new organisation will offer an expanded helpline and support offer, as well as new website, along with an improved outreach through social media to help more people to get the support they need and stand up for the rights of people requiring care.