A record number of care homes and local MPs took part in this year’s Care Home Open Week.

Over 5,000 care homes representing 135,000 residents participated, with one in five MPs attending a attending a local service between 28 June to 2 July, including deputy leader of the Labour Party and chair of the Labour Party Angela Rayner, former first secretary of state and minister for the cabinet office Damian Green and minister of state for social care Helen Whately.

Mitesh Dhanak, chair of Care Home Open Week, said: “The Championing Social Care team has been thrilled to see so many care homes across the country take part this year, and our partners have pulled out all the stops to make this year’s campaign a memorable event for all those involved.

“Our ambition is to show the public, potential employees and MPs that care homes can offer a positive, fulfilling and highly enjoyable experience for residents and workers alike and we hope everyone who joined us saw for themselves the incredible value that the social care sector delivers to society.”

Events included a colourful Pride Party, special performances from Michael and Charlene, the winners of the nationwide talent competition Care Sector’s Got Talent, and the culmination of an eight-week intergenerational project with a local primary school and theatre.

This year also saw the launch of the inaugural ‘Great British Care Cycle Relay’, which travelled over 300 miles from north to south over five days, visiting 12 care communities that showcased the length and breadth of social care services at the heart of each community.

The week culminated in Thank You Day, which took place on Sunday 2nd July. Led by Care Home Open Week partner Music for Dementia, people across the country were invited to unite in saying thank you by playing, singing and listening to music together on Thank You Day.