Oladayo ‘Ola’ Ojekanmi from Netherley, Liverpool, was crowned the winner of the annual Care Sector’s Got Talent contest in Birmingham on Wednesday 2 April 2025.

Cheered on by hundreds of people in the live audience, and selected by an independent judging panel, saxophonist Ojekanmi blew away the judges with the energy of his performance in the fifth annual competition. 

The contest aims to shine a positive light on the incredible, and often overlooked, range of talents within the care sector.  

And the judges received and reviewed scores of audition entries spanning across the whole remit of the care sector – including residents, team members, contractors, and care home entertainers and staff.

Just eight talented contestants were then selected to take part in the live final at the Rep Theatre in Birmingham.

The eight finalists also included a soul singer business administrator from Ipswich, a crooner care assistant from Essex, a care-home-staff-turned-harmony-choir from Cardiff, an activity and wellbeing officer magician from Glasgow, a care home admin officer powerhouse singer from Barnet, an Indian dancer healthcare assistant from London, and a Makaton singing choir made up of staff, community members, and residents from Worcestershire.  

On the day, the four judges selected Ojekanmi, who works as carer at 365 Support, a residential care service for users dealing with mental health illness, as the winner and it was announced by the chairman of Championing Social Care, Avinish Goyal CBE. 

Ojekanmi receives a cash prize and will be invited to perform at Championing Social Care’s special launch event for Care Home Open Week on 16 June at Loveday Belgravia Care Home.  

He said: “I’m so grateful to have won this amazing competition simply by doing what I love.

“It’s been a great opportunity and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the experience of meeting all the other finalists.

“Really, we’re all winners.” 

In addition to the main prize, the audience had the opportunity to vote for the act they believed deserved a scholarship fund prize.

It was won by Kunal Barot, a Bollywood dancer and healthcare assistant at Acton Care Centre, part of Gold Care Homes, won who was praised for bringing his passion of movement to the stage.