David Foad: Can we start with a quick review of your latest term of office - when it started, the unexpected challenges you've faced along the way, and the experiences and achievements you’ve had.
Sue Cawthray: When I started my first two-year term in October 2019, no one could have ever anticipated being a national chair on Zoom, speaking to the country from my office, and even presenting awards dressed smartly even though I was on my own.
However, it taught us a lot, such as how to communicate differently and support so many more people up and down the country. At the time, all our members were struggling within their care catering settings and they needed us more than ever.
Since the pandemic and with the cost of living crisis, we have been challenged with even more hurdles as food services are central to what we do every day. We have all had to, and continue to have to be, creative, innovative and open to the way we provide vital nutritional meals every day.
Personally, I have tried to ensure we share best practice and lead from the front line. I have found it tough, but my operational experience and the expertise from my own staff team at Harrogate Neighbours has enabled me to share with members both solutions and questions to help each other find innovative ways to navigate all of the challenges we face together. I was delighted to receive on my behalf of my day job with Harrogate Neighbours, the Queens Award for Voluntary Service for my meals on wheels service in 2019 – a huge personal achievement but equally important for the sector.
In November 2021, on a visit to my daughter in the Cayman Islands I was delighted to be introduced to the general manager of the Cayman meals on wheels service and we have now formed a great relationship. I have helped with meal deliveries and sharing ideas on a new kitchen and their service and I will be taking part in their annual fund-raising event the ‘Turkey Trot’ when I visit later this year. The other amazing milestone was receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from Public Sector Catering.
DF: And what about the issues you’ve faced that were all too predictable - staff shortages, funding shortfalls, rising awareness of allergens, staff mental health etc. How have they affected the care sector?
SC: The care sector is one of the most resilient I know and it seems that together we are stronger. Over the last few years we have collaborated, shared ideas, best practice, and have looked at new ways of providing our services.
We faced a double whammy – first we had Brexit and then staff left the UK because of Covid. And I don’t think anyone realised that overseas staff would not come back. On top of this, the government has not made it easy for overseas workers, or for organisations to employ prospective staff from countries outside the UK.
What has been key is to support the mental health of staff and their well-being. We have seen so many organisations providing these vital services for their staff and it continues. The team at Harrogate Neighbours has continued with monthly well-being sessions because, at the end of the day, staff are our greatest asset, and we must look after them. As Chair of the NACC I have tried to share my own business solutions and look to the wider sector to highlight the amazing work colleagues have been undertaking by sharing on social media, articles such as this and the great things that happen at regional meetings and events.
DF: And the NACC itself? How has it acted to help members meet these challenges through training webinars and seminars, online resources, regional meetings and, of course, the annual Training & Development Forum?
SC: We have amazing regional officers in our regions who give up their time as volunteers to ensure that members in their area have access to our seminars, online resources and publications, all the information needed to take part in Care Chef of the Year, and, of course, providing that all-important point of contact.
They work tirelessly, balancing their own demanding day jobs to support the members, and then it all comes together at the annual event when we can share knowledge, good practice and learn from our amazing programme, but equally from each other.
DF: The Care Chef of the Year competition seems to get bigger and better every year. How important is it to the sector and what do you see as the value for anyone entering it?
SC: Care catering in general, and the chefs working in this sector, have always been seen almost as the ‘poor relation’ in a not very a ‘sexy’ sector. However, this is far from the truth and chefs in care settings do one of the most important jobs. They provide key essential nourishment to keep clients happy, content, and healthy – so it is vital that the NACC provides an opportunity to showcase, celebrate and fly the flag for very talented chefs. It is also a chance to attract prospective chefs into a sector that is so important, and to show that variety and first-class catering are key.
DF: Looking ahead to this year's TDF, can you tell us a bit about what's happening, who's speaking and the main focus of attention?
SC: Our strapline this year, is ‘navigating the new norm’ – and of course we all know that life after Covid continues to be challenging and that we have had to adapt the way we deliver care, provide services and manage expectations.
We have had to learn to live with Covid in the background and the new norm is now a way of life. As the winter challenges approach we have to plan how we are going to deliver our services in the coming months, so talking and supporting each other and our learning continues to be the key message.
We have a very exciting programme, great speakers and of course we look forward to hearing about the Meals on Wheels survey that has been commissioned by the NACC and undertaken by APSE.
DF: What will be the main message from you to members when you speak to them at the forum?
SC: Together we have a strong voice. By working with other public sector caterers through the PSC Alliance we have a powerful voice that collectively we can make a difference to the people we look after every day. How many industries do we know where you can honestly the people working in it can say to themselves ‘today I made a difference’?
Our mission as an organisation is to continue to lobby and raise the profile of a sector that needs us to shout out it on behalf of our clients. And as members of the NACC we have a very important job to do – we have to be the spokesperson for the people we look after every day in our communities. I am personally so passionate about this and have dedicated myself to ensuring our members and customers are heard and are at the forefront of the minds of policymakers.
The people in our care and the services we provide are critical to the nation’s health and wellbeing, so I am not going to lie down and let anyone be forgotten or bypassed.
DF: What should the NACC do to remain a vibrant and valued organisation for care caterers?
SC: Listen to the members, find out what they need and support them. Together we have a wealth of knowledge and expertise and we are in the best place to share this. Since I became chair, I have tried to make listening a key element of my board’s work. We are a membership organisation and we are responsible to the members, so less of our talk and more listening is paying dividends as the NACC continues to grow and thrive.
DF: Can you tell us about any ideas, initiatives already in the pipeline that NACC members can look out for?
SC: Yes, there’s lots to look out for, including:
• We are looking to launch a resource library
• We are reviewing member benefits - what can we offer more of and highlighting the services we already provide
• We are looking at the membership packages, at what we provide and how can we improve this
• We are growing the membership by being ‘out there more’ to meet providers, attend events and exhibitions, and generally raise our profile
DF: And how important do you feel it is for the NACC to work not only with like-minded organisations in public sector catering, but also within care industry generally?
SC: It is absolutely key. I am in a fortunate position as I know the sector extremely well. I have worked in it for over 28 years, and I am now seen as an expert within the care sector - some people say I eat and breathe the sector.
I have always been passionate about the importance of nutrition and hydration for all those who access care settings – and it is paramount to work with like-minded organisations to make a difference.