Putting People First: Reflections on Our Company Culture Webinar

There’s something incredibly powerful about seeing people come together to talk about what really makes social care work. Not the systems, or the policies, or the paperwork, but the people. 

That’s what our latest Flourish webinar, Putting People First: Building a Thriving Company Culture in Social Care, was all about.

And, if you joined us, you’ll know it was one of those rare conversations that left everyone thinking a little differently about what “culture” really means. 

Culture – the invisible force that shapes everything

What struck me most was how universal the topic felt. No matter the size or shape of an organisation, workplace culture touches everything: how supported teams feel, how leaders show up, how much trust exists between colleagues, and how confident people feel in delivering great care.

It’s invisible, but it’s everywhere. And when it’s strong, it changes everything. 

One of the things that really resonated for me - and I think for many of our attendees - was how the discussion moved beyond the abstract idea of culture and into the real, lived experience of it.

The conversation explored what it means to create an environment where people can bring their whole selves to work, where learning and growth are ongoing, and where wellbeing isn’t a tick-box exercise but a genuine priority. 

There was a lot of honesty, too. Culture can be complicated, especially in a sector under constant pressure. Yet throughout the conversation, there was such a sense of optimism. It reminded me that even in challenging times, there are always opportunities to do things differently - to lead with empathy, to listen more closely, and to invest in people in ways that truly matter.

Leadership that lives in the everyday

One theme that kept coming up was leadership. Not just in the formal sense, but in the everyday choices we all make.

The way a senior manager responds to a crisis. The way a team member supports a colleague having a hard day. The tone of an email, the language used in meetings, the time taken to say thank you. All of it builds (or breaks) culture. It’s collective, not top-down. 

And while we explored the big ideas (growth, wellbeing, retention), it was the small, practical examples that landed most deeply - the small gestures of recognition that can transform morale.

How giving people space to reflect and learn can spark new confidence. How simply asking “What do you need?” can open the door to genuine change. 

Read more: How Managers in Social Care Can Accommodate Different Learning Styles?

A shared commitment to getting culture right

It was clear from the comments and questions that this topic matters deeply to people across the sector. The chat was full of reflections, challenges, and ideas.

There was a real sense of community, which was lovely - of people wanting to get culture right, not because it looks good on paper, but because it changes lives. 

For me, that’s the most exciting part. Culture isn’t a project or an initiative, it’s a daily practice. It’s what happens when values come off the wall and into the way people work together. It’s when care isn’t just delivered, but lived. 

Putting people first – in every sense

I came away from the session feeling inspired and hopeful. Hopeful because the sector is full of people who understand that putting people first isn’t just about those receiving care, but also about those providing it. When we get that balance right, everything else follows. 

If you couldn’t join us live, I’d really encourage you to watch the recording – I'll be watching it back myself to really take it all in.

It’s a conversation full of insights, practical wisdom, and ideas you can take back to your own teams, whether you’re leading a large organisation or just starting out in care. 

Because when we talk about culture, what we’re really talking about is care itself.

And that’s something worth exploring. 

Watch the full webinar recording