Star Foundation and Grace Cares care equipment partnership

Care equipment social enterprise takes a step towards its target of helping 10,000 people by 2028, and one million in the long term

Grace Cares, the circular economy social enterprise that rescues, refurbishes and redistributes unwanted care equipment, has announced a new partnership with Burton based recycling charity the Star Foundation.

From August, the Star Foundation will stock Grace Cares care equipment at its Burton store, giving people across East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire local access to mobility aids, daily living equipment and other essential items at half the original RRP or less.

The partnership marks a significant step in Grace Cares’ growth plan. Having already helped more than 5,000 people since it was founded in February 2023, the social enterprise is targeting 10,000 people by the end of 2028, with a long term ambition of reaching one million people through social franchising.

Care equipment that would otherwise sit unused, or go to landfill, becomes affordable and available on the high street, without a wait, a referral, or a full price tag. Every sale funds free community programmes, including Care Club, tea parties, the Caring for Tomorrow webinar series and hardship grants for older people and unpaid care givers.

The two organisations share a model built on the same principle: that what one person no longer needs can fund what another person urgently does.

The Star Foundation’s Rags2Riches campaign works with schools, clubs and community groups nationwide to collect unwanted clothes, shoes, CDs, DVDs and books, turning them into funds for the groups that collected them. Those funds open up sport, music, arts and media opportunities for young people, and the charity involves young people directly in the campaigns that generate income for their own clubs and schools, building community spirit, pride and personal discipline in the process.

Pete Tryner, Founder of the Star Foundation, said:

“Everything we do at Star starts with the same belief, that something unwanted in one household can change things completely for someone else. We have spent years proving that with clothes, shoes and books for young people. Bringing Grace Cares equipment into our Burton store extends that thinking across the generations. Now a family in Burton can walk in and find the wheelchair, walking frame or bath aid they need at a price they can actually manage, and know that what they have spent goes straight back into community programmes. It is the right partnership at the right time and we are proud to be part of it.”

Emma Smith, Co-Founder of Grace Cares, said:

“We set out to reach one million people, and partnerships like this one are exactly how we get there. We cannot open a unit in every town, but we can work with brilliant organisations who are already trusted in their own communities. Star Foundation has that trust in Burton, and they understand the circular economy because they have been living it for years. Reaching 10,000 people by 2028 is not an abstract number to us. It is 10,000 individual moments where someone got the equipment they needed instead of going without, and Burton is now part of that.”

Get involved

Organisations, care providers and individuals with unwanted care equipment can arrange a donation via hello@grace-cares.com or 01543 730189. Grace Cares is also actively seeking partner organisations interested in stocking rescued care equipment in their own communities.

Grace Cares Severn Trent Collect More Care Equipment

Severn Trent support helps Grace Cares rescue more bulky care equipment from landfill across 2026

Grace Cares is expanding its van operations across 2026 thanks to new support from Severn Trent – enabling significantly more bulky care equipment to be rescued from landfill and redistributed to households who urgently need it.

The not-for-profit organisation exists to make care more sustainable by rescuing pre-loved equipment and making it available at affordable prices. Until now, van collections have relied heavily on volunteer drivers and limited operational capacity.

With Severn Trent’s backing, that capacity will dramatically increase – allowing Grace Cares to collect and deliver more large, heavy items such as profiling beds, rise and recliner chairs and mobility scooters.

Tackling bulky waste that would otherwise go to landfill

Large care equipment is expensive, difficult to transport and challenging for households to dispose of responsibly. Without a collection service, many of these items would ultimately be sent to landfill.

Across 2026, Grace Cares estimates the expanded service will:

Rescue more than 1,500 additional bulky care items
Prevent approximately 37 tonnes of waste from entering landfill
Save around 180 cubic metres of landfill space
Avoid close to 8 tonnes of CO₂ emissions

These bulky items make the greatest environmental impact when diverted from waste streams – and the greatest personal impact when redistributed affordably into homes.

Supporting independence at home

By increasing its ability to transport larger items, Grace Cares expects hundreds more individuals to benefit across the year – including older people, unpaid caregivers and individuals returning home from hospital.

Access to affordable equipment such as beds and mobility aids can be the difference between remaining safely at home or facing hospital readmission or residential care.

Emma Smith, Co-Founder of Grace Cares, said:

“Our volunteers have been incredible in helping us build this model, but bulky items like beds and rise and recliners require additional capacity and coordination. With Severn Trent’s support, we can now step up our ability to rescue the items that are hardest to move – and therefore most likely to be discarded.

This isn’t about sending a van to collect small household items that people can easily bring to us. It’s about intervening where transport is the real barrier – ensuring large, life-changing pieces of equipment don’t go to waste.”

Strengthening the circular economy in care

Smaller care items will continue to be managed through drop-off and collection arrangements at the Grace Cares unit, maintaining an efficient and community-led model. The expanded van service is specifically designed to address the transport gap for heavy, bulky equipment.

By supporting this expansion, Severn Trent is helping to strengthen a circular solution that delivers measurable environmental impact while improving quality of life for local residents.

Through this partnership, more essential equipment will stay in circulation, more carbon will be saved, and more households will be supported to live safely and independently at home.

Image: L-R Emma Smith, Adam Harrison and Hannah Montgomery, Founders of Grace Cares with the Grace Cares van

Grace Cares supports NHS Walking Stick Check Week to keep patients safe and promote sustainability

Grace Cares is proud to support Walking Stick Check Week (13–17 November), an important campaign led by Paul Mills, Falls Prevention Project Lead at Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCHC), which aims to prevent avoidable falls caused by poorly maintained walking aids.

The initiative encourages patients, carers, and healthcare professionals to check walking sticks, crutches, and frames for wear and tear, ensuring equipment remains safe and reliable. Worn ferrules, loose handles, or damaged frames can significantly increase the risk of falls, something this campaign seeks to reduce through awareness, education, and action.

Grace Cares, a not-for-profit organisation based in Staffordshire, is working alongside BCHC and other NHS partners to make care delivery more sustainable by promoting the reuse and responsible return of walking aids. Currently, only 20% of walking aids are returned after use, yet if just 2 in 5 were reused, it could save the NHS up to £46,000 each year and reduce carbon emissions by 98% compared to manufacturing new equipment.

To better understand how patients and families can be supported to return their walking aids, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust have launched a Walking Aid Return Survey, which takes just five minutes to complete.

💚 Take part in the survey here: https://forms.office.com/r/mf7UZpaV2J

Hannah Montgomery, Co-Founder of Grace Cares, said:

“We’re passionate about making care both safer and more sustainable. Walking Stick Check Week highlights how something as simple as checking or returning a walking aid can have a huge impact – preventing falls, saving NHS resources, and protecting our planet.”

Grace Cares works nationally with NHS Trusts, councils, and care providers to rescue, refurbish, and reuse care equipment that would otherwise go to landfill. The organisation’s sustainability model helps improve patient outcomes while reducing environmental impact – ensuring care delivery works for people, communities, and the planet.

L-R (Hannah, James, Karanjeet and Emma) Grace Cares

Community and Businesses Rally Together in Lichfield to Restore 100’s of NHS Mattresses for Good Causes

Grace Cares’ volunteer day turns Elmhurst Business Park into a hub of teamwork, laughter, and purpose whilst saving vital equipment from landfill.

A huge community effort took place in Lichfield on 21st October, when over 80 volunteers joined local not-for-profit Grace Cares for a Mass Volunteer Day to refurbish hundreds of NHS mattresses helping the planet and people in need.

The event, held at the Grace Cares Hub on Elmhurst Business Park, saw individuals and teams from Crown Highways, Access Bookings, Oakland International, Fruition Accountancy, Prizm Insurance, Hillstart Nutrition, Radmoor Training and other local companies give their time to test, clean, and prepare hospital-grade mattresses for reuse.

The mattresses, all under three years old, were donated by the NHS and approved for redistribution. With support from Direct Health Care Group, the manufacturer, the mattresses will be refurbished and sold to care homes at a fraction of the original cost. In turn raising funds to support Grace Cares’ community work and cover a year’s rent for its new Lichfield base.

“It was a truly inspiring day,” said Emma Smith, Co-founder of Grace Cares. “We had businesses, volunteers, and friends from across the city come together to do something practical, positive, and planet-friendly. The teamwork, music, and BBQ kept everyone smiling, even when it got chilly in the warehouse!”

Grace Cares, which launched in 2023, rescues care equipment from landfill and reinvests the proceeds to support older people and unpaid caregivers through support, grants, and well-being activities.

Emma added: “It’s amazing what can happen when a community comes together, we would be nothing without the Grace Cares tribe. With every mattress refurbished, we’re helping someone who has physical limitations sleep safely and comfortably, saving carbon, and creating social value for those in our community that need support.”

Image: L–R: shows some of the Grace Cares team and volunteers rallying together

Grace Cares Celebrates Two Years With Bold Vision For The Future

Grace Cares, Lichfield’s innovative care equipment recycling charity, is marking its second anniversary with impressive milestones and exciting new initiatives. Having supported over 1,500 people whilst saving more than 1,000 pieces of vital care equipment from landfill, the charity is embarking on its next chapter.

The anniversary celebrations culminated in a community quiz night at the Guildhall, expertly hosted by Tom from Pineapple Quizzes. The event brought together service users, local business owners, residents, and civic dignitaries including the Mayor and Sheriff, highlighting the charity’s deep roots within the community.

Racking

With funds raised, Grace Cares is implementing new racking solutions at its unit to increase storage capacity and equipment preservation capabilities. This infrastructure upgrade will enable Grace Cares to rescue and redistribute even more essential care equipment to those in need.

Unpaid Carer Support Job Role

In a significant development, the charity is looking to create its first part-time position, focusing specifically on supporting unpaid carers. “Unpaid carers are the unsung heroes keeping our health and social care system afloat,” says Hannah Montgomery, Co-Founder at Grace Cares. “This new role will help us develop targeted resources and support networks for these vital community members.”

Work Experience

Grace Cares is also strengthening its academic partnerships, collaborating with Aston University and the University of Birmingham on work experience projects and competitions. Their latest intergenerational initiative, “Pimp Our Ride,” invites students of all ages and abilities to submit artwork by the 11th April for the chance to win £100 and have their design featured on the Grace Cares van. The winning entry will be unveiled at this year’s Lichfield Bower Procession in May.

“From volunteers giving their time to local residents sharing our message, every contribution has helped someone access essential care equipment, support and grants,” adds Emma Smith, “These new developments will help us build on this foundation and create an even stronger support network for our community.”

For more information about Grace Cares or to get involved, visit our volunteer page or contact hello@grace-cares.com or 01543 730189.

Grace Cares Wins New Business Award at WAGS 2024 for Transforming the Care Sector

Lichfield’s very own Grace Cares has been recognised on a national stage, winning the New Business Award at the Women Achieving Greatness (WAGS) Awards in London this November. The award celebrates dynamic women who have launched businesses or services within the last three years that have made a significant impact on their sector.

The judges praised Grace Cares for its transformative approach to the care sector, with a focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. Since its launch in February 2023, the organisation has rapidly grown, forming key partnerships, expanding operations, and boosting volunteer engagement. “Grace Cares has made remarkable strides in revolutionising the care sector… Their MediCycle initiative and the creation of the Sustainability Guide for Care Managers have made a tangible impact, making Grace Cares a standout leader in sustainable care,” the judges remarked.

Driving Change in the Care Sector
Grace Cares has become a pioneer in sustainable care, helping divert nearly 1,000 pieces of care equipment from landfill while supporting older people, their families, and care providers. The organisation’s MediCycle initiative, a partnership with Staffordshire County Council, has successfully redistributed vital care equipment across the community. Their Sustainability Guide for Care Managers offers actionable advice to care providers striving to adopt greener practices.

Call for Support
As Grace Cares continues to grow, the organisation is calling on individuals and care providers to support their mission by purchasing pre-loved care equipment. Every purchase helps fund their impactful initiatives, ensuring more older people and their families benefit from sustainable care solutions.

Hannah Montgomery, co-founder of Grace Cares, expressed her gratitude: “Winning this award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Grace Cares Tribe. Together, we’re proving that care can be both compassionate and sustainable.”

About Grace Cares:
Founded in Lichfield in 2023, Grace Cares is a multi-award-winning not-for-profit committed to making care sustainable through ESG principles. The organisation has helped over 1,000 people, supported local communities, and partnered with health and social care providers across the UK.

Grace Cares Honoured with ESG Leader Award at Social Care Leadership Awards in London

Grace Cares, the Lichfield-based not-for-profit organisation dedicated to making care more sustainable, has won the prestigious ESG Leader Award at the Social Care Leadership Awards in London this October. This accolade highlights the organisation’s dedication to redefining social care with a strong emphasis on sustainability, inclusivity, and social impact.

The award ceremony brought together outstanding social care leaders across the UK, recognising pioneering achievements that set new standards for the sector. Grace Cares stood out for its innovative approach, which includes partnerships with NHS Trusts, Staffordshire County Council, and care providers nationwide to reduce waste, rehome care equipment, and provide crucial social activities and support for older people.

In the proud award photo, Ron, Emma, Stefan, Denny, Pippa, Viv, and Hannah are seen holding the ESG Leader trophy alongside a winners’ banner, a moment that encapsulates the team’s passion and dedication to their mission. This award underscores Grace Cares’ success in fostering environmentally responsible care practices while delivering impactful social programmes that serve the community.

Emma Smith, a co-founder at Grace Cares, commented, “Winning this award is a testament to the hard work of our team and the enduring support of our partners. We’re dedicated to creating a sustainable future in care and are honoured to be recognised for our commitment to these values.”

Grace Cares is grateful for the support that enables such achievements and remains dedicated to making care sustainable.

The sustainability guide for care managers

Pioneering Sustainability Guide for Care Managers Unveiled at The Care Show NEC

Grace Cares, a not-for-profit leader in sustainability within the health and social care sector, has launched a groundbreaking Sustainability Guide for Care Managers alongside The Caring View to support care providers Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) journey. This first-of-its-kind guide is available in a free taster version, paperback, or eBook, and comes just as the sector prepares for new regulatory criteria in 2025, which will focus on environmental and sustainability practices in care.

Launch at The Care Show NEC
The guide was unveiled in a lively presentation featuring a barbershop quartet at The Care Show NEC on 9-10 October, the UK’s largest event for health and social care. Grace Cares also hosted the inaugural Sustainability Zone, showcasing innovative resources, including a collaboration with Veolia UK to highlight waste management in care. The launch generated significant buzz among care providers, industry leaders, and environmental advocates.

The Sustainability Guide: A Must-Have Resource
The Sustainability Guide for Care Managers: Did you Deliver Sustainable Care Today? equips care managers with the practical tools and strategies they need to navigate upcoming regulatory demands and strengthen their sustainability initiatives. Covering vital areas such as energy efficiency, waste management, ethical sourcing, and community engagement, the guide provides a clear, actionable roadmap for embedding ESG principles into daily operations.

With the regulator’s new inspection criteria arriving in 2025, this guide is an essential resource for care providers wanting to stay ahead of the curve. Those who adopt its strategies can position themselves as leaders in sustainable care, while also meeting regulatory requirements.

Why Care Providers Should Get Their Copy Now
As sustainability becomes a key focus for the care sector, this guide offers not just compliance, but the opportunity to enhance the quality of care, improve operational efficiency, and boost your organisation’s reputation. Whether you opt for the free taster version (which was sponsored by Attis Care by Attis Insurance Brokers) or the full guide in paperback or eBook, this resource provides everything you need to start making impactful changes today.

Highlights from The Care Show NEC
Beyond the guide launch, Grace Cares ran the national final of the Pimp My Ride campaign, where schools creatively upcycled mobility aids to promote sustainability. Their collaboration with Veolia also resulted in a thought-provoking art installation, showcasing the connection between sustainability and care.

As the care sector faces growing scrutiny on sustainability, the Sustainability Guide for Care Managers: Did you Deliver Sustainable Care Today? will be invaluable in helping providers lead the way in responsible, sustainable care. Click here to get your free taster or full copy of the guide today.

LET’S MAKE CARE SUSTAINABLE.

Majesticare Care Homes Quote:
“ESG can be daunting, but Grace Cares’ Sustainability Guide for Care Managers makes it simple to take actionable steps toward your sustainability goals. It’s packed with easy-to-digest advice on sustainable governance. Majesticare fully supports Grace Cares’ fantastic work and highly recommends grabbing a copy to kickstart your ESG journey!”

Care Talk Magazine – Editorial Team Quote:
“The Sustainability Guide for Care Managers is a go-to resource for sustainability in social care. Hannah and Mark have brilliantly distilled their expertise into a practical, easy-to-read handbook that helps care professionals move toward a greener, more sustainable future. A must-read for tackling the climate crisis and nurturing a healthier planet.”

Institute of Health and Social Care Management Quote:
“This essential guide provides practical examples for care providers to reduce their environmental impact and integrate effective ESG strategies. It supports excellence in care, attracts top talent, ensures regulatory compliance, and strengthens the role of care providers as leaders in the push toward net zero.”

Grace Cares and Staffordshire County Council’s Medicycle Scheme Named Finalist for National Recycling Awards

Grace Cares and Staffordshire County Council are thrilled to announce that their innovative Medicycle scheme has been nominated as a finalist for the prestigious Campaign of the Year Award at this year’s National Recycling Awards. The Medicycle initiative, which focuses on recycling pre-loved care equipment, is up against strong competition, including Veolia, Serco, and Sandwell Council.

Medicycle, a partnership between Grace Cares and Staffordshire County Council, aims to give unwanted care items such as walking aids, bathroom equipment, profiling beds, rise and recline chairs and commodes a new lease on life. These items can be donated at any of Staffordshire’s 13 household waste recycling centres. Grace Cares then takes on the responsibility of cleaning, repairing, and refurbishing the equipment to ensure that it is safe and ready for someone new to use.

Emma Smith, Co-Founder at Grace Cares, commented: “We are delighted to be partnering with Staffordshire County Council on this fantastic initiative. It not only supports a valuable service for individuals who might otherwise struggle to afford these items but also makes a significant impact on reducing waste. By diverting perfectly usable equipment from landfill, we are helping the environment and making a difference in people’s lives.”

The Medicycle scheme is more than just recycling; it is about building a greener future and making care sustainable. By keeping usable equipment out of landfills, the initiative supports Staffordshire County Council’s broader environmental goals, including the commitment to becoming net zero by 2050.

Gemma Wall, Waste Minimisation Project Support Officer at Staffordshire County Council, added: “We believe that even small changes, like this recycling initiative, can make a big difference. Medicycle is just one of the many ways we are working towards a more sustainable future. The nomination for the National Recycling Awards is a testament to the hard work of everyone involved and the positive impact of this scheme.”

Both Grace Cares and Staffordshire County Council express their gratitude for the support of the local community and encourage everyone to continue donating any unwanted care aids to the collection points. It’s a simple yet powerful way to contribute to the well-being of others and the health of our planet.

CASS Doubles Impact at Grace Cares’ Pimp My Ride Event

At Grace Cares, we believe in the power of community, creativity, and collaboration to drive meaningful change. Our recent Pimp My Ride VIP launch at The Hub at St Mary’s was a shining example of these values in action, bringing together local talent, generous supporters, and a shared commitment to reducing waste and promoting sustainability.

Transforming Waste into Art

The event was a unique celebration of creativity, with local schools and colleges participating in a one-of-a-kind project to transform Zimmer Frames into beautiful works of art. These frames, which might have otherwise ended up in landfill, were given new life through the skill and imagination of the students. Their incredible designs not only showcased their artistic abilities but also aligned perfectly with Grace Cares’ mission to repurpose and redistribute care equipment.

The evening was made even more special by the presence of Paul Barnes, Managing Director of Cloud Accounting Support Services (CASS), our bookkeeping support. Paul joined over 140 attendees in voting for his favourite design, helping to support the budding talent of local students and the broader mission of Grace Cares.

A Generous Gesture

A highlight of the night was our charity raffle, which successfully raised £600. However, the generosity didn’t stop there. In a heartwarming gesture, CASS decided to match the amount raised, doubling the total to an impressive £1,200. This contribution will go a long way in helping us continue our work of saving care equipment from landfill and ensuring it reaches those in need.

“We are incredibly thankful to Team CASS for their generosity,” said Hannah Montgomery, co-founder of Grace Cares. “Their matching donation not only boosts our funds but also shows the power of businesses coming together to support important causes. Together, we are making a real difference.”

A Night to Remember

For all of us at Grace Cares, the Pimp My Ride VIP launch was about more than just fundraising; it was about bringing our community together to celebrate creativity, sustainability, and shared values. The room was filled with energy and enthusiasm, with each attendee playing a part in the success of the evening.

Paul Barnes of CASS expressed his pride in being part of the event: “I’m proud to have been a part of this event and to have witnessed firsthand the incredible impact Grace Cares is making. At CASS, we believe in going beyond traditional client support, and this was a perfect example of how we can make a difference together.”

As we reflect on the success of the Pimp My Ride VIP launch, we are filled with gratitude for the support we have received from CASS and everyone who attended. Your contributions, whether through donations or simply by being present, have helped us take another step towards achieving our mission.

We look forward to continuing our journey with you, our community, as we work together to create a more sustainable future. Thank you for being the change you want to see.