More Than Care: How We Give Back to Our Barnet Community
February 16, 2026 3:48 pmSince Home Care Preferred Barnet opened in 2018, our family-operated branch has maintained a commitment that goes deeper than providing excellent domiciliary care. We believe a care business should sit at the centre of its community, actively contributing to local wellbeing alongside delivering personalised support to our clients.
Quality care isn’t delivered in isolation. It requires understanding the full picture of someone’s life, their relationships and community connections, and the local resources that can enhance their wellbeing. Throughout the year, we demonstrate this commitment through fundraising, volunteering, and partnership with local organisations.
Our Community Commitment in Action
Throughout 2025, our clients and their families helped us raise £290 for local charities through our quarterly lucky draw initiative. Every month, participants had the chance to win a social trip of up to four hours, whether visiting friends, shopping at Brent Cross, enjoying a meal out, or catching a film at the cinema. These meaningful outings combated social isolation while raising funds for causes that are important to us.
The £290 raised supported three vital Barnet charities: Cherry Lodge Cancer Care, an independent charity providing free nurse-led support and complementary therapies for people living with cancer and their families; Help 4 The Homeless, providing food, clothing, toiletries and kindness to 15-=160 people on Central London streets each week; and North London Hospice, which has been caring for local people with life-limiting illnesses across Barnet, Enfield and Haringey since 1984.
Hands-On Volunteering That Makes a Difference
Our commitment extends beyond fundraising into direct community action. Twice monthly, our team volunteers in the kitchen at Help 4 The Homeless, preparing meals for people experiencing homelessness in our community. This hands-on involvement connects us directly with London’s most vulnerable residents, reminding us that care needs exist across every corner of our community.
Through our membership in the Rotary Club of Barnet, we support and volunteer for numerous local projects throughout the year. Our team participates in the North London Disability Games, helps provide Christmas lunch for elderly residents on Christmas Day, joins tree planting initiatives, and supports IT lessons at Hope Corner Community Centre. We’ve also participated in flower arrangement activities at The Finchley Charities and sheltered accommodation, bringing joy and beauty to community spaces and building lasting relationships with local organisations.
Other previous community activities include:
- Macmillan Coffee mornings and a Marie Curie Pamper Day fundraising event at Friern Barnet Community Library
- Free care fee planning talk with a later life financial advisor and will writing
- Educational talks on equipment to promote independence for various charities and sheltered accommodation organisations
Celebrating Community Connections
This month, we’re partnering with Age UK Barnet to sponsor their Lunar New Year Celebration on Sunday, 22nd February from 13:00-16:00 at The Ann Owens Centre on Oak Lane, East Finchley. The afternoon promises lion dance performances, Tai Chi taster sessions, Chinese calligraphy and art, advice desks, and traditional snacks. Events like these celebrate the cultural diversity of our Barnet community while providing opportunities for social connection, particularly important for older adults who may experience isolation. Why not come along and meet us? Registering is essential to let us know your preferred sessions.
Email teresa.gallagher@Ageukbarnet.org.uk or call 07502 989 403.
Why Community Matters in Care
When families choose Home Care Preferred Barnet, they’re welcoming an organisation into their lives that provides unwavering support during vulnerable moments.
Our Registered Manager Shir-Li Lim collaborates with charities and relevant business partners throughout the year, working to contribute towards the wellbeing of our local community. This approach reflects our founders’ belief that quality care should provide access to support under one roof, connecting clients and families with resources that enhance their daily lives.
Building Local Knowledge Into Care
Understanding Barnet’s community infrastructure directly improves the care we provide. Our team members know which GP practices offer the most responsive service, where local support groups meet, and which community centres run activities that combat social isolation amongst older adults.
This knowledge proves invaluable when supporting clients. We can suggest the Barnet Centre for Independent Living for advocacy services, connect families with Age UK Barnet for befriending programmes, or recommend the Barnet Wellbeing Hub for health services specifically designed for older residents.
Research consistently demonstrates that social connection significantly impacts health outcomes for older adults. By maintaining relationships with local organisations, we ensure our clients benefit from the full range of community support available, not just the care we directly provide.
Our activities in 2026
We look forward to continuing our charitable activities throughout 2026 and hope to expand our community involvement in the coming years. The challenges families face when considering care options haven’t diminished. The anxiety about trust, the guilt about needing help, the worry about maintaining independence are common concerns for our clients and their families.
Our response involves maintaining strong connections throughout Barnet, understanding local resources, and ensuring every client benefits from comprehensive community support alongside our direct care services.
Home Care Preferred Barnet – local care, community heart.
About the Author: Shir-Li Lim is the Operations and Business Development Director at Home Care Preferred Barnet. As a qualified Physiotherapist turned care professional, she brings clinical knowledge and practical understanding to helping families navigate complex care decisions.
Ready to learn how our community-focused approach to care in the home could benefit your family? Contact the team on 020 3950 3273 for a friendly conversation about your specific needs.