Care & Repair
Conference 2026

Homes for Life: A Wales-Wide Vision

24 September 2026, The Parkgate Hotel, Cardiff

The biggest event in Wales dedicated to older people’s housing.

This year’s conference brings together leaders, practitioners and partners from across Wales to explore one simple but powerful idea: that everyone should be able to live safely, independently and with dignity in their own home for as long as possible. As our population ages and pressures on health and care services grow, the role of the home will only become more critical. This conference will shine a light on the real difference that safe, suitable homes make—not just to individuals, but to families, communities and public services across the nation.

Through expert insight, real-life stories and practical solutions, we will examine how Wales can take a more proactive, preventative approach to supporting older people at home. From reducing risk and avoiding crisis to enabling independence and improving wellbeing, *Homes for Life* is about turning ambition into action. Join us to be part of a shared, Wales-wide vision—one where home is not just where we live, but the foundation for living well.

 

Venue

This year we are in Cardiff!

The conference will take place at The Parkgate Hotel. The full address is: The Parkgate Hotel, Westgate Street, Cardiff CF10 1DA. More information about the venue can be found on the Parkgate Hotel website.

If you have any questions about the event, please email events@careandrepair.org.uk.

Programme

The conference programme for 2026 has not yet been published. Check back here soon!

Book Your Place

When booking you will be asked for the dietary and accessibility requirements for you and all those you are booking for. Therefore, please have this information to hand before booking. Use the form below or click here to go to our Eventbrite page.

Last Year's Conference Speakers

Jayne Bryant MS — Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Local Government and Planning

Born and brought up in Newport, Jayne Bryant entered politics at the age of 17 and was elected as the Assembly Member for Newport West in 2016. She was appointed Chair of the Standards of Conduct Committee in the Fifth Senedd, and also sat on the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee. Re-elected in 2021, Jayne was nominated to Chair the Children, Young People and Education Committee in this Sixth Senedd and acted as Vice Chair for the Cross-Party Groups on Dementia and Intergenerational Solidarity. All her working life, Jayne has tried to help advocate and support people and is particularly passionate about encouraging young people to be active and interested in politics. Jayne was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Local Government and Planning on 17 July 2024.

Rhian Bowen-Davies — Older People’s Commissioner for Wales

Rhian was appointed Wales’ first National Adviser for tackling Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence in 2015, independently advising, shaping and informing legislative, strategy and policy developments and driving forward improvements in the prevention, protection and support for all individuals affected by violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence. Before taking up post as Commissioner, Rhian was recognised as an expert Chair of Domestic Homicide Reviews involving older people, and also worked closely with public bodies and third sector organisations across Wales as an independent consultant, delivering a wide range of research and projects on their behalf to improve policy and practice.

Lindsay Cordery-Bruce — Chief Executive, WCVA

Lindsay is originally from Middlesbrough in the North East of England, but came to Wales in 2011. Following a lengthy career, with particular expertise in the substance misuse field, Lindsay has spent the last six years as Chief Executive of The Wallich tackling homelessness. Lindsay started her career as a volunteer after experiencing homelessness. She spent some time at the Probation Service delivering group work programs in prisons and community settings before setting up the first alcohol arrest referral service in the UK. Lindsay has also worked in a Community Safety Partnership, commissioning and monitoring services. Her career has led her to this point: an experienced Chief Executive with a professional doctorate in Applied Psychology. For her thesis Lindsay developed a program for addressing addiction through beekeeping. Lindsay served on the board of WCVA for eight years and stepped down in November 2023. Lindsay recently stepped down from the board of Tai Pawb, promoting equality in housing settings. She continues to serve on the Board of Cynnal Cymru/Sustain Wales, promoting sustainable development in Wales. Lindsay volunteers with Hedgehog Helpline, operating the phone line and rehabilitating hedgehogs. Lindsay is happily married to Lisa, with two step children, three dogs, four chickens and about 200,000 bees. In her spare time she lifts weights, enjoys boxing and is a DIY enthusiast.

Gwynne Jones — Former Managing Director, Cartrefi Conwy

Gwynne had worked in social housing for 33 years until July 2020. He is proud to be currently Chair of Conwy and Denbighshire Care & Repair and has had links to the Care & Repair movement in Wales since 1996. Having worked for local authorities and housing associations in Wales and England, his last role was with Cartrefi Conwy as Managing Director. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing.

Last Year's Conference Exhibitors

AKW

As UK market leaders in accessible bathroom and kitchen solutions, we’re proud to boast a portfolio of over 5,500 products that are intelligently designed by our team of expert in-house engineers to help you create inclusive, practical, yet beautiful spaces that make life better for people living with reduced mobility, dementia, or visual impairment.

Altro

When it comes to social housing and home adaptations, the way a home looks is just as important as how it functions. Living areas need to have a sense of style, communal areas need to be welcoming, sensitive to noise and easy to clean and kitchens and bathrooms need to conform to the highest standards of safety and hygiene. Altro’s range of contemporary floors and walls with traditional colours, different textures and finishes – including wood – will give you everything you need to complete a new build or upgrade existing accommodation and facilities.

Alzheimer's Society

Information about memory loss , dementia, our services and support.

Bellman & Symfon

Bellman & Symfon create assistive listening and alerting devices for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Products include personal listeners, and the Visit Alerting system, which notifies users about important sounds like doorbells, smoke alarms, baby cries, and phone calls through vibrations, flashing lights, and loud sounds. These solutions are designed to enhance safety, independence, and accessibility in daily life.

Easiaccess

Easiaccess are a leading UK modular ramp and step manufacturer, supplier, and fitter. We offer a nationwide supply and installation service. Our metal systems have a fully adjustable design, providing flexibility to suit any building and space. We provide free surveys and quotations, followed with 2D and 3D drawings from our experienced surveyor team with extensive knowledge on the latest regulations and requirements so you can have peace of mind that your access solutions will be fit for purpose and have all the legal requirements.

Energy Saving Trust

The Welsh Government Warm Homes Nest scheme offers free, impartial advice and support to all households in Wales. If a customer is eligible, Nest also offers a package of free home energy efficiency improvements to help lower energy bills and improve health and wellbeing, such as insulation, a heat pump, solar panels, or central heating.

Hearing Products International Limited

Hearing Products International provide assistive technology for individuals with hearing and sensory loss, such as Personal Listeners, T-Coil Loop Systems, 2in1 TV Listeners, Smoke Detectors with flashing & vibrating pagers, Door Alerts systems with bellpush, telephone signaler, sound sensor, vibrating pager and vibrating bed pad and much more.

NEA

National Energy Action (NEA) is the national charity working to end fuel poverty. NEA works across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to ensure that everyone can afford to live in a warm, safe, and healthy home. Across the UK, cold homes are already damaging the lives of the poorest households. We work together with frontline practitioners, companies, regulators, and the government to help customers in vulnerable circumstances make positive changes.

Older People's Commissioner for Wales

The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales is an independent voice and champion for older people throughout Wales. The role of the Commissioner is to promote awareness of the rights and interests of older people in Wales, challenge discrimination, encourage best practice and review the law affecting the interests of older people in Wales.

Orbits IT

IT Support Cyber Security Cloud Services

Qualia Law

Not-for-profit legal advice and financial safeguarding for vulnerable or neurodiverse people Our professional Court of Protection Deputy and Attorney services help safeguard and protect the property and finances of people who lack capacity or who are unable to manage their own financial affairs. Every Deputyship or Attorneyship is managed by an experienced, specialist Solicitor. However, unlike a traditional law firm, our objective is not to generate profit but to act solely in the best interest of our clients. We provide free, impartial advice and support to families, carers, social care professionals and other third sector organisations. We help navigate the various options available to vulnerable or incapacitated people in order to maximise independence and achieve the best quality of life.

Steer IT

Providing Managed IT Services and Support for Businesses across Wales and the West.

Solon Security

Solon is recognised as the UK’s leading supplier of community safety products. Having worked with an array of councils, housing associations and care providers for almost 30 years, we utilise this customer involvement to deliver market-leading solutions.

SWFRS

SWFRS want residents to feel safe at home, this is not just about the building you live in. We take a person centred approach to make sure you are as safe as you can be in your own home. During the visit we can look at the home, the person, and their behaviours. Topics we cover include: Kitchen safety, Electrical safety, Smoking, Portable & open fires, Bedtime routines, Escape routes, Hoarding, Falls & crime prevention, and fire detection.

Tai Pawb

Tai Pawb works to advance equality in housing in Wales. We imagine a Wales where everyone has the right to a good home. We shape the change by influencing decision makers at the highest level We make the change by supporting our members to advance equality on the ground. We be the change by walking the talk in our organisation.

The Key Safe Company

The Key Safe Company is the UK's leading provider of secure key storage solutions, helping millions share secure property access since 1996. As ISO approved distributors, we worked with security experts to regulate the industry, developing the police preferred standard. Our groundbreaking ark Tamoâ„¢, is certified by LPCB as the most secure mechanical key safe, setting the standard in its class.

Triton

Triton are proud to be known as ‘The UK’s Shower Company’, having produced expertly engineered, innovative shower designs since 1975. Triton have been at the forefront of providing customers with energy-efficient showering for over 45 years. Triton are on track to achieve Carbon Net Zero SBT status by 2035. With rising living costs and increasing demand for natural resources, every drop really does make a difference when selecting energy-efficient water heating appliances for the home.

Wales and West Utilities

We distribute gas to homes and businesses on the main gas network, offering support to people in vulnerable situations who experience a gas supply loss. We also provide the 24/7 365 day a year gas emergency service for people who smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide is being released. We offer free locking gas cooker valve installation for cookers with suitable pipework to support those caring for people with dementia.

Weboss

Virtual finance/payroll/bookkeeping/office administrative services. Providing virtual support to SMEs, our VAs help support businesses in any geographical location. A Virtual Assistant is a professional business assistant (personal assistant) who works remotely to support businesses and professionals with a variety of tasks and projects.

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