Staff and residents at Harper Fields care home in Balsall Common, in Warwickshire, are celebrating because their amazing Managing Director, Alison Donaldson, from Barchester’s North West & Midlands Division, is stepping out of her comfort zone to compete for culinary supremacy in the Barchester Charitable Foundation Cook Off 2026.
Swapping their business suits for chefs’ whites, Alison and her fellow Managing Directors from Barchester’s five divisions are going head-to-head with members of Barchester’s Executive team to cook up a storm and raise vital funds for Barchester’s Charitable Foundation. The Charitable Foundation helps connect vulnerable people and those living with a disability to community groups in their local area by providing grants to improve mobility and quality of life. Each year the Foundation distributes thousands of pounds to individuals, small community groups and charities across England, Scotland and Wales.
In 2025 the Foundation achieved a donation milestone of £424,000 which enabled the charity to provide vital help to a staggering 262 small groups and charities, plus 123 individuals in one year alone. Alison and the other MDs are keeping their cards very close to their chests regarding what they will be cooking but they have been practising hard. Alison comments: “I absolutely love to cook and I am extremely competitive, so when I was asked to take part in the Cook Off alongside my fellow MDs, I jumped at the chance!
“The Foundation is a very worthy cause so it is fantastic to think that our efforts will help so many people live better lives.” General Manager of Harper Fields care home, Hayley Wilkinson, adds: “We are all so proud of Alison for taking part in this challenge, we know she will give it her absolute best shot!
“The Foundation is so close to all of our hearts and the Cook Off will raise vital funds to help so many people, we’re 100% behind her – MDs for the win!” Barchester Healthcare is one of the UK’s largest care providers supporting older people living independent lives with dignity and respect. Providing a wide range of services for a variety of needs, Barchester Healthcare supports over 13,800 residents across 270 homes and hospitals for short breaks to long term stays.
A leading care provider over the last 30 years, Barchester services include residential care and nursing care tailored to the individual. Barchester also provide expert dementia care. Many Barchester homes feature a Memory Lane Community, which is a dedicated part of the home designed to support residents who are living with various stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia, to stay as independent and active as possible. Barchester also have dedicated services that provide specialist care for those who require neuro rehabilitation, as well as care for those with Parkinson’s or Huntington’s disease. Barchester have six independent mental health hospitals that offer functional and organic mental health services.
Once again Barchester Healthcare is proud to be named winner of the RoSPA Health and Safety Award for the Healthcare sector for its contribution to occupational health and safety. At Barchester, they celebrate life and make sure the people we support do too. Their teams of well-trained staff focus on the individual needs of each resident and are passionate about independence, dignity and choice for all residents in their care.
They employ motivated, attentive staff, who are committed to a high standard of care.