A UK provider of specialist dementia care, Vida Healthcare, has opened a new 2,500 sq ft training centre to support the career progression of people working in social care following the expansion of its bespoke training department.

The Vida Healthcare Academy was opened to establish a permanent base for the dementia care provider’s bespoke training department following its growth from three to seven staff members since it was first launched. The department invests in staff by promoting lifelong learning to provide opportunities for career progression and establish staff as dementia ambassadors.

Since 2019, Vida Healthcare has grown from 250 to 600 staff members, all of whom have successfully undertaken training and development programmes with Vida Academy since its inception.

Vida Academy offers a range of courses, from the induction programme for new starters and Care Certificate, to specialist training courses and apprenticeships from Level 2 to Level 6. Career progression through the department can be secured by any staff member, from carers and chefs, through to home managers. For example, Sharon Oldfield started working at Vida Healthcare as a receptionist in 2013. Sharon undertook training through Vida Academy which led to her working up the ranks until her promotion to Home Manager of Vida Court in 2021.

The training department also hosts a dedicated app which was developed in-house and provides regular updates on news, training courses and opportunities.

The building will also support the care home operator in attracting new talent. This is particularly important when the social care industry is currently shrinking. For example, the number of filled posts within the adult social care sector has decreased by around three percent between 2020/21 and 2021/22 which is the only annual decrease since records began in 2012/131. The Vida Healthcare Academy will be open to the public during recruitment fairs, which will provide applicants with the opportunity to apply for a job at Vida during the fair.



Vida Academy was launched in 2021 to create a sustainable, specialist dementia care workforce that offers distinct career paths for staff. A range of programmes and initiatives are available to staff, including a mentorship programme to support new starters, house managers development programme, student placements, and a reinvigorated Care Certificate offer.