BuddiesForLife Named a Semi-Finalist in the Care Innovation Challenge 2026

We're delighted to share that BuddiesForLife has been selected as a semi-finalist in the National Care Innovation Challenge 2026 with our Senses Moisture Care range.

While we're incredibly proud of this achievement, one lesson from the Innovation Weekend stood out above everything else.

Don't fall in love with your solution. Fall in love with solving the problem.

Those words perfectly capture how we've approached BuddiesForLife from the very beginning.

A weekend of learning, not just competing

The Care Innovation Challenge, organised by the National Care Forum through the Care Innovation Hub, brings together innovators from across the care sector to develop practical solutions to real challenges facing adult social care.

During the two-day Innovation Weekend, participants worked alongside experienced mentors, industry leaders and fellow innovators to challenge assumptions, test ideas and refine their thinking.

For us, it wasn't simply about presenting a finished product.

It was about asking whether we're solving the right problem in the best possible way.

Why this matters

At BuddiesForLife, we've always believed that meaningful innovation comes from listening.

Whether we're speaking with care teams, dental professionals, researchers, residents or family members, every conversation helps us understand the barriers people experience with oral care and how those barriers might be overcome.

Our Senses Moisture Care range has been developed through exactly that process.

Rather than assuming we had all the answers, we've continued to test, gather feedback and refine our products to better support people experiencing oral discomfort and dryness, particularly those receiving care.

Being recognised in the Care Innovation Challenge is encouraging because it reinforces the importance of that approach.

Care Innovation Challenge Semi-Finalist Badge

Looking ahead to the final of the Care Innovation Challenge

As one of the selected semi-finalists, we'll now continue refining our proposition ahead of the final, which will take place at the Care Show at the NEC in October.

The coming months will be spent doing what we've always done: listening, learning, testing and improving.

Innovation doesn't stop once a product launches. If anything, that's when the real learning begins.

Thank you

We'd like to thank everyone involved in the Care Innovation Challenge for creating such a collaborative and supportive environment.

It was inspiring to spend time with so many people who share a genuine passion for improving care and making a positive difference to people's lives.

We also want to thank everyone who has supported BuddiesForLife on our journey so far. Your feedback, encouragement and willingness to share your experiences continue to shape everything we do.

We're looking forward to the next stage of the competition and, more importantly, continuing our mission to develop practical oral care solutions that improve comfort, dignity and everyday care for the people who need them most.