30th anniversary celebrations for the NACC

On Wednesday this week the National Association of Care Catering (NACC) celebrated its 30th anniversary with an afternoon tea reception, hosted by Baroness Howe at the Athenaeum Hotel in London.

Originally planned for the House of Lords, guests including founding members, national and regional officers, NACC ambassadors, premier partners and industry associations were hastily diverted to the Athenaeum after the Manchester bombing which caused the House of Lords to be in ‘lock-down'.

The NACC is the voice for caterers from all areas of the care sector across the UK and works to raise the profile and standards of care catering through events, such as the Care Chef of the Year competition and Meals on Wheels Week whilst producing guidance documents and resources that support care caterers and providers.

Neel Radia, national chair for the NACC, said: "Over its 30 years, the NACC really has made a huge impact on care catering. Through our annual events and campaigns, guidance documents, network and the partnerships that we have formed, we really have improved the sector's standards and reputation. For example, care chefs are now rightfully recognised as highly-skilled and knowledgeable professionals, the lack of a dedicated qualification for the sector has been addressed and we have taken the fight to protect Meals on Wheels to MPs and the public.

"The most special thing about the NACC is its people and as we face the growing challenges brought about by our ageing population and the strain on social care budgets, I'm confident that the NACC will continue to make a difference for the next 30 years."

The NACC began in 1987 as The Advisory Body of Social Service Catering (ABSSC). The association's name was changed to the National Association of Care Catering in 2002 to reflect the wide spectrum of members from across the care sector.