A powerful photograph taken by Katy Hall from Bromyard in Herefordshire has been shortlisted in a UK-wide competition by leading home care provider Caremark, as part of its ‘What is Care?’ photography competition.
Launched to mark 20 years of Caremark championing home care in communities, the competition asked the public to capture what care means to them in everyday life, from small gestures to big moments. Out of hundreds of entries, one finalist was chosen from each of the UK’s 12 regions, following a rigorous judging process carried out by Caremark’s head office.
Katy is representing the West Midlands with a photograph capturing her daughter, Lilah (aged 7), in their garden with their clematis plant. The image is now part of a nationwide public vote on social media to determine the overall winner of the competition. The photographer of the winning entry will receive a £1,000 luxury getaway.
Katy said:
“The photo shows Lilah, in our garden with what she calls her ‘birthday flowers’ — the clematis. The flowers are out every year on her birthday. Every evening, she goes out to water and care for them. The world moves so fast, but through a child’s eyes, you’re reminded to slow down and appreciate the little things.
“Care, to me, isn’t just about nurturing nature — it looks after your wellbeing too. It gives you that warm feeling and reminds you how beautiful the world is, which we often forget.
“It was a bit of a shock to be named a finalist, but if I were lucky enough to win, I’d take my children somewhere by the sea — just to slow down, take it all in, and make some memories together.”
Voting is open to the public via Caremark’s Facebook page and will close at 9am on 29th September 2025. The entry with the highest number of public votes will be announced as the winner shortly after voting closes.
Emma Scholes, Caremark’s Director of Marketing, said:
“We’ve been genuinely moved by the creativity and thoughtfulness behind so many of the entries. With such an incredible standard from across the country, narrowing it down to just 12 finalists was tough because each photograph carried a personal story, so judging them was emotionally challenging. We felt that Katy’s photograph stood out as a powerful reflection of what care can mean.
“This competition marks 20 years of Caremark championing care in communities across the UK. It’s about shining a light on what care looks like in everyday life, from small gestures to life-changing support, and how differently people experience and express it. Each finalist has brought a unique perspective, and it’s been inspiring to see care interpreted so personally through their lens.
“We’re excited to now share these images with the public, celebrate the value of care in all its forms, and see who the UK public chooses as their overall winner!”
For more information about the competition and to view the finalists’ photographs, visit: www.caremark.co.uk/whatiscare
