NATIONAL CAMPAIGN · 2026

Year of Culture

About us

Established in 1997

The Charity

At the heart of NAPA is a simple belief

Every person has the right to a life filled with meaning, connection, choice and belonging.

For nearly 30 years, NAPA has been a leading voice for wellbeing, meaningful activity and engagement across the care sector. Founded in 1997 to promote activity provision in care homes for older people, our work now spans care, health, housing and community settings. While our reach has grown, our purpose remains the same, to ensure wellbeing, inclusion and quality of life are recognised as essential parts of care.

Our Vision

We want to see a United Kingdom where activity and engagement are seamlessly integrated into care and support.

A future where people receiving care:

  • Are valued as individuals
  • Feel connected to their communities
  • Are empowered to live meaningful lives

 

The experiences of the people we serve shape our priorities and keep our work grounded in what truly matters.

Our Mission

NAPA exists to raise standards, inspire excellence and support those delivering wellbeing and engagement in care.

We achieve this by:

  • Promoting high standards in meaningful activity and engagement
  • Providing guidance, resources and professional development
  • Championing inclusive, person-centred practice
  • Advocating for wellbeing and quality of life
  • Supporting the workforce to build confidence, knowledge and skills
  • Amplifying the voices of people with lived experience

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Inclusion is central to meaningful engagement. We believe every person’s identity, culture and individuality should be recognised and respected.

Our work focuses on:

  • Valuing diversity and individuality
  • Promoting dignity, equity and respect
  • Supporting culturally meaningful practice
  • Encouraging choice and self-expression
  • Creating opportunities to participate and belong
  • Challenging barriers to engagement

What We Stand For

Everything we do is guided by a few clear principles.

For nearly 30 years, NAPA has been a leading voice for wellbeing, meaningful activity and engagement across the care sector. Founded in 1997 to promote activity provision in care homes for older people, our work now spans care, health, housing and community settings. While our reach has grown, our purpose remains the same, to ensure wellbeing, inclusion and quality of life are recognised as essential parts of care.

1

Every person is unique and valuable

2

Meaningful conversation and connection should happen every day

3

Engagement should be person-centred, with real choice and control

4

Activity should be creative, respectful and purposeful

5

Professionals in this field deserve recognition and support

6

Care environments should be places where people feel heard and included

A message from our CEO

"Our goal is to support the sector to empower individuals with care and support needs to lead meaningful lives."

Hilary Woodhead

Support our charity

Donate

Many of our services are offered at low or no cost so they remain accessible.

To continue this work, we rely on:

  • Grants and project funding
  • Partnerships
  • Membership and training fees
  • Donations
Donate through Give as you Live Donate

Practice &

Professional Development

A key part of our work is raising the profile of wellbeing and engagement professionals.

Our Impact

Every day, our members and partners make a difference to thousands of lives.

With the right support, care environments become more inclusive, more connected and more human – places where people feel they belong and can continue to be themselves.

Napa's

Year of

Culture