By Diane Pyatt, Head of Business Development, Quality and Operations at Honeycomb Group
A happy home is more than four walls. It’s the place where we feel safe, where we recover, and where we connect with the people and routines that give our lives meaning. Yet for too many people, staying in that happy place can be a daily struggle - especially after illness, injury, or the loss of a support network.
That’s where Honeycomb Group, comes in. Our services across Stoke-on-Trent and the surrounding areas are designed to keep people independent, connected, and well - preventing avoidable hospital admissions and easing the pressure on NHS and social care teams.
We don’t just talk about independence; we make it possible. Whether it’s through home adaptations, wellbeing checks, or our volunteer befriending service, we’re here to make sure no one has to face life’s challenges alone, and can stay in their happy place for as long as possible.
Sue’s story is a perfect example.
Sue, an older woman living alone in Stoke-on-Trent, was discharged from hospital after a fall. With no nearby family and her mobility badly affected, there were serious concerns about whether she could manage at home. She hadn’t eaten a hot meal in days and her home lacked the basic safety equipment she needed. Without help, she was at high risk of being readmitted to hospital.
Within 24 hours of the referral, our Wellbeing Support Service was at her door. Working alongside Adult Social Care and the City Council’s Emergency Duty Team, we put urgent measures in place: home adaptations to reduce fall risks, emergency food support, regular welfare checks, and a link to longer-term social care.
The difference was transformative. Within weeks, Sue’s confidence returned - she began cooking small meals, moving more safely around her home, and even took up her knitting again. As she told us, “I don’t know what I would have done without Honeycomb Group. They made me feel like I wasn’t alone.”
Sue’s happy home was restored - and with it, her dignity, independence, and quality of life.
This is the heart of what we do here at Honeycomb Group. Through working in partnership with hospitals, local authorities, and community groups, we ensure people have the practical support, emotional reassurance, and human connection they need to thrive at home.
Starts at Home Day is a chance to celebrate stories like Sue’s - and to recognise that a safe, happy home should never be left to chance. At Honeycomb Group, we’ll keep working to make sure more people can live where they feel most themselves: at home, in the heart of their community.
