On the 5th of August 2025, Gulzeb Wasti, Community Liaison Officer at HomeCareDirect (HCD), had the honour of meeting Councillor Rukhsana Ismail, the newly appointed Mayor of Rotherham.
Their meeting wasn’t part of any official ceremony, rather, it was a meaningful exchange rooted in shared values of compassion, inclusion, and the power of community care.

Mayor Ismail officially became Rotherham’s 120th Mayor on the 16th of May 2025, stepping into the role with a wealth of experience and a heartfelt commitment to service.
Her life’s work has included supporting domestic abuse survivors, holding leadership roles in local charities, serving as a magistrate, and standing up for workers through union work.
She is a proud resident of Rotherham East, and her choice of her daughter as Consort adds a moving, personal touch to her mayoral journey.

During her term, Mayor Ismail will be supporting four inspiring local charities:

• Rotherham Hospice Trust
• Age UK Rotherham
• Sense Rotherham
• Apna Haq

Each reflects the values she holds dear — dignity, care, inclusion, and hope.

A Heartfelt Conversation on Community Care

When Gulzeb met with Mayor Ismail, it was clear they shared a common purpose: to ensure people with complex care needs are not left behind.
Their conversation centred on the importance of empowering individuals through community-based, nurse-led care — a model at the heart of HomeCareDirect’s mission.

What Makes HomeCareDirect Different?

HomeCareDirect is a CQC-registered provider with a passion for helping people live safely and comfortably at home, even when care needs are complex.
Here’s what sets us apart:

Nurse-led care, delivered locally
Our clients receive professional support delivered by care assistants who are fully trained and clinically overseen by our team, just for them.
This ensures continuity, safety, and a strong relationship between carer and client that does not change.

Personalisation that empowers
We believe in giving people a choice.
That’s why we enable clients to nominate trusted family members or known individuals to provide care, where appropriate, people they already feel comfortable with.
We train and employ these carers, providing the best of both worlds: emotional connection and professional standards.

Bridging healthcare and home life
With over 15 years’ experience in health and social care delegation, we connect nursing-level assessment with personal, everyday care, allowing people to stay in familiar surroundings while receiving expert support.

This model works especially well for those with continuing healthcare (CHC) funding or Personal Health Budgets (PHBs), ensuring they can access high-quality care tailored to their specific needs.

Why This Meeting Mattered

This meeting wasn’t just a formal introduction; it was a moment filled with hope and shared ambition.
Here’s why it’s so meaningful:

Community connection in action
Gulzeb’s role is centred on building trust within the community.
Meeting the Mayor reaffirmed our belief that local people supporting local people can make a lasting difference.

Shining a light on complex care
It gave HomeCareDirect an opportunity to raise awareness in Rotherham about the existence of flexible care options, like PHBs, CHC funding, and third-party care arrangements.

A powerful symbol of inclusion
Mayor Ismail’s approach to leadership embodies the values that drive HomeCareDirect every day: compassion, accessibility, and meaningful care for everyone.