Zimbabwean-born innovator Joy Bhila propels “Care Connect Show” to new heights of industry influence

By Nigel Pfunde

LONDON — As the United Kingdom’s care landscape faces unprecedented pressure from regulatory demands and evolving service standards, Zimbabwean-born entrepreneur Rejoice ‘Joy’ Bhila is emerging as a pivotal architect of sector change.

Her flagship event, the ‘Care Connect Show’ has cemented its status as a premier destination for healthcare leadership and innovation following its most recent successful gathering on June 13.

Event organiser and Careconnect founder Joy Bhila at the venue

The event, hosted at City Gates in London, drew hundreds of professionals ranging from care providers and service directors to sector innovators who are all united by a common mandate to navigate the complexities of Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Ofsted standards through collaboration, rather than operating in isolation.

Attendees networking and cross pollinating ideas

In a telephone interview with this publication ,Bhila said the Care Connect Show was founded on a distinct, human-centric philosophy that meaningful transformation in the care sector does not happen through policy documents alone, but through the cross-pollination of ideas among those on the front lines.

“What we created is truly special

“The energy in the room, the openness, and the collective willingness to share, learn and push boundaries, it was unforgettable.

“We are building a movement of leaders committed to doing things better,” she said.

“The mandate of our event is to provide a platform to bridge the gap between regulatory requirements and the practical, daily delivery of outstanding care.”

She added:

“We are fostering an environment where ambitious, values-driven professionals can share best practices, challenge traditional thinking and access the latest technological breakthroughs.”

The 2026 edition of the show highlighted the growing integration of technology in social care Athena Mind AI Academy of Robotics serving as the headline sponsor.

The event emphasized the role of secure, private generative AI in helping leadership teams streamline compliance and improve service outcomes without sacrificing data integrity.

For attendees, the impact of the Care Connect Show extended far beyond the day’s sessions.
Participants described the event as a rare space where “honest and energizing conversations” replace industry small talk, allowing for breakthroughs that directly influence how care is delivered at the bedside and in residential settings.

Headline sponsor William Sachiti who is also founder of Athen AI Academy of Robotics

Headline sponsor William Sachiti who is also founder of Athena AI Academy of Robotics said “Everyone from Academy of robotics who attended and all the guests including many I know well for unrelated reasons genuinely enjoyed it .The venue was excellent and it felt very well organised,”he said.

Since inception, the Care Connect Show has grown in both scale and influence. The mid-Jun workshop, had keynote addresses from industry luminaries and dedicated networking opportunities designed to spark long-term partnerships.

Professor Dakshana also showered praises on the initiative;

“Careconnectshow was an excellent opportunity for me to learn from people in Social care .I rarely have the opportunity since I am from NHS so it was great to meet such valuable contacts from social care and to meet William Sachiti from academy of robotics hill product Athena Mind AI is amazing and will be an asset to the health care sector.”

Proudly Zimbabwean: Joy Bhila poses for a photo dressed in a dress with national colours

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The event has also garnered a reputation for its commitment to social impact, partnering with organizations like the Graced By God Charity to ensure that the event’s success contributes to wider community well-being.

Joy Bhila and Professor Dakshana have a Kodak moment at the event

A social worker who spoke to this publication said:

“As the industry continues to grapple with increasing expectations, Joy Bhila’s initiative stands as an example to the power of community. By moving beyond traditional networking and creating a space dedicated to “innovation that actually works.”.

He added :

“Bhila is not just hosting an event but she is helping to define the future of care in the UK.”

With the 2026 event having set a new benchmark for attendance and engagement, organizers are already looking ahead to how they can further expand this community of changemakers. For leaders within the sector, the message is clear: in an era of constant change, the Care Connect Show is where the future of care is taking shape.

Meanwhile, Sultana Ishaq-Pasha ex-Police Officer Inspector (pictured below) also spoke at the event.

“Great to be at the Care Connect Conference today “Thank you to Rejoice Bhila for an opportunity to meet industry pioneers and leaders,”she said.

Sultana Ishaq-Pasha, former senior law enforcement agent speaks at the conference.