Reflecting on the year that’s passed and planning for the year ahead

By David Lynes, CEO & Founder of Unique IQ

It’s December. It’s minus 6 degrees as I write this. And it’s that time where we pause to reflect on the year that’s passed and focus in on our plans for the next.

It’s been a really challenging year.

I don’t think anyone’s had it easy in 2022. We’ve seen our partners in the care sector face ever deepening struggles with having enough people to care for those in need, with finances, and with the shadow of COVID-19.

Here at Unique IQ, the enormity of what we’re trying to do has become apparent. Our mission to give care providers the tools they need to deliver outstanding care is huge. And we feel a high level of responsibility to get that right.

But there have been some highlights.

It was a thrill (and something of a relief) to get IQ:caremanager into the hands of some of our customers for the first time – and to receive the early positive feedback that went with that. We know there is still work to do (and more eager customers to migrate) but we’re really grateful to those of you who are helping to shape the next generation of our care management software and to make it the best it can be.

There was also my own personal highlight of winning the inaugural 48 hour cycling challenge, raising more than £2,000 for The Care Workers’ Charity whilst I did it. It was an epic journey, starting out in Blair Atholl in the Scottish Highlands and finishing at Salisbury Cathedral – a distance of 648km as the crow flies (although many more kilometres pedalled!). Cycling alone through wind and rain during the darkest hours of the night was incredibly difficult, but the mental toll of the ride was the most demanding part of the challenge. However, thinking about the generosity of the people that had sponsored me and sent messages of support really kept me going.

I was so proud to have been able to raise a significant amount of money for The Care Workers’ Charity and I am pleased to say that Unique IQ is going to be supporting the charity on a more formal basis in 2023 – more news on that soon!

Looking forward to 2023 then, our plan is to keep continuously evolving our tools to help care providers deliver outstanding care. There are lots of positives in care technology right now and we’ll be continuing to develop partnerships so that we can utilise the great tech that’s out there. 2023 is going to be all about growing our partnership network and extending the toolset we already have in IQ:caremanager through third-party technologies. Because we know that’s what our caring partners want – a connected, collaborative care sector.

So a heartfelt thank you to those of you who have been a part of the journey so far. And it is a journey; much like my bike ride earlier this year, there have been some sections of smooth riding and other sections of bumpy road. I’m grateful to all of you that have continued to support us along the way. To all those who have been a part of Unique IQ this year – our people, our customers, our partners and friends – I wish you every success in 2023.