Public vote now open

A heart-warming photograph taken by Rhiannon Kirkham from Pencoed, Bridgend has been shortlisted in a UK-wide competition by leading home care provider Caremark, as part of its ‘What is Care?’ photography competition.

Launched to mark 20 years of Caremark championing home care in communities, the competition asked the public to capture what care means to them in everyday life, from small gestures to big moments. Out of hundreds of entries, one finalist was chosen from each of the UK’s 12 regions, following a rigorous judging process carried out by Caremark’s head office.

Rhiannon is representing Wales with a photograph of her daughter, Zoe, caring for her best feline friend, Buddy. The image is now part of a nationwide public vote on social media to determine the overall winner of the competition. The photographer of the winning entry will receive a £1,000 luxury getaway.

Rhiannon talks about the photo:

“Zoe was two in this picture, and Buddy was 14. From Zoe’s very first moments, these two were absolutely devoted to each other and had a really special connection. It shows the gentleness of care of my toddler caring for an old animal.

“Now, Zoe is ten years old, and Buddy is sadly no longer with us, but this photo reminds us that they were best friends, and it’s a photo we now treasure. I think that care isn’t always dramatic – it’s about quiet, everyday kindness, like the bond between Zoe and Buddy.

“Both Zoe and I are so excited to have our photo chosen as a finalist in the competition. It’s a lovely tribute to Buddy as well. If we win, we’d take the chance to have a family trip away and visit friends and family we don’t get to see very often.”

Voting is open to the public via Caremark’s Facebook page and will close at 9am on 29th September 2025. The entry with the highest number of public votes will be announced as the winner shortly after voting closes.

Emma Scholes, Caremark’s Director of Marketing, said:

“We’ve been genuinely moved by the creativity and thoughtfulness behind so many of the entries. With such an incredible standard from across the country, narrowing it down to just 12 finalists was tough because each photograph carried a personal story, so judging them was emotionally challenging. We felt that Rhiannon’s photograph stood out as a unique reflection of what care can mean.

“This competition marks 20 years of Caremark championing care in communities across the UK. It’s about shining a light on what care looks like in everyday life, from small gestures to life-changing support, and how differently people experience and express it. Each finalist has brought a unique perspective, and it’s been inspiring to see care interpreted so personally through their lens.

“We’re excited to now share these images with the public, celebrate the value of care in all its forms, and see who the UK public chooses as their overall winner!”

For more information about the competition and to view the finalists’ photographs, visit: www.caremark.co.uk/whatiscare