‘We’ve come such a long way and it’s humbling to look back on the progress we’ve made’
Deborah Stock with some of the Care Connection Partners staff at the company’s first drop-in surgery.(Image: Care Connection Partners)
A healthcare recruitment agency in Hull which was launched by a family which battled life-changing health problems is celebrating its fifth anniversary. Care Connection Partners was founded in 2021 by Deborah Stock after facing three family traumas in quick succession.
Her son Maxwell suffered two major brain injuries in separate accidents, her mother Tres, suffered a devastating stroke, and her great niece Eliza was born with cerebral palsy. She says the care they desperately needed and received revealed shortcomings in the healthcare sector, which then inspired her to launch her own recruitment business.
After starting from scratch in February 2021, Care Connection Partners now has an average annual turnover of £5m, and has provided 1.3 million hours of agency care through its meticulously-trained staff across Yorkshire, Coventry and beyond.
Now, reflecting on five years of business, Deborah says Care Connection Partners is working to change often negative perceptions of healthcare recruitment agencies. The team holds drop-in surgeries for staff and partners to build on existing relationships, create new ones and make improvements.
She said: “We’ve come such a long way in the past five years, and it’s humbling to look back on the progress we’ve made. We have overcome such devastating times as a family, especially with what happened to Maxwell, and for the business to achieve such success is amazing.
“I’m so proud of our team, all of our staff and the trusted relationships we’ve built with our partners across the country – and Maxwell now works as part of our team. The partners we work with have massively important and busy jobs, so they don’t need the extra headache of wondering whether agency staff we provide will turn up trained, and on time.
“We pride ourselves on ensuring we train our staff to the highest standards, so they can fit seamlessly into any care setting, complement existing teams and provide care correctly. We listen, we act and we move forward with honest and transparent relationships, which makes us very proud of the journey we’ve been on so far.”
The team was awarded the Growth Award at the Hull and East Yorkshire Business Awards 2024 and the Best for Recruitment, Training, Retention and Motivation award at the prestigious national Care Sector Supplier Awards 2025. The business was also shortlisted in the staffing section of the Supplier of the Year category at the National Care Awards in November last year, and has now been shortlisted in the National Family Business of the Year Awards 2026, which takes place in June.
Deborah said Care Connection Partners looks at new ways to support clients and enrich communities, including hosting a car day for young adults with severe learning disabilities and autism, supporting care home summer fairs and fundraising events, and sponsoring local groups and individuals who make a difference.
Over the years, the company has also baked upwards of 1,500 cupcakes for fairs and events, delivered 500 Christmas hampers and provided 500-plus cuddles through therapy dog Martha, an 18-month-old Sprocker Spaniel, which brings joy to care home residents across Yorkshire in free visits.
Deborah added: “Being a multi award-winning business is something we’re beyond proud of. To be recognised for such important values and actions both locally and nationally means we’re doing it right – and that’s what matters. Everything we do is underpinned by our #feelthelove ethos, which is demonstrated at every level of our business. It means excellence in customer service, in relation to each other and to our partners.
“It’s the foundation on which our business is built and it’s a daily commitment to kindness, teamwork and going the extra mile – both for each other and for clients. We’ll keep moving forward and keep improving. Here’s to the next five years and beyond.”