Real. Inclusive. Human.

We think too much of the language people use in and about social care reveals and shapes attitudes and ways of working that prevent all of us from living Gloriously Ordinary Lives. We believe that the language of social care should be ordinary. Everyday words about everyday life. And we think our language should be glorious. Wonderful words about flourishing lives.

Gloriously Ordinary Language is a growing movement for change.

It's not about policing language, banning words or creating a list of words to avoid and words to use instead.

It's not really even just about language. It's about getting to the heart of our humanity and keeping everything real, inclusive and human. 

About the programme

Our Gloriously Ordinary Language programme is not a training course - it's the chance to join a growing movement for change.

It's not about policing language, banning words or creating a list of words to avoid and words to use instead.

It's not really even just about language. It's about getting to the heart of our humanity.

The programme is an invitation to think and act radically differently. Through a mix of discussion, exercises and practical work, we'll expose the dominant language and ideas in abd about social care and how these trap us into ways of being and working with each other that are less than human. Then we’ll work together to help you reimagine the purpose of social care and your organisation, rehumanise language, and reconnect with what matters most - making sure that all of us get to live Gloriously Ordinary Lives.

Find out about the programme

  • "Today has been a massive eye-opener and has changed the way I think about the language we use in social care." (January 2025 programme)

  • "The challenge has been welcomed today, with lots of light-bulb moments." (May 2025 programme)

  • "Great to have space for reflection and discussion together. Such an important ingredient for change!" (September 2025 programme)

  • "As always, brilliant session, great subject, well organised and above all thought-provoking." (May 2025 programme)

  • "Forget everything you know about social care. You’ve been taught the wrong thing!" (January 2026 programme)

  • "Be curious and open. It’s not about substituting words, its about changing the way we think, talk about and treat people" (January 2026 programme)

  • "Eye-opening - please do it! Words that come from the heart always make life glorious" (January 2026 programme)

  • "Processing a lot about how I have been trapped by other people’s language." (January 2026 programme)

  • "I wanted to pass on immense gratitude for the eye-opening experience I have had. Thankyou both for the ordinary work you do which is by no means ordinary. I will take what I have learnt on into my role, both in front of and behind a desk" (London ADASS programme Spring 2026)