Investing in the impact economy

At NPC Ignites 2026, we are exploring what it will take to build a stronger impact economy: one where capital, policy and delivery are better aligned around long-term social value. 

This guest blog from Unity Trust Bank looks at one practical example of that challenge: how finance can support care homes. It considers what values-aligned, place-aware capital can make possible for organisations delivering vital services in their communities. 

How do we ensure that vital social infrastructure has access to the right kind of capital to meet growing demand and strengthen communities for the long term?

This is one of the defining questions facing the UK’s impact economy. Finance alone cannot solve social challenges, but when capital is aligned with community needs and long-term social value, it can play a vital role in supporting the organisations that people rely on every day.

Across the UK, essential services are under pressure and local communities are feeling the strain. Public finances alone cannot meet this demand, which is why the impact economy has become central to conversations about national renewal. 

Unity Trust Bank, a UK-based bank which supports organisations that create positive impact, has been exploring these themes through its Capital You Can Count On campaign. 

This series of reports examines what matters most to the public and how banking can support long term resilience. Through YouGov polling and sector research, they have been asking people which services feel most under strain and where investment is most needed. The message is consistent: people want finance that strengthens the places they call home and supports the services they rely on. 

Care homes and National Renewal

The first report, centred on care homes, highlighted the growing pressures facing the sector. People are living longer, demand is rising and provision is uneven across the country. Rural and coastal communities are at particular risk, with shortages emerging in places where older populations are growing fastest. Without action, these gaps will deepen. 

Unity’s research aims to open the conversation around recognising care homes as critical national infrastructure. Care homes are a clear example of why the care sector sits within the impact economy. Alongside providing essential support for older people, they create social value, generate local employment and strengthen community resilience. Their impact extends beyond care provision, helping families remain connected, supporting local economies and contributing to the wellbeing of places.

Part of the solution is place-based funding. Investment that understands local needs, supports local operators and strengthens local resilience. This is the model Unity represents; a bank with purpose and a model that can be scaled. When organisations choose to bank with Unity, they know their deposits are being put to work supporting communities and funding critical services.

A story of renewal

The experience of Y&M Care in Surrey shows what the impact economy looks like in practice. In 2019, directors Mekala and Sena Satheswaran transformed the fortunes of a failing care facility in Surrey by adding a second property to their portfolio thanks to six-figure care home financing from Unity Trust Bank. They initially purchased Old Wall Cottage Nursing Home, a home rated as ‘requiring improvements’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Working with care home consultants Fulcrum Care, they refurbished the home, expanded capacity and invested in staff development. Within a short period, Old Wall Cottage became a ‘Good’ rated home and a respected part of the local community. 

Their ambition grew and they sought to acquire Westcott House in Dorking to complement their offering. Today, more than 100 staff work across the two homes, providing dementia care, nursing care and stability for families in the area. 

Mekala describes their mission simply:

We want to make a difference to people’s lives and ensure that their later years are as comfortable and meaningful as possible. So, it’s important that our bank is community orientated and not just about the finance.

Looking ahead

Unity has always believed that a bank with purpose has responsibilities that extend beyond its loan book. Capital You Can Count On is designed to start a conversation about what it will take to sustain the services people depend on. By widening this conversation, the impact economy can be strengthened to meet the challenges ahead and improve the lives of communities. 

As the UK looks to renew and strengthen essential social infrastructure, the challenge is not only unlocking more investment but ensuring that investment is purpose-driven and responsive to local realities. When finance is aligned with social impact, communities are better equipped to thrive. 

Unity Trust Bank’s Chief Impact Officer, Joshua Meek, will be exploring these themes further as part of the NPC Ignites 2026 programme.

Join us to hear more about how finance can better support the organisations and communities driving the impact economy.