1. Introduction

The introduction explores the rationale for this book: to situate the voices of care workers at the centre of research on British care homes. It argues that bringing together media and ageing studies perspectives can challenge representations of care work and care homes. It explores the approach to research design and positions the combination of multiple qualitative methods as an innovative approach to media, ageing and care home studies. The chapter outlines the structure of the book and concludes by highlighting that the way carers and care homes are thought about and represented must urgently evolve if we are to ensure a better quality of care for older people in care homes in Britain and to provide better support for those who ‘do’ care.