Bluebird Care Clapham & Streatham

I’m sure like most people I had no experience of ‘home care’ until my dad George, whom I adored, became seriously ill. I’d always believed him to be invincible and it was a complete shock to me to find out he was a mere mortal like the rest of us… and so began a very emotional journey with some good and not so good care along the way and sadly for our family, no happy ending.

I experienced for myself the huge impact care from a stranger has, not only on the person receiving the support but the wider family too. And so I decided to stand up and be counted and that’s where Bluebird Care Wandsworth was born in 2011. My background lent itself perfectly to the skills I needed to establish an organization that could make a positive difference to others who live in the same community as me.

Rated by CQC as 'Outstanding' for Leadership and widely regarded in Wandsworth as the Marks & Spencer of care, expanding our ‘care family’ in 2017 to cover our neighbouring Borough of Lambeth was a natural progression in our ongoing journey. It’s unbelievably rewarding to spend each day making someone else’s and to have a team working for me who share the same values and standards.

Our care is different. It goes far beyond companionship and ticking off tasks. We are determined to give our customers the very best care at home available - the sort of care I wanted for my dad. We spend an enormous amount of time and attention in selecting the right people to join our team. Those who make the grade are trained to standards that exceed those of any other home care company in the area. They receive continuous training and development to make sure they meet the most exacting standards and offer the most effective care. We help our customers face many health challenges including all kinds of dementia, stroke, brain injury, MND, MS and Parkinson's among a full range of neurological conditions.

We are part of the nationally renowned Bluebird Care, the country’s market leader and foremost provider of private care-at-home.

This means that whilst my team is local, with the all-important ‘local’ company feel and friendly personal service, we benefit from the support structure of a respected and award-winning national organization with systems in place to ensure unparalleled standards of care – something a smaller individual local business couldn’t hope to match.

A mum with 2 young daughters I initially joined the team as a part-time administrator and then from there I was head of recruitment. I’ve grown with this family company as my girls have grown up and I am now a full-time Business Manager.

I’m still very much involved with our wonderful carers – many of whom have been with us for many years now– and I love seeing the journey they each take from the day they start working for us.

I am also the person who speaks to those enquiring about our service, a role I take incredibly seriously.

I was once that person not knowing where to start and needed help for my own mum and I know just how scary and confusing the whole process can be. I don’t want anyone to feel as overwhelmed as I did and so it’s a very personal thing for me that I give the very best advice I can.

It’s a privilege to do what I do.

Like many people, I switched my career to Health & Social Care after a member of my family had a very poor experience. In this case, it was my grandparent who was in a care home. My initial career started in solar energy design back home in Yorkshire but now I couldn't imagine working in any other sector.

I moved to London with my partner and joined a small complex care company initially as a Field Care Supervisor and then Area Care Manager. By studying independently at the same time, I ultimately achieved my goal to become a Registered Care Manager.

I feel lucky to have supported the people we care for across all levels from delivering care myself to operational management. This has given me a huge insight and appreciation for the hard work our carers carry out on a daily basis, and the support our customers need to remain comfortable and safe in their own homes.

It’s a privilege to lead such a successful and dedicated team and to share in our fantastic reputation for care as it should be.

I decided to become a professional carer over ten years ago now, having looked after my father who was very ill.

Because of my background, when I left school I knew that caring for others professionally was the right career choice for me.

I was initially a Health Care Assistant for Bupa Care Homes. I learned so much and quickly developed a real passion for caring for the most vulnerable in our communities. Because of this, I moved to The Royal Hospital Chelsea. I loved my time there and I’m so proud to have looked after our veterans too who we owe so much.

Whilst residential care homes work for some residents, so many of them don’t want to be there and I became evermore convinced that everyone should have the opportunity to remain in their own home and so I applied to Bluebird Care.

Initially a Care Assistant, I was promoted to Customer Supervisor. Shortly afterwards I was promoted again to Customer Services Manager which has been my proudest role to date. I love being a part of the Bluebird family and feel so happy to be making such a difference and keeping our Customers where they want to be – home!

I worked as a Carer for Bluebird care for almost 3 years. Initially, it was so daunting. I was terrified about whether I’d be good enough as I’d never worked with older people other than my own Gran. I remember Dana reassuring me at my interview " but you care for your children which is a great starting point."

At training, I realised the extent and scope of caring which was far more complex and important than I had ever imagined.

Having passed my training, my first day was with a Customer who was blind. When they praised me for my presence and said “You're doing a good job”, it was the biggest medal of encouragement.

Every day I went home knowing someone was happier, safer, cleaner, watered, and fed by me and nothing has ever been so rewarding other than the birth of my children. Previously, I was a Manager of five betting shops for 16yrs and felt proud I could provide for my children, but now I'm just simply proud of myself!

Working for Bluebird Care, I realised immediately that looking for Care Assistants was a much more personal experience than I had had before in my career.

While I am familiar with the reality of having someone you love looking after by less than committed strangers, I now have the opportunity to make a difference in this for other people.

Becoming a Care Assistant is not something that only training can create. Finding the wonderful people, who have the natural warmth, empathy and initiative to provide the support, encouragement and care that makes the difference to each individual, is challenging and intense.

I am usually the first contact and so I get to know every carer who comes to us individually. Our Care Manager conducts the second interview and then each successful person is invited to join us to train as if we were choosing for someone personally important to us.

I support the new carers during training and watch them become respected and vital members of our team. Training is ongoing and most visit the office often, sometimes for updates and sometimes just to chat in the warm, friendly atmosphere of the office.

It gives me an enormous boost that I have a part to play in enabling people to remain at home in familiar surroundings in a dignified way. That the ladies and gentlemen that I first chatted to by phone, email and at recruitment events are making such a difference to so many people’s lives.

Outside of work, I’m a busy wife and mum, spending much of my time supporting my two beautiful daughters with their sport, dancing and singing. My own interests include travelling, dancing, listening to music, reading and cooking!

I love being around family and friends and I include my work colleagues in that! I feel very lucky; I have a wonderful family and a great job.

After many years and various different roles within Retail, I decided I needed a new challenge and a job that made me feel like I was making a difference. My career in care had started!

Initially a Carer, I could never have predicted how much I’d love supporting others. In time I was promoted to Field Care Supervisor and then eventually joined the team here at Bluebird Care as Care Coordinator and have never been happier!

My career in care began when my brother-in-law was in the hospital on life support. We really thought we were going to lose him but amazingly he pulled through, was discharged and sent home where we started to care for him ourselves.

This was such a turning point for me and I changed career, starting out as a support worker whilst also looking after my brother-in-law and then as a carer for around 5 years. I was promoted to Field Care Supervisor and then Care Coordinator. I’m fulfilled in what I do and I do it to the best of my ability.