Home care worker labours for months crocheting blankets for the people she cares for

A home care worker has laboured for months crocheting blankets for the people she cares for and has so far made 10 blankets.

Natasha Perry, who works for Bluebird Care (Worcester and Wychavon) was taught to crochet at the age of seven by her great grandmother.

She says: “I find it very relaxing; being able to create a blanket for someone is a pleasure. Knowing it is appreciated is priceless, something unique and creates memories.”

Ms Perry, who has worked for Bluebird Care since 2014, came up with the idea of making blankets for the people she cares for a few years ago.

“I was doing a regular two hour care call for a lovely lady. She used to love watching me crochet and create my blankets. I was making a blanket for a customer of mine, she loved it and asked if I would make her one. I made her a pastel rainbow blanket and when she passed away her family knew how much it meant to her and placed it in her coffin so that she could be buried with it. That meant a lot to me,” she said.

Since then she has gone on to make nine more blankets.

Ms Perry who was a finalist in the Bluebird Care awards, was commended by the company as a ‘fantastic ambassador’.

A spokesperson for Bluebird Care said: “She consistently works 25 hours per week with an excellent attendance record and is one of the first to pick up extra calls and frequently gives up free time or holiday to help in emergencies.

“She is loved by customers and carers, always receiving outstanding feedback and regularly goes beyond the call of duty.”

One time Ms Perry arrived at a home and found the lady she cared for, distressed and in floods of tears due to a blocked toilet and flooded bathroom.

She calmed her down and dealt with the immediate flooding and then in her own time remained to unblock the toilet, ensuring it was working smoothly and everything was clean and tidy.

Ms Perry also cared for an elderly man with dementia who lived on his own, with no family support. His diet was very poor and in order to ensure he had some good healthy home cooking, Ms Perry regularly prepared extra food at her house for him. A healthcare professional described Ms Perry as ‘amazing and a major reason why the man lived alone for so long’.

Ms Perry says she is motivated by the people she cares for, adding “it is who I am, I’m always putting others first. In my mind going above and beyond the call of duty means doing a little bit more than my job actually requires.

“Putting a smile on customers faces and knowing I’ve made difference is priceless, I may be the only person they see in a day.”

click here for more details or to contact Bluebird Care Worcester & Wychavon