Coronavirus: Mental health first aider for home care workers made staff feel happy in pandemic

During the coronavirus pandemic, home care workers reported feeling happy at work despite the challenges of 2020, thanks to an on-site mental health first aider and other wellbeing efforts by Bluebird Care Leeds North, according to a workforce poll.

Staff at home care provider Bluebird Care Leeds North reported feeling “incredible” levels of job satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic and 100 per cent felt they had a good work-life balance.

The staff also said their hard work was always recognised and all felt supported by the local care provider which promoted staff wellbeing with an on-site mental health first aider, an employee assistance scheme and free counselling.

The on-site mental health first aider is a fellow staff member who has competed Mental Health England training. Their role includes using a five-step action plan to assess people in crisis, listen and communicate non judgementally and give support and encourage the person to seek appropriate professional help.

The home care provider also rewarded staff with a COVID-19 bonus to thank them for their resilience in the pandemic. Last May, the home care provider launched the Team Wellbeing Fund, which gives each colleague £50 to spend on their own wellbeing. Purchases made so far include gardening equipment, books and exercise equipment.

Sheree Jenman, owner of Bluebird Care Leeds North, said: “We are delighted with the overwhelmingly positive response to our 2020 people survey.

“We work hard to ensure that we are a consistently mindful and caring employer that provides meaningful and rewarding opportunities for our team. We feel it’s important to promote as widely as possible, the skills and expertise of people who work in the care sector and we will continue to promote the care workforce passionately”.

During the pandemic, Bluebird Care Leeds North said it responded to the threat of COVID-19 by ensuring it “proactively procured plenty of PPE so that their team had more than adequate supplies”.

While waiting for initial guidance from PHE, Bluebird Care decided to supply their staff with enhanced infection control kits including sanitiser, disposable hand-towels, antibacterial hand-wash, disinfectant wipes, antibacterial hand cream, antibacterial garment spray and additional uniforms. These were supplied in addition to standard PPE such as gloves, aprons and face masks.

Sheree Jenman added: “Despite the significant challenges the pandemic has brought, it has also provided us with an opportunity to shine and highlight the importance of not only our own workforce but that of all care and support providers in the UK, doing their absolute best to support the most vulnerable members of our society.”

To find out about jobs in the home care sector near you click here

click here for more details or to contact Bluebird Care Leeds North