Bluebird Care Shropshire

I started Bluebird Care Shropshire in 2009 having left my employment as Managing Director of a successful chain of Garden Centres shortly before. At that time I felt that my commercial skills and experience were well suited to the Bluebird Care franchise model and decided to be my own boss for the first time. It was a big step for me and a bit scary, but I was confident that I could make a difference in the Care Sector and wanted us to be the best in the county.

I had recently been very poorly myself having had kidney failure over a number of years and then needed a kidney transplant in 2007. My sister very kindly gave me one of hers, it is still going strong so must have been a good one!! I will always be very grateful to her for giving me such a precious gift, but also to the numerous people in the NHS and the care sector who helped me when I needed it. To be honest that care has never stopped and continues today.

So in starting Bluebird Care Shropshire I had an opportunity to repay some of the help and kindness that I was shown and set out to provide a high standard of care to the people of Shropshire who needed it. It was my chance to give something back. Through Bluebird Care, I am passionate about providing excellent care and that passion has not diminished over the years.

The culture of my business is about delivering excellent care to people in their own homes and going the extra mile for the people we support. A culture that is shared by the senior team in Shrewsbury and Oswestry and filters down to all of our care staff. That has enabled us to grow our service rapidly over the last 10 years. We have established a good reputation and work hard to maintain it. We are not perfect and things do go wrong from time to time, but we try hard to improve and learn. I am proud of what we have achieved together and look forwards to the next 10 years.

I have lived in Shropshire with my wife Rosanna for the last 28 years, raising our 2 young children here. They are both grown now: Gemma is a qualified Social Worker and manager with Action for Children and is mum to my two granddaughters Mia & Evie; Chris works in Bluebird Care managing our payroll and has recently started his own property development business.

I am a keen golfer and play at Church Stretton most weeks weather permitting and I enjoy spending time with my two granddaughters.

I have lived in Bayston Hill all my life and came into the care industry in 2013 at Bluebird Care. I started off as a care assistant, then became a Supervisor for the Shrewsbury area. I did a little bit of training in my time as a Supervisor and decided this was something I was passionate about; making sure the team were trained to a high standard. In April 2016, I became a training officer and now deliver the training for new and existing members of staff. I am always trying to develop my skills. I have just completed my Level 5 in Health and Social Care. I am the care manager here at Bluebird Care Shropshire, and I am so proud of the team and the outstanding care we deliver to our customers.

I have been working in the care sector since 2010. My journey started in domiciliary care and continued into residential and nursing homes, hospitals and one-to-one support packages working with challenging behaviour and brain injury.

My passion continued to be in domiciliary care, so in August 2014, I applied for a position as a care worker for Bluebird Care. In December 2014, I was promoted to a care supervisor and completed my NVQ level 3 in Health and Social care.

My role is mainly customer-focused focussed however, I also support new staff in their 12-week probation period. I complete supervision and observations weekly to support them in completing their care certificate. The areas I supervise include Church Stretton, Bayston Hill, Meole Brace, Hanwood and Ford. I complete reviews and reassessments of current customers. I also support customers with daily challenges they face such as ordering their medication or being unwell and needing a doctor's visit. I work closely with other health professionals to ensure that customers have care suited to their needs and to the highest standard.

I keep active by going to the gym and also enjoy walking in the Shropshire countryside and hills. I am very close to my family and spend a lot of time with friends. I love to see different parts of the world and like to have a couple of holidays each year if I can.

I started with Bluebird Care in October 2018. I moved to Shrewsbury in 2008 and have worked in care for the past 3 years, working with a wide range of people from learning disabilities to palliative care. I have obtained a level 3 health and social care diploma and wants to work towards a level 5 in the near future and hopefully complete with a degree. I am always looking to help people and make myself approachable at all times.

In 2012 I started my journey in the care industry as a care assistant. Not knowing where my interests would lead I soon discovered my interest for care. I joined Bluebird Care in February 2014 as an Apprentice. In May 2015 I completed my Level 3 NVQ in Business & Administration, which was when I was promoted to Manager's Assistant. Over the past few years I have discovered a real enthusiasm for working in the care sector, I always hope to provide our customers and care assistants with effective support and guidance as first point of contact in the office or over the telephone. As I really thrived ensuring the business is running smoothly and that our customers and care assistants receive excellent customer service, I wanted to gain more understanding within the domiciliary care sector. I completed my Level 5 QCF in Health & Social care in January 2018 which expanded my knowledge of the care setting.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family and friends especially when food is involved! I like to try and keep fit by walking and have a keen interest in the fashion and beauty industry.

I like working for Bluebird Care because I believe that we stand out as a care company with a difference, we are person-centred and FANTASTIC!

I am the Finance Assistant for Bluebird Care, which involves maintaining the company's Sales and Purchase Ledger accounts. I have 30 years of experience in accounts, working in a variety of industries.

I am a Mum to two boys, and we also have a dog called Harrison. In my spare time, I enjoy walking my dog, music festivals and reading.

What I love most about working at Bluebird Care is being part of a team that all work and support each other every day to make someone else's life better in every way we can.

I have worked within the care sector since 2002. I have delivered care to people in a number of settings including their own homes, within care home and on a live in care basis. I am passionate about providing outstanding care and ensuring all customers get the care they require delivered to the highest of standards. I started with Bluebird care in 2011. I have found my calling with palliative care, working with the elderly and frailty care. From starting with Bluebird, I have progressed from a part time carer on a moped, to the Business Development Manager, completing lots of other roles with Bluebird Care in between. This has given me a unique insight into the care sector from both a carer role, right through to a managerial role. I have completed several qualifications, my latest being a level 5 in health and social care leadership. I am always looking for further learning to upskill, to enable me to support and develop our team, this then ensures we provide outstanding care to our very valued customers.