Bluebird Care Wandsworth

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.

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.

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 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 needing 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.

My interest in care began at school where I studied Health and Social Care. After continuing on to college and completing my NVQs, I began working in a care home. It didn’t take long to realise that working with people in a care home wasn’t for me – they should be in their own homes.

My great-grandmother, unfortunately, had a bad experience with care, and this made me want to prove that not all care is of a poor standard. I began working as a carer for Bluebird Care and worked my way up. I certainly feel I am fulfilling my ambition. I am really proud of the work that we all do here and we are most certainly proving to people that high-quality care is out there.

I'm now Customer Services Manager. It’s hugely rewarding to make such a difference to others. I truly enjoy my work and am thankful to Bluebird Care for allowing me to do what I love.

I had worked in retail for some years when my son had an accident and needed my help, and that was when I realised I'd been in the wrong profession all along!

I have been with Bluebird Care for some years now and initially started as a Carer and then worked my way up. Making a difference in someone's life is just so rewarding and you get to meet the most interesting and wonderful characters. It's all about people which I love.

As Care Supervisor, I lead our Bluebird Care rapid response Home from Hospital discharge service, working with the CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group). I go out and assess the needs of the person leaving the hospital and ensure everything is ready for them to come home and start their road to recovery with us. I love it!

This part of my work as a Care Supervisor is all about teamwork with my beautiful Bluebird Care family.

Organisation is always challenging but every day is different.

Just to know l can make someone happy by getting them back into their own environment and see them with a smile on their face means l have done my job well.

Seeing the difference we make to people - seeing the change in their faces when we look after them and give them what they need, reassuring them.

It’s a privilege to be able to contribute towards supporting people to stay in their own homes, staying where they want to be.

It’s my life, I love what I do!

I’ve wanted to help others for as long as I can remember.

When I was little, my grandad suffered a stroke. He lost mobility in his left hand and my siblings and I would visit him as often as we could, encouraging him to do the hand exercises his doctor had prescribed. Little by little he gradually regained his strength.

This was almost magical for me. As a young girl, I had already learned the lesson that caring for my grandad and believing in his abilities – when he hardly believed in them himself – really paid off! The desire to help others has been a lifelong passion ever since. I feel it’s my vocation and I’m proud of my ability to feel empathy and connect with people. My career with Bluebird Care is a dream come true for me and my enthusiasm remains as strong as ever.

I am proud to represent the company well and uphold its high values.