Local carers honoured for 40 years of combined service

Four local care specialists have been honoured for 40 years of combined service to the Shropshire community. The Bluebird Care Shropshire Care Assistants have each served an amazing ten years delivering care to people in their own homes across the local Shropshire area. As over 400,000 professionals left the social care sector in the past year alone, these carers’ professional anniversaries are a particularly impressive feat!

The care specialists range in age from 40 to 64, and entered social care via everything from veterinary nursing to professional driving. Despite their differing backgrounds, the long-service heroes are united by their enduring passion for helping and learning from others, which has motivated them throughout their long careers in care.

Over the years, the care assistants have grappled with many different challenges, and seen the care needs of our Shropshire community change. They continued to serve the local community throughout covid-19, risking their own health to help support others during lockdown. They have also celebrated thousands of special moments and successes with the customers they serve.  In recognition of their outstanding dedication to the community’s welfare, the impressive carers will be gifted with flowers and a celebratory meal.

Claire Flavell, Director of Care at Bluebird Care Shropshire, said: “I am delighted to have reached this personal and professional milestone! When I embarked on a career in social care in 1988, I was full of doubt about my own ability. Witnessing my own personal growth, alongside that of my peers, has been a wonderful experience: I am incredibly proud of the way that this development has translated into outstanding care for our customers!”

Meryl Hughes, Senior Care Assistant at Bluebird Care Oswestry, said: “Whilst I am thrilled to be celebrating this anniversary, I am even more proud of the impact that I have had on the lives of my customers over the years. I can’t wait for another 10 years of learning about the lives of others and helping to make their everyday a little easier and brighter.”

Carole Gretton, Care Assistant at Bluebird Care Oswestry, said: “It is a pleasure and a privilege to have served the communities of Shropshire for as long as I have. Having started out as a carer in 1988, I have seen the community and its needs change greatly over the years. However, the daily miracle of human care and companionship remains exactly the same and continues to motivate me to give my best every day.”