2022 (Quarter 2) Updates
04/08/2022
Celebration of New spring beginnings
On the 28th of March 2022 we celebrated for spring by welcoming our Care Assistants to the office for some refreshments and games.
We had plenty to celebrate with some exciting changes such as:
- New management
- Renovated office and training room
- Care assistant Pay rises
- Mileage increase
- Carer Appreciation award scheme
- Joining the Care friends App
New management – Ellen Bennett
We are so pleased to announce that of our longest servicing staff members Ellen has been promoted to Care Manager. This seemed like a natural progression since Ellen has pretty much worked all the roles Bluebird care has to offer. From Care Assistant in 2015, to Senior Care Assistant, to Supervisor then to coordinator and then finally Deputy Manager before the recent promotion.
One of your many qualities that we admire about Ellen is her ability to just get stuck in, she goes where she is needed and always with a positive can-do attitude. All her colleagues speak highly of her and that is down to the fact that she is always willing to help, and no question or dilemma is ever too much for you.
I am grateful to be given the opportunity to be able to watch this company grow over the last 7 years and I am excited to continue overseeing and ensuring that our customers are given an OUSTANDING service care and that out care assistant we valued and supported.
Ellen Bennett – Care manager
Renovated office and training room
Our office is not just an office, it’s a place where our Care Assistants can call home and can come in any time for a chat, during their breaks for a cup of tea and for some extra support and training when needed. And therefore, we wanted to make it as welcoming as possible and decorate it in a way that reflects who we are.
We brighten up the place with a touch of paint, added some wall stickers with your values and some motivational words for our staff. We even added a fun element with some colourful LED lights on the stairs leading to the training room and finally a TV that constantly displays lovely moments shared from our customers and carers.
Care assistant Pay rises and mileage payment increase
On the 1st of April 2022 we increased our Care Assistants wages from £10.30 to £11.50 and their mileage increase to £0.40. This was an 11.65% increase in their wages and 33.33% on their mileage.
This was a way to thank Carers commitment, passion, and loyalty to their customers. And most important we understand that the recent increase e in living costs and fuel will have had an affected on our Carers and we hope this increase helps them pour a little.
Wow! Great surprise. Thank you so much. It was great much appreciated.
Carer Appreciation award scheme
We launched the Carer Appreciation scheme in April, and the aim is to recognise Care Assistants who go that extra mile for their customers and team.
Nominations are submitted by Customers and Care Assistants. And then at end of every month the votes are counted, and the Care Assistant with the most Reviews will be the winner for that month. The Winner is invited to the office and presented with an achievement certificate and gift.
I believe this scheme is important because it’s nice for our Carers to know that they are appreciated.
Joining the Care friends App
Care Friends is a mobile App for job referrals. It lets us post job vacancies on the app, which sends a notification to our Carers who have downloaded the app.
Our Care Assistants can then share the job vacancy via other apps on their phone, such as Facebook, WhatsApp, or email. The actions that staff take on the app earn them points, which they can collect and later cash in.
We felt it was important for the carers to get involved in growing their team whilst received the added monetary rewards for them and increase in staff numbers for us.
