Working for Bluebird Care, I realised immediately that looking for Care Assistants was a much more personal experience than I had had before in my career.
While I am familiar with the reality of having someone you love looked after by less than committed strangers, I now have the opportunity to make a difference in this for other people.
Becoming a Care Assistant is not something that only training can create. Finding the wonderful people, who have the natural warmth, empathy and initiative to provide the support, encouragement and care that makes the difference to each individual, is challenging and intense.
I am usually the first contact and so I get to know every carer who comes to us individually. Our Care Manager conducts the second interview and then each successful person is invited to join us to train, as if we were choosing for someone personally important to us.
I support the new carers during training and watch them become respected and vital members of our team. Training is ongoing and most visit the office often, sometimes for updates and sometimes just to chat in the warm, friendly atmosphere of the office.
It gives me an enormous boost that I have a part to play in enabling people to remain at home in familiar surroundings in a dignified way. That the ladies and gentlemen that I first chatted to by phone, email and at recruitment events are making such a difference to so many people’s lives.
Outside of work, I’m a busy wife and mum, spending much of my time supporting my two beautiful daughters with their sport, dancing and singing. My own interests include travelling, dancing, listening to music, reading and cooking!
I love being around family and friends and I include my work colleagues in that! I feel very lucky; I have a wonderful family and a great job.
