Devon Bluebird wins South West Carer of the Year
Published: 27/11/2017
Debbie Foxford, one of our very own Devon Bluebird Care Assistants, has Carer of the Year in the Regional Finals of the Great British Care Awards 2017.
Debbie Foxford, a Devon Bluebird Care Assistant based in our East Devon Care Hub, has won Carer of the Year Award in the Regional Finals of the Great British Care Awards 2017.
We are incredibly proud to announce that one of our very own Devon Bluebirds has won Carer of the Year in the South West Finals of the Great British Care Awards 2017.
Debbie Foxford, a Devon Bluebird Care Assistant, was announced as the Regional Winner at a ceremony in Bristol at the weekend.
Debbie has worked with Bluebird Care East Devon, Exeter and Exmouth for two and a half years, and is based from our Care Hub in Honiton serving the East Devon community.
She said, "I worked in the hospitality industry before and have always enjoyed working with people. I never felt nervous about becoming a Care Assistant. That's down to two things - I love working with people and I had great training with Bluebird Care."
Debbie has a Bluebird Care Certificate and has passed her NVQ2. She has taken a number of courses with Bluebird Care, including handling and medication, manual handling, food and hygeine and first aid. Currently studying for her NVQ, specialising in dementia, she recently won Bluebird Care East Devon Care Worker of the Year in Will & Sara Flint's annual company Summer Awards. This is due, her Registered Manager Kirsty Warren says, due to her "hard work and never saying 'no.'"
“Sara and I always feel incredibly proud of our team of Devon Bluebirds who, since we launched in 2011, have now delivered over 650,000 hours of care to the communities we serve in Devon. However, ever since Debbie joined us she has shown all the characteristics of a truly outstanding Devon Bluebird – kind, courteous, consistent in her care and her work - but above all, naturally caring and empathetic. We can’t wait to take her to Birmingham in March to the Nationals and represent our region in these important care sector awards.”
- Director William Fint
- Director William Fint
Debbie works from 7am to 4pm daily. "My work centres around my customers' needs that day. Our visits can be as long or as short as people want or need. Mornings are about helping my customers get out of bed, wash and dress, and have breakfast. There's light housework to be fone and helping prepare lunches. Often there's medication to administer and, of course, I always make sure there's time to have a chat and catch up with their news. Despite there being a pattern to my day, each day is always differnt and always brings its unique challenges and rewards. My clients are the reward. I've developed some great relationships with the customers and I honestly care about them greatly."
Would she recommend other people should consider entering the care profession?
"Absolutely. With the right attitude, it can be a hugely rewarding job."
A huge congratulations to Debbie. We will be supporting her as she goes through to a second round of judging in February 2018 for the National Great British Care Awards in March.
To begin your own career journey as a Devon Bluebird, visit our vacancies page here or get in touch with Rachael Mattocks on 01404 814 880/ eastdevon@bluebirdcare.co.uk
