Bluebird Care launches campaign in light of increased need for care assistants this winter
Research carried out by Age UK* has found that many older people feel their physical and mental health has deteriorated due to isolation and reduced opportunities to socialise and be physically active over the last couple of years.
According to the study, many older people have experienced loneliness, low mood, decreased health, increased pain and lack of support over the last couple of years. This in turn has affected their appetite and diet, causing malnutrition and self-neglect.
Leading homecare provider Bluebird Care Islington & Hackney has launched a campaign to recruit more care assistants this winter to help tackle loneliness and isolation in the local community.
Michael Hackett, Director of Bluebird Care Islington & Hackney, commented:
“Older people are going to need more support than ever before to get through this winter.
In recent years there has been an increase in the number of older people that have experienced loneliness and isolation. As a care provider it is often our care assistants who offer companionship and a friendly face for our customers who otherwise would spend a lot of time on their own.
By increasing the number of care assistants we employ, we can look at what further support we can offer our customers and help reduce the number of those who are experiencing loneliness and a decline in health.”
Bluebird Care is keen to hear from anyone who is looking for a new challenge and would like to find out more about becoming a care assistant this winter.
Fiona, a family member of a customer at Bluebird Care Islington & Hackney said:
“The last six months have been a really difficult time, we needed the extra support. I don’t know what we would do without our lovely care assistant. She really looks after mum, giving her the attention that she needs. We call the team at Bluebird Care our Blue Angels! Thank you all!”
A recent nationwide carers’ survey, which produced almost 1,000 responses across 50 Bluebird Care offices in the UK, found that staff praised their employers for their leadership and management during the covid pandemic. The survey led to some wonderful written feedback from team members on their confidence in Bluebird Care as an employer. With many stating that Bluebird Care was the ‘best’ employer.
If you’d like to know more about working for Bluebird Care and how you can support older, vulnerable people in the community please contact Bluebird Care by calling 020 3589779, emailing islington@bluebirdcare.co.uk, or by visiting their website www.bluebirdcare.co.uk/islington-hackney
