Bluebird Care Westminster & City of London’s Care Assistant Shortlisted For Prestigious Awards

Bluebird Care Westminster & City of London and their care assistants have been nominated for two different categories in the prestigious Mayfair Times Awards.

Edith Mukandori has been nominated for the ‘Unsung Hero’ category, whilst the Bluebird Care Westminster & City of London franchise itself has been nominated for the ‘At Your Service’ Award, for a company or person that puts service for the local community at the heart of its operation.

The final ceremony is due to take place in London in January 2022, where the winners will be decided by a panel of judges including Stephen Fry, David Gandy, and representatives from Fortnum & Mason, Grosvenor, and the Royal Academy of Arts.

Among a contested field of colleagues who have all gone above and beyond their call of duty throughout the pandemic, Edith Mukandori has demonstrated outstanding performance in keeping customers within the local Mayfair area as safe as possible.

Edith is a live-in carer, moved in with Elizabeth, a customer of Bluebird Care Westminster & City of London who has lived with Alzheimer’s for three years. In March 2020, when COVID-19’s prominence in the UK became clear, Edith immediately shielded with Elizabeth and in doing so, isolated them both for over a year. To maintain Elizabeth’s safety, Edith worked long hours and worked 418 days out of a possible 456.

Meanwhile, Edith’s colleagues within the wider Bluebird Care Westminster & City of London team have been recognised for putting their service to the local community at the heart of their operations. The team of Care Assistants helps residents of Mayfair avoid isolation, maintain their independence, increase their wellbeing, and progress their health with individualised, unique care plans.

Bluebird Care Westminster & City of London organise art classes and book clubs for their customers. For the last eight years have also hosted ‘Silver Sunday’ events for the elderly community - an event that aims to tackle isolation and loneliness. Customers, friends and family, and the elderly community of Westminster can turn up and enjoy music, play games, meet new friends as well as take part in cooking classes.

Throughout the pandemic, Care Assistants escorted customers to step-free access vaccination centres and carried out post-vaccine appointments to manage discomforting symptoms. And on Christmas Day, Krisztina, the Registered Manager, and the office staff drove to customers’ houses to reduce transmission and deliver food packages and presents to those shielding throughout the pandemic.

Thomas, a close friend of a Bluebird Care Westminster & City of London customer, said:

"Our friend loves the carers, who are friendly, empathetic, dedicated, and reliable. From being withdrawn, isolated, and paranoid, she is now a different person; thanks to the care she receives. Living miles away, it has been difficult to manage the needs of our friends and visits have been impossible. The excellent communication provided by Bluebird Care has been a godsend, and the use of the OpenPASS application provides daily reassurance. From management to care, our experience has been positive."

Peter Slough, Managing Director of Bluebird Care Westminster & City of London, said: 

"Edith's dedication to keeping Elizabeth safe has been nothing short of spectacular. People working in care were recognised by the general public in the pandemic, but I don't think people understand the amount of hard work, effort, dedication, empathy, energy, and care given by people like Edith who didn't see her own family in over a year in order to make a vulnerable adult safe in their own home. It's very inspiring to work alongside all our staff and hear the amazing stories such as Edith's relationship with Elizabeth."