There’s never been a better time to care

The global pandemic has changed the world in many ways. Ways that we never thought possible at the beginning of 2020. Many of us have lost jobs as a result of suffering and sadly irrecoverable industries. Those industries that have endured the worst being retail and hospitality.

Staff in these industries have exceptional and useable customer service skills and many are putting them to good use by working in care with Bluebird Care. We’re seeing an influx of new types of people from all walks of life, from varying different backgrounds and careers making the switch to care.

We’ve seen an increase in the number of retirees coming back into work as care assistants, those still with so much to give, many having a desire to ‘help out’ and do something worthwhile.

At Bluebird Care we have been celebrating some of our many team members across the country, each with their own journey into the industry. We hope to encourage those who may not be considering a career in care to reflect on whether joining the sector could in fact be for them.

People like Derek and Meg, who, although retired, care for others in the community that they live.

Derek

Meet Derek: 

“I was 74 and a grandfather when I decided to become a carer. It was something I thought I’d be good at. 

As an older carer, I’ve experienced life and my customers can relate to me, I understand the way they’re thinking. I’m working in an area that I’ve lived in for most of my life. Some of my customers were neighbours years ago, and lived just around the corner. They knew the same people that I knew. 

I live on my own and the people I care for are friends to me. I look forward to seeing them and they look forward to seeing me. I have a young attitude to life, inside I feel about 50. 

I think that working helps to keep me young. It feels as though I have a purpose in life. I’m helping people who are worse off than I am, and that’s what I find rewarding.”

Meg

Meet Meg:

“I joined Bluebird Care in 2019, the year after I retired as an office administrator.

The people I care for are like family to me. I like to think I’m a caring person. I enjoy supporting vulnerable people who can’t do things for themselves. I really do get satisfaction from that.

I have worked in offices for most of my life and there’s not always that job satisfaction. When you are a carer you can see you are making a difference in people’s lives. I certainly get a lot out of it, that’s for sure. 

I like the learning I do as part of the job. I don’t think you should ever stop learning in life. And I like the freedom of being out and about. The other day I stopped the car to have a sandwich. ‘This is just lovely,’ I thought.”

Both Derek and Meg have a wealth of life experiences and an understanding of people and situations. Shared experiences with our customers will give you an immediate rapport which means that you’ll get as much out of caring as our customers do. You will also benefit from flexible hours that can fit around you and your own life.

You can find out more about a role with Bluebird Care here

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