Here’s a personal account from one of the team at Bluebird Care:

6am- The alarm tune starts ringing from my mobile, I slowly open my eyes and see the sun shining through the window.

I press snooze, have a stretch and log into my electronic call monitoring system to remind myself of what I’m doing that morning.

6.10am- I rush into the shower and wake the neighbours with my morning singing.

6.40am- Uniform and ID badge on, gloves and aprons ready.

I chuck some bread in the toaster, make a flask of tea and grab my lunch box and I’m out the door.

6.55- I meet my colleague at our first care visit which is a double up call and exchange hello’s.

7am- We tag ourselves in at the customers home and let ourselves in using the key safe.

I check the care plan again, I like to ensure nothing has changed and we are aware of what care we need to deliver that morning.

I also check the previous logs from the night time carers to ensure there is nothing we need to action or be aware of this morning.

7.05am- Nora is fast asleep in bed and we wake her gently, wishing her a good morning.

Nora is so happy to see us both and we all have a lovely conversation, general chit chat and pleasantries.

Nora needs to be hoisted on all transfers and requests to have a shower this morning.

We ensure our hands are washed, gloves and aprons are on and that the hoist battery is fully charged and in a safe working order to use.

Afterwards we prepare Nora’s breakfast, prompt medication and ensure the house is left clean, tidy and safe then update the care notes.

7.55am- Before leaving Nora we ensure she has everything needed until the lunch time carers arrive, hearing aids are in, glasses on plenty of snacks and fluids and the TV is on at Nora’s favourite channel.

We wish Nora a lovely day and she thanks us for all our hard work.

8.15am- I arrive alone this time to see Bob at his front door waiting for my arrival, Bob looks happy to see me and wants to tell me about the morning news and how he’s heard it’s going to be horrible weather at the weekend.

Bob suffers with anxiety and the weather makes him question how he’ll be able to walk his dog (Sandy) as the pavements may be slippery.

As Bob is already washed and dressed I wash my hands, put gloves on and make him a cup of coffee and I spend 10 minutes reassuring him about the weather and some options to ensure his safety when walking Sandy in the bad weather.

This reassures Bob and he seems relaxed and is now glad of the idea of rain as his plants in the garden need a good drink.

After catching up on the care plan and previous care logs I make a start of the domestic duties required.

Bob likes to help me with the dusting where he can.

Before leaving Bob thanks me for reassuring him about the weather and we wish each other a good day.

10.30- I have a 20 minute break so I pop to the local cafe for a take away coffee and sit in my car and listen to the radio and have a sing song.

10.50- I arrive at Ruth’s house and knock on the door.

Ruth is a new customer that we are providing care for temporarily whilst she’s recovering from an operation on her elbow and is in a cast.

Ruth answers the door and stretches out her arm to show me, Ruth has had her cast removed and is absolutely over the moon.

We both cheer with excitement- Ruth tells me all the little things she’s been able to do herself this morning- even buttoning her blouse up. I’m thrilled for Ruth as I know how much she struggled not being able to do things for herself.

11.30- I’m walking up the garden path to Mr Bird and my stomach is doing flips.

Mr Bird is a rather challenging customer and we do not always know what to expect when we visit.

I let myself in and find Mr Bird in his lounge, he’s watching television and I’m greeted with a grunt.

I check the care plan and daily logs and the previous carers put a wash in the machine so I hang that out.

I make cheese and crackers as requested and a small apple juice.

Mr Bird tells me to leave as I’m not needed anymore and I leave swiftly.

I write it up in the daily logs and call my care manager in the office to let them know why I didn’t stay the full time.

I suggest they update his family on his mood.

11.55-15.00- I spend the next four hours providing care, companionship and domestic duties to a variety of customers.

Customers who make me smile, customers who make me laugh, customers who make me cry. Cry you ask?

Cry with happy tears, cry with sad tears and cry with frustration.

But the laughs and smile are far more.

15.30- I get home, I put my comfy clothes on and I start to unwind- I look back in disbelief at everything I have done today.

Not only have I been a carer I have been a cleaner, a pharmacist, a cook, a confidant, a friend, a councillor and a dog walker.

The best part of it all though.... is I cannot wait to do it all again tomorrow.