Summer is coming around quickly, and we pray for the weather to come around as well…
Throughout this newsletter we will explore how we stay safe during the hot weather, dementia awareness week and how our carers are shining in making our customers smile as well as the importance of attending this months Carer drop-ins.
Join us by reading along to this months newsletter!
Welcome to the June 2024 edition of our Bluebird Care newsletter!
As summer swiftly approaches, we are hopeful for delightful weather that allows us all to enjoy the warmth and sunshine safely. In this issue, we delve into crucial topics such as staying safe in hot weather, raising awareness for dementia, and celebrating the exceptional efforts of our carers.
Our carers continue to go above and beyond, embodying the spirit of care and compassion that Bluebird Care is renowned for. Their dedication not only makes a difference in the lives of our customers but also brings a smile to their faces, creating a ripple of positivity in our community.
I am particularly thrilled to announce our new partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society, which underscores our commitment to becoming specialists in dementia care. This UK-wide agreement will raise awareness of Alzheimer’s in local communities, support fundraising efforts, and enable us to become leaders in dementia care. As part of this initiative, we will offer certified training to our Care Experts and office teams, covering dementia awareness, responding to distressed behaviors, and meaningful engagement. Our goal is to ensure that every single colleague becomes a Dementia Friend, making a significant impact on the community.
We are also honored to introduce our new brand ambassador, Dame Arlene Phillips. Known for her role as a judge on ‘Strictly Come Dancing,’ Arlene is a passionate advocate for dementia awareness, having personal experience with Alzheimer’s through her father. Her dedication and public presence will undoubtedly enhance our efforts to raise awareness and support those affected by dementia. Arlene was present for the official launch of our partnership on May 31st and will join us again at our September conference to celebrate our achievements.
It is heartwarming to see our carers’ commitment to charity and community causes. I am proud to highlight that some of our dedicated carers have agreed to participate in the Great North Run. Their participation not only raises vital funds but also demonstrates the incredible spirit and resilience of our team. Additionally, our York team recently completed the Trek26 walk for the Alzheimer’s Society. This 26-mile walk across the North York Moors is a testament to their dedication to raising awareness and funds for a cause that is so close to many of us.
Hot off the press, I am extremely proud to announce that four members of our team have been nominated for Regional Awards within the Bluebird Care Network. Congratulations to Rob Mackins, Vicky Gardner, Joe McKenzie, and Fatou Camara, who are all up for awards to be held on July 3rd in Crewe. This recognition is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and living by our values here at Bluebird Care. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and wish them the best of luck!
Moreover, I extend a warm welcome to our new team members, including Kymberley Bays, our new Payroll Officer. Their expertise and enthusiasm are valuable additions to our Bluebird Care family, and I am confident they will contribute significantly to our continued success.
As we navigate through this vibrant season, I encourage everyone to stay engaged and share their thoughts and suggestions. Your feedback is instrumental in helping us improve and grow. Let’s continue to work together, support each other, and make a positive impact on the lives of those we care for.
Thank you for your unwavering dedication and hard work. Here’s to a wonderful summer ahead!
A big thank you to all carers who have received appreciation this month for their outsanding efforts. Its one thing providing care but its another going above and beyond, Well Done!
“Bernadette was amazing. when customer needed medical assistance she rang family then the acute team who advised calling 999. When family got to property Bernadette had rang 999 again as customer had deteriorated and said 1 hour is too late. Hospital confirmed he may not of had the same outcome if Bernadette didn’t push for an ambulance sooner.”
Well done to you both, you are the definition of going above and beyond
“I attended a CHC meeting at SFW home on the 30th of May. During the meeting Louise and Chantelle brought Stephen down and supported Joyce to answer questions that were asked about Stephens health and medication. Joyce was very upset and praised the girls for knowing Stephen’s care needs inside out and said “She couldn’t cope without them both and they are her rock”. It was evident that both Louise and Chantelle understand the needs and health issues of Stephen.”
Thank you Louise and Chantelle for always going above and beyond!
Mia and Amanda received a box of chocolates and card yesterday from a family member who sadly passed away to thank them for supporting her and caring for the customer in his final days. She also left a box of chocolates and thank you card for the office to thank us for all the support given to both her and George.
Well done to Zoe, recently a customers family said Zoe understands their dad’s needs well and they are happy with the care she provides.
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We are excited to announce the upcoming carer drop-in sessions later this month, providing an excellent opportunity for all staff to connect, share feedback, and discuss their experiences. Your input is invaluable in shaping the future of our business, and we want to hear your thoughts on what is working well and where we can improve. Attendance is paid, so you will be compensated for your time and contributions. Don’t miss this chance to make your voice heard and help us create a better workplace for everyone. We strongly encourage all staff to attend and be part of this collaborative effort.
Carer drop in sessions in Newcastle & South Tyneside
24th June – 13:00 at Head Office, Boldon Business Park
26th June – 15:00 at NEWCASTLE VENUE TO BE CONFIRMED
27th June – 13:00 at Head Office, Boldon Business Park
Carer drop in sessions in York
25th June 2024 – 10:00 York Office, Devonshire Court
25th June 2024 – 14:00 York Office, Devonshire Court
How to Confirm Attendance:
To streamline the attendance confirmation process, we kindly ask all staff members to respond through the Eventbrite platform by following the links above to the drop in you are attending.
This event is not only an opportunity to enhance your knowledge but also a chance to connect with your colleagues and strengthen the bonds that make Bluebird Care a supportive and caring community.
We look forward to your active participation and hope to see you there, either in person or virtually!
We are immensely proud and excited that four of outstanding team members have been nominated for Bluebird Care Regional Awards within the Bluebird Care Network.
A huge congratulations to Rob Mackins, Vicky Gardner, Joe McKenzie, and Fatou Camara, who have all earned this remarkable recognition. Their nominations are a testament to their exceptional hard work, unwavering dedication, and embodiment of the core values we uphold at Bluebird Care.
The awards ceremony will take place on July 3rd in Crewe, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to see our colleagues receive such well-deserved acknowledgment. Rob, Vicky, Joe, and Fatou have consistently demonstrated excellence and a commitment to providing the highest standard of care, making a significant impact on our team and those we serve.
We are incredibly proud of their achievements and wholeheartedly wish them the best of luck as they prepare for this exciting event. Their accomplishments inspire us all and reinforce the importance of our mission and values.
Take advantage of our £150 refer a friend fee!
Can you think of anyone who is kind, caring and compassionate? Can you think of anyone who would like a career in care? Can you think of anyone who would be an asset to our team?
Well, this could be your opportunity to take advantage of our refer a friend programme. If you refer someone into the business and they receive a job offer and successfully pass probation you will receive your £150 refer a friend payment!
Anyone who you think is up to the job can apply via our company website, when they complete the application form it asks if they know anyone who works at Bluebird, this is there time to state this!
https://www.bluebirdcarecareers.co.uk/locations/newcastle
https://www.bluebirdcarecareers.co.uk/locations/south-tyneside
https://www.bluebirdcarecareers.co.uk/locations/darlington-south-durham-and-yarm
Vicki received a thank you card and gift from one of our new carers in training this week. Thank you Vicki for always providing fun and engaging training that leaves our carers feeling ready to provide premium care!
A health care professional has prescribed compression stockings for your customer to help with the problems they have with varicose veins and leg ulcers. The stockings apply pressure to the customers leg(s) to help their veins carry blood back to their heart. Before prescribing compression stockings, the health care professional will assess the customer to make sure this is the right treatment. This assessment should have included checking the blood flow using a Doppler device. Please contact the Deputy Manager in charge of the customer’s case if there is no record of the assessment in the customers documents on OTH, as this will need to be followed up by their manager.
The embedded video details the reasons why compression stockings can be prescribed, how to apply the compression stockings correctly and how to remove them safely.
DO
• Be careful applying and removing over areas of hard skin that can damage hosiery.
• Ensure legs are dry before putting on hosiery, to protect skin and garment integrity. If the skin is fully intact and in good condition, consider patting legs dry to absorb excess moisture.
• Contact the customers Care Manager if compression hosiery is not fitting well, so that this can be followed up with the customers GP.
• Follow the manufacturer’s wash and care instructions. Note that some garments can be washed as normal at lower temperatures although labels suggest hand washing.
• Air dry hosiery to maintain elasticity unless stated otherwise.
• Contact the customers case manager if application aids have not been provided.
• Remove hosiery and inform the office/case manager, if the customer reports there is any numbness to the toes.
• Contact the office and/or the GP immediately if the leg suddenly swells, there is redness or warmth of the skin, new numbness or tingling in the toes, fatigue in the leg or pain that may increase when standing or walking. These could be signs of a potentially life-threatening blood clot or localised Cellulitis infection. If the swelling increases so that the hosiery does not fit, removal of the hosiery is necessary.
• Remind the customer not to roll or fold down compression stockings during wear; it hampers circulation and increases the risk of a blood clot.
DON’T
• Apply emollients just before applying hosiery, this can make them more difficult to apply.
• Cut holes in the stockings or cut off the feet.
• Apply extra pairs of compression hosiery that have not been prescribed.
• Double layer compression hosiery unless advised by a health care professional.
•Wear compression hosiery that has been prescribed for someone else.
• Keep old hosiery after new pairs have been prescribed; this avoids wearing overstretched or ill-fitting garments.
We spread a lot of awareness this month for dementia action week, looking at facts and figures and signs and symptoms, its important that we stay educated on a topic so close to our customers hearts.
Did you share our posts?
We also created a blog, which explored all the different types of dementia to raise awareness.
We have been enjoying the customer and carer imagery recently, they have been doing amazing on social media and truly show the love between the customers and carers. This is what Bluebird Care represents and its been amazing seeing
Previously there has only been one national Trustpilot account for Bluebird Care. This caused problems when gaining a true reflection from branch to branch. However, the Trustpilot account has now been split up and we all have access to our own location profile, enabling us to have our own local Trustpilot score, which feeds into the overall national score.
This is a massive opportunity to let our Bluebird Care branches shine! Leave us a 5-star review by following the links below.
“I work with villages, single women, young people in probation teaching them or sponsorship their scholarship and to develop knew skills and to help them back to the society through a changing lives programme. Elderly people without family and shelter, widows, Albinos who are grave danger in Africa. Currently l am working in Guinea with 56 kids in the orphanage who have high demand in needs. And 98% of my salary go to them. These kids are my world, they are all rejected or abandoned by their families just because they are different and they are albinos, or parents are too poor to care for them.”
Its important that as a company thatis based around helping people and going above and beyond, that we use our best efforts to raise awareness for an amazing charity, which Fatou has taken over, when her parents sadly passed away. The charity is named ‘Fondation Docteur Mamadou Camara’ after Fatou’s father.
Fatou kindly gifted bags to the office which were made by one of the eldest girls in the orphanage. Her name is Aminita Faye and is from Senegal, she joined the orphanage at the age of 12 and is now 20 years old, thriving in the hands of Fatou.
It has recently been Dementia Action Week, and what better time to officially announce that Bluebird Care UK has formed a partnership with the national charity, The Alzheimer’s Society. Dementia is a condition that is close to the hearts of many of us at Bluebird Care and our customers we support, and we are delighted that the two national brands have secured this long-term partnership.
This UK-wide agreement will:
Dementia Friends
Dementia Friends is an Alzheimer’s Society initiative aimed at changing perceptions of dementia. Training to become a Dementia Friend, whether through face-to-face sessions or online videos, will empower our team to make a significant impact in the community. Our goal is clear: “Every single colleague, whether currently working with us or joining in the future, will become a Dementia Friend.”
Dementia Friends Ambassadors
Bluebird Care UK are in discussions with Alzheimer’s Society to engage with their Dementia Friends ambassadors. These regional volunteers raise awareness through events, workshops, and social media. Although these roles are currently paused, efforts are underway to reinstate them, and Bluebird Care UK will provide updates as they become available.
Specialist Training
Dementia is a significant challenge for many of our customers. In partnership with The Alzheimer’s Society, Bluebird Care UK will offer certified training to equip our Care Experts and office teams with the necessary skills to support those living with dementia. This training will cover dementia awareness, responding to distressed behaviours, and meaningful engagement. The goal is to roll out this program across our entire network, ensuring Bluebird Care have trained specialists in each of the businesses.
Fundraising Month – July
As part of our partnership, Bluebird Care UK have committed to raising £50,000 annually. July will be Bluebird Care’s UK fundraising month, with a coordinated effort across the whole of the UK. The aim is to present a cheque to an Alzheimer’s Society representative at the September conference, celebrating the support and commitment. The fundraising committee will coordinate regional activities, and Bluebird Care UK will share more details soon.
Our New Brand Ambassador
Bluebird Care UK are honoured to announce that Dame Arlene Phillips has agreed to be our first Bluebird Care brand ambassador. Known for her role as a judge on ‘Strictly Come Dancing,’ Arlene is also an ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society and has personal experience with Alzheimer’s through her father. Arlene was present for the public launch on May 31st and again at the September conference.
The Official Launch
On May 31st, Bluebird Care UK officially launched the partnership, marking the first steps towards becoming the UK specialists in dementia care. Alongside partners, colleagues, representatives from the Alzheimer’s Society, and Dame Arlene Phillips, Bluebird Care UK will signed the Bluebird Care Dementia Pledge. This pledge is the commitment to raising awareness of dementia across all UK communities. Following the signing, Arlene sat down with several of Bluebird Care’s UK Care Assistants to discuss a variety of topics, including her own experiences with dementia.
Bluebird Care UK are excited about this partnership and the positive impact it will have on the community and the lives of those living with dementia.
Our carers are making us proud, being mentioned in South Shields Gazette, this will help them gain coverage for the amazing cause.
“Carers Louise, Chantelle, Abby and Marius, who have looked after Stephen for the last three years, will be pushing Stephen in his wheelchair along the iconic half-marathon.”
Hello, and welcome to this month’s newsletter and updates.
RECRUITMENT – Following on from last month, I am pleased to announce that Helen Rutter has joined the team as our fourth and final Deputy Manager. Helen comes to us with a great CV, her brackground in complex care will be another positive addition to the teams experience and expertees. She will be largely covering the complex and South Tynesdie customers and has already made a positive impact in the business. I’m sure you will join me in making her feel welcome. We now have a full compliment in the Operations team with Courtney as Coordinator, Kayleigh covering the End-of-Life service and some complex customers, Amy, largly overseeing South Tynesdie Dom, Sharon looking after Newcastle dom and some complex customer and Helen complements the team in her position.
We continue to look for good candidates to join us at care assistant level and we have seen some excellent people join the team of late. We hope these new recruits with infuse the team with new experinece, new energy and new ideas, helping the teams get bigger and better.
OVERTIME AND EXTRA SHIFTS – With the summer months arriving, the holiday season comes too. Obviously, we do all we can to aprove your holiday requests and strive to limit the impact this has on our customers. We appreciate the extra work people do for us in order to achieve this and know many of you go that extra mile to ensure we don’t let our customers down! For this, I thank you.
That being said, we have had some instances where people have accepted and picked up extra shifts and days of work but have then handed these back to Courtney after changing their minds. Can I just make you all aware that, when accepting a shift, regardless of if it’s because you need extra work or if you are helping the business out by covering someone else, once accepted, it is booked and confirmed and can should be honoured like any other shift or day. There may be some who feel because it is overtime or extra, that they can hand it back without following the correct process. Unfortunately this is not the case. Handed back calls of any type have a real consequence on the business, the customers and essentially, to you the carers. So can I ask, when picking up any additional work, that you fully consider your choice and only commit to it if you are certain you can honour that commitment. Thank you.
AWARENESS OF FALLS – Sadly, of late, we have seen a couple of our customer experience some nasty falls at home. These can be devistating for the customer and quite scary to be involved in or discover when you arrive at your call. Falls can occur anywhere and be caused by many factors. Illness and infections often contribute as does poor nutrition and hydration. Medical conditions such as Parkinsons, demetias, vertigo and postural drop hypo tension (low blood pressure). The important thing for us is to recognise risks, report them and where possible address them and make them safe and if we encounter a situation where a fall has occurred, to respond in the right way.
AVOIDANCE is key – when you are in your placements/calls and visits, you should always be scanning your environment to check for hazards. Hazards are things that could cause an accident or incident to occur. Things like clutter around the home, worn out carpets, slippy surfaces, poor lighting, electric cables and extension leads. You should be considering could that be tripped or slipped on? Can it be removed and or made safer? Do I need to remport this to my manager for further advice? Also consider how your customer is presenting. Are they well, has there benn any changes to their presentation or capabilities? Are they less mobile or have less energy? Do they seem confused or muddled? All of these things could be a warning sign something isn’t quite right. If they are impaired in anyway, then you need to consider if they can do the things they ordinarily would, safely and without increased risk of falls. If in doubt, get advice. If you see a clear and identified risk to them or others, then advise them to stop and stay safe then get advice!
Otherwise, if your customer has not shown signs of shock or injury, you can consider supporting them to their feet. If they have a falls pendant or have signed up for a care call service, you can use their system to call for assistance in getting them back to their feet. Again, stay with them until help arrives. This is a good time to call the office and report the incident, when the customer has been made safe and you are awaiting help. A member of the team may come out and help, or cover your next call to allow you to stay where you are needed.
We should never lift a customer from the floor, regardless of how strong you may be or how small they are. A lift can injure both the customer and carer and if there has been any unidentified injury, such as a hip fracture, moving them can complicate the injury. Techniques such as the chair technique can be employed with the customer but you should only ever try these if you feel able and confiednt and have been trained and they are able to do so safely. You should have covered such techniques in your mandatory training. If you feel that this is something you need further training with, then let the team know and we can set this up for you.
The customer must be able to regain their feet with only minimal physical assistance and verbal prompts and instruction. If they can’t do that, then again, call for help. Once help has arrived or after your custome rhas been able to regain their feet, you can assess the situation and gather your thoughts. Reporting is crucial to help us avoid future falls, so make sure you contact your manager or the on call service and ask to make a accident and incident report.
If you have any concerns about your competency to react and deal with a fall, then reach out to the team. Also, if you feel there are risks or concerns about one of your customers, then again, reach out so the correct care and assessments can be arranged. Our aim is to keep you and our customers as safe as we can!
That’s all for this months newsletter -Keep doing what you do in delivering the best care to our customers and the right support to your colleagues and team members.
The York team took part in the trek26 North York Moors for Alzheimer’s society to raise money and spread awareness for people affected by dementia.
I want to take a moment to reflect on our progress over the last month and share some updates. Firstly, I want to express my deepest appreciation for those who participated in our May “Refer a Friend” incentive. Your referrals have significantly impacted our recruitment efforts, helping maintain the excellence in service that Bluebird Care York is known for. Please continue to spread the word about the rewarding career opportunities, as a strong and dedicated team is the cornerstone of our success.
In our ongoing effort to enhance our social media presence, I encourage everyone to continue sharing posts and updates on Teams or directly with management, ensuring customer consent is obtained. Your engagement is instrumental in showcasing not only what we do but our commitment to exceptional care. Together, we can build a vibrant and supportive community both online and offline.
We were fortunate to have Rob Mackins with us in the York office last month. His expertise in staff and customer compliance has been invaluable, providing us with critical insights and guidance. Rob’s presence has undoubtedly strengthened our operations, ensuring we continue to meet and exceed regulatory standards. I want to thank Rob for his dedication and contributions, and I am confident that the knowledge and practices he has shared will have a lasting positive impact on our team. Rob will continue to visit and support the York office going forward.
I would also like to take a moment to welcome back Antonia Nix, who has returned to Bluebird Care York. We are all happy to have you back and look forward to working with you. Additionally, I am pleased to welcome our newest carer, Paula Roach, who comes to us with a wealth of knowledge in the care industry. I am sure the contributions you both bring will help us continue to improve and grow our service, ensuring the continued delivery of premium care.
We are also excited to welcome our new coordinator, Matthew Winship, to the team. His role will be pivotal in ensuring smooth operations and exceptional care delivery. We look forward to the positive impact he will undoubtedly bring to our team and services.
On Saturday, the 25th of May, Hattie Jobson and I completed the 26-mile walk to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s, raising £250 in sponsorship. We both want to thank everyone who sponsored and supported us; we had an amazing day filled with some inspiring people.
Congratulations to Tara Winn on reaching a 10-year milestone with Bluebird Care York. This is a remarkable achievement, and we are incredibly grateful for your dedication and hard work over the years.
Let’s maintain our focus moving into July on delivering the highest standards of care and following last month’s newsletter, lets recall the importance of feedback and suggestions. We value your input and encourage you to share. Feel free to reach out directly or utilize the suggestion box located at the front door of the office.
As some people may be more at risk of becoming unwell when in the sun, you must take extra precautions, which you can do at home. If you would like to read more about how you can stay safe during this weather, whilst enjoying it, then read more.
Hot weather is enjoyable to many and can increase serotonin levels for many, but it’s important to stay safe and protect yourself.
Hot weather can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, lung problems and other diseases. Older people, babies and young children are more likely to be unwell from hot weather because their bodies are less able to regulate temperature. People with underlying medical conditions can also be vulnerable to the effects of hot weather.
Many of the harms linked to heat exposure are preventable if a few simple actions are taken, as shown above.
Anyone can become unwell when the weather is hot. People who are at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell include:
Heat exhaustion occurs when the body overheats and cannot cool down.
Common symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
Heatstroke is where the body is no longer able to cool down and the body temperature becomes dangerously high.
Common symptoms of heatstroke include:
How to cool down if you or someone else has symptoms of heat exhaustion:
If you are more physically active during the day its imperative that you are drinking more fluids especially water. You can tell you are fully hydrated when your wee is a pale straw colour.
If you are not a fan of drinking water, diluted juice and milk is also a great choice to cool you down. High sugar drinks like fizzy drinks, smoothies and fruit juice usually dehydrate the body, so it is best to avoid them if you can.
When travelling on public transport you should make sure to have a fluid for the journey.
Its vital to keep your home cool so you are comfortable during warmer months, there are many actions you can take to do this. Take the following steps to do so:
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