Care at home provider Bluebird Care has praised its care workers for continuing to reach vulnerable customers throughout one of the worst early winters on record.
The franchise, which has locations nationwide, says ongoing investment in staff training, staff commitment and responsive support for its 96 offices means that vital service kept going during the big freeze.
One of the hardest hit areas has been Edinburgh, where Bluebird Care covers the entire city – employing 55 care workers.
Bluebird Care Edinburgh franchise owner, Jane Perry (pictured), said: “With temperatures dropping to minus 17C, repeated heavy snowfalls, no public transport and schools shut, care workers were stretched to the limit.
“This has been an extremely challenging time for both customers and care workers and we’ve been surviving by having a convoy of care workers in each area, doubling up and driving around to visit our most vulnerable customers together. My husband, John, and I have been out most nights transporting our workers and making sure they are home safely.
“Several care workers walked miles in the treacherous conditions to reach people, especially when the public transport stopped operating. We are trying to cover as many vulnerable customers as is humanly possible, keeping in mind our concern for our care workers’ safety in these extraordinary conditions.”
Perry’s customers and their families are grateful for the support. Rae Phillips from Edinburgh, said: “The heating had gone off in Mum’s home. Her care worker, Karen, had got in touch with the gas company and had arranged for an engineer to visit, however they could not come for a couple of days. I was able to talk her through the process of restarting the boiler, which she managed. A thousands thanks.”
Bluebird Care says its office nationwide coped well with one of the heaviest early snowfalls for 17 years and is more prepared than ever for the remainder of winter.
Managing Director of Bluebird Care, Paul Tarsey, said: “Many of our older customers rely on their care workers to help them get washed and dressed in the morning and without them they just can’t operate – it is a vital service. Many are putting the needs of their customers first and we are extremely grateful to them for their commitment.”
Published: 22 December 2010
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