Case Study: Siham's Story

Meet Sahim, Registered Care Manager at Bluebird Care Greenwich and finalist of our Registered Manager of the Year Award at our 2023 Bluebird Care Awards. 

 

 

 

We looked after Lillie when she was at the end of life, and then we looked after John until he passed away. They had never had children and they were very close to each other. It was always just Lillie and John. John was never able to get over her death. The house was full of memories. Her clothes were still hanging in the wardrobe, her toothbrush was in the bathroom. Every time he mentioned Lillie he cried.  

 

When John was approaching the end of his life, I refused to allow him to be alone overnight. He had nobody to stay with him as he deteriorated quicker than expected. His family members lived far away. I called a friend and borrowed a mattress. I took it to John’s house, and put it on the floor, and I stayed with him overnight. I had to be at work the following morning. 

 

John had a pillow with his wife’s picture on and I made sure I put it next to him. I didn’t know if he could hear me, I just kept talking to him and I said goodnight. John passed away peacefully that night. His family were so grateful to me for ensuring his final hours were not spent alone. I would never let anyone die on their own. I feel it is a privilege to look after someone in their final hours. 

 

I started working for Bluebird Care in February 2016. I was a stay-at-home mum for 14 years, I have two children who are now 23 and 24. As they grew older, I found myself with time on my hands. I thought I needed a part time job. I became a carer for another company in 2014 and never looked back.  

 

 

There are six people in the team in the office and we have 58 carers. It’s great to have that responsibility. I’m here to make sure everybody is safe and happy.  

 

 

Without my colleagues I wouldn’t be able to do this job. Without the carers and the office team, we wouldn’t be able to function. They’re great, each of them; they really care. It’s very important to me that the staff are supported. I like investing time in people when I see they have potential. I always look for somebody that likes to care, you need to have that passion.  

 

I still enjoy being a carer. I go out and deliver care to the customers when we’re short staffed and when I’m on call. I like the interaction with the customers, I like being part of the team. The customers feel like family, and I feel they’re my responsibility.  

 

For carers week I hosted a tea and cake day for all the care assistants to attend. I served Bluebird Care themed cupcakes to show my appreciation and gratitude to the carers. It’s great to do something nice for them. 

 

Jeremy had a stroke and is in a wheelchair. He lives on his own, he needs a microwave and can’t pick it up himself. I’ll go and pick it up from the shop myself and take it to him.  

 

Lina is my age, she had a stroke, she has become bed bound and is nonverbal. I had to find a way to communicate with her. ‘I’m going to ask you questions and you blink once for yes and twice for no,’ I told her. It worked. That’s how I knew that Lina liked Abba. I played Abba music on my phone, and she started laughing and smiling- a big, massive smile. When I saw her laughing, I thought ‘yes, I’ve achieved something today.’