Why I became a care assistant

At Bluebird Care Coleraine, our care assistants are the heart of our business. These are stories by our staff about why they chose to work in homecare, and allows you an insight into their day-to-day lives as a care assistant. Read some of the special stories our staff have to tell about their experiences working for Bluebird Care Coleraine.
If after reading our staff stories you are eager to learn more about us, please view our vacancies page or contact our friendly team on 028 703 56224.

Stuart's Story

Stuart joined the Bluebird Care Coleraine team in January 2016.  Stuart worked in many different industries before realising that his heart lay in wanting to help people.  He is currently studying towards his HNC in Health and Social Care Level 4, and in September he is hoping to continue his studies with a Social Work degree. 

Along with his studies, working at Bluebird Care Coleraine, life at home with his wife and 2 young sons, Stuart also volunteers with 2 local agencies as a befriender.  Stuart joined our team to gain more experience in the social care sector and ‘truly open his eyes to the needs and struggles people face on a day-to-day basis’.

Stuart thoroughly enjoys his work with the customers and team at Bluebird Care Coleraine.  He says ‘ I love the flexibility my shifts offer to keep up with my studies and my family, I find the work environment thoroughly enjoyable and I am greeted with a friendly smile in the office and a warm reception in the customers houses’.

Gwen's Story

Gwen has been working to Bluebird Care Coleraine for 3 ½ years. Gwen decided to start a new career as a care assistant later in life after her personal experiences spurred her on to take the step.

Gwen cared for her mother at home for 7 years after she suffered a severe stroke which left her requiring daily input from District Nurses and regular visits from care assistants. After her mother died, Gwen knew what she needed to do to ensure other people could stay at home like her mother.

As Gwen was a non-driver, her first step to becoming a care assistant was to pass her driving test and at 51 ½ years old Gwen passed her driving test and 6 months later she was working as a full-time care assistant to Bluebird Care Coleraine.

‘I absolutely love my job.  I love being out and about meeting people and building relationships with the customers.  I feel that I am giving something back to the community. Although some days can be tough, it is an extremely worthwhile job.'

I would recommend working to Bluebird Care Coleraine to anyone.  The customers are great and it offers me a flexible working schedule. The office staff are friendly, supportive, and approachable.'

In 2014, Gwen was nominated for the IHCP Community Carer of the Year and was shortlisted as a Finalist to attend the Awards Ceremony in the Ramada Hotel, Belfast.  ‘It was a great honour to be nominated for the award and represent all the carers in the community’.

Lyndsey's Story 

Lyndsey has been working in our Ballymena Team since August 2014.  All Lyndsey’s previous work experience had been within the Retail sector so joining the Bluebird Care team was a new direction for her.

Lyndsey joined our team as she knew that if she wanted to follow her dream of becoming a Nurse she would need to gain experience in the Health Care sector.  She applied to Bluebird Care as at her time of application, we had just expanded our area and we were very much ‘a new venture in the Ballymena area’.  Lyndsey said, ‘I chose Bluebird Care over other care companies due to the fact they were new to the area and having read their website I wanted to be part of their ethos of providing Community Care.’

Lyndsey says ‘I really enjoy the variation of customer’s needs that Community Care provides and I am ready for every challenge that my working day presents me.  I don’t feel that my job is just to complete the tasks in the care plan, I love being able to socially engage and interact with the customers.’

‘Working to Bluebird Care offers me flexibility, with 2 young children and my studies, I have been able to work part-time and maintain balance in all aspects of my life.  I feel that the Office staff are very approachable and accommodating, even when we are working alone in the community I am reassured that I have the support of the Office at the end of the phone.'