Welcome to Bluebird Care Careers in Richmond & Twickenham

David Mitchell and Maria Leonard are long-time residents in East Twickenham.  David is a native Scot and Maria is from Liverpool: we’re well known all over Richmond as we’re keen cyclists and it’s our preferred method for getting around! We both worked in IT for many years where David held senior management posts and Maria worked as a trouble-shooting consultant.

Our decision to join Bluebird Care came following our own personal experience of our parents getting older. It’s not easy for ‘the sandwich generation’  to juggle a busy job, a growing young family and older relatives who need help with living day to day, especially if, like us, you live some distance away.  We looked, unsuccessfully, for a caring, reliable, agency that could help out with the day to day tasks that our parents were finding less easy to manage.  At the time (over 12 years ago now) we identified that there would probably be plenty of people like us, with careers and families elsewhere, whose parents are still living in Richmond Borough. Also, as we’re getting older ourselves, we started to wonder what would be in place here when we get to the stage where we need a little help!

We’d come across Bluebird Care when we were doing our searches: we recognised that they hold many of the same values as us. We decided to join them and provide a service in Richmond that we would want for ourselves and our families and we’ve spent the past years working hard to provide what we believe is the highest quality service at a reasonable price. We’re very proud that we have gained an unequalled reputation with the healthcare professionals and third sector organisations across the borough through working closely with them to provide the best and most appropriate support for our customers, time after time.   During this time we’ve also managed to recruit and employ a fantastic team – hard working, trustworthy caring and professional. Most of our careworkers live in or around the borough – providing that extra bit of local knowledge that makes all of the difference.

it was a big change for us, moving from high tech industries where people often take second place. We love working in Social Care, with passionate, caring, involved people with the opportunity to make significant change for the better in peoples’ lives every day. You could say, we're hooked !

I have nearly 30 years experience in health and social care, starting my career as a carer in residential care for Richmond Social Services, I became an assistant manager and then moved on to working in social day centres and dementia day care.

I then started to work for Surrey Social Services, as an advisory officer and in care management roles, before becoming a registered manager for domiciliary care. I have worked in domiciliary care ever since in various roles.

About eight years ago I took up an assistant managers role for a private domiciliary care provider, and discovered a real enthusiasm for training others in all aspects of health and social care.

I joined Bluebird Care in July 2015, and found a team who are committed to providing high quality care to all their customers, I hope to provide carers with meaningful, relevant training and learning opportunities, I have a particular interest in Safeguarding and Dementia care.

I hold the following occupational qualifications: Registered Managers Award, NVQ 4 in Care, A1 Award, V1 Award and CTTLS. I update my knowledge regularly tend to buy too many shoes. 

Originally from NZ, worked in a Care Home with hospital as well as a special needs unit and self-contained cottages in the complex. I was responsible for 40 residents, senior supervisor on shift.

I moved to UK in 2011 and have been working for Bluebird Care since May 2012. I’ve come up through the ranks: worked as a carer, support supervisor then care supervisor. i recently successfully completed my Level 5 in Health and Social Care. 

I look after live in care as well as working across the borough. I enjoy the interaction with customers, carers and colleagues and working in a team. I have a love of helping and caring for people and enjoy being able to make a difference in the lives of older people as well as families that require support.

When I’m not working I enjoy travelling, spending time with family and friends, football.