Inspiring staff stories can help recruitment drive

Having previously worked in the Netherlands, India and Israel, Lynne Holford-Stretton joined Bluebird Care North Hampshire & West Berkshire in 2013.

Bluebird Care North Hampshire, which is rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission, has run numerous campaigns to promote working in the care sector and now hopes to inspire potential employees with success stories of staff members. 

Highlighting the rewarding opportunities and development routes, Bluebird Care is telling the story of Lynne Holford-Stretton, a former shorthand typist who started at the company as a care assistant. 

Having previously worked in the Netherlands, India and Israel, Holford-Stretton joined Bluebird Care North Hampshire & West Berkshire in 2013 and is now operating as a care champion – assisting supervisors and customers on a daily basis. 

“I love working at Bluebird Care, because no two days are the same and you get to meet some incredible people from all walks of life,” she said. “Listening to their stories is simply fascinating. I love making a difference and hearing people say thank you and appreciating what we do as carers.

 “There is always an assumption that you must be a specific type of person, but I have worked with carers that have been bus drivers, IT workers, and even someone that was a retired pub landlord. All you need is empathy, compassion, and lots of common sense with a real sense of commitment to helping others.

“I would say to anybody who is thinking about becoming a carer ‘do it’, you will surprise yourself with how capable you are. You will meet some fascinating characters that you would never otherwise met, there will be days when you’ll laugh but maybe some when you may cry but I wholeheartedly recommend it.”

Kim Teagle, manager at Bluebird Care North Hampshire and West Berkshire, added: “Lynne is the perfect example of someone who has the maturity that comes with having had a variety of professional and life experiences, as well as raising a family of her own. 

“These are great qualities to bring to the role of a care assistant and we actively search out this type of candidate as we find that with our experienced support team, we can offer the right kind of environment to retain Lynne and many others like her.”

You can find out more about joining us as a care assistant by simply visiting our careers site