Our Unsung Hero

Julie Barker, Unsung Hero Award

Julie Barker has worked as a Care Assistant for Bluebird Care Wakefield and Kirklees for over 7 years, developing into the role of Mentor and Senior Carer.

Her nomination is for many reasons. Julie has established herself as a reliable care assistant as well as a strong leader. She approaches her work with a professional and personal enthusiasm. She continues to motivate and support her colleagues with a positive approach, always leading by example.

On one occasion, Julie immediately identified that a customer was in a diabetic state after he had injected himself with too much insulin. Julie took control and stayed calm. She contacted the emergency services and our office and stayed with the customer until the paramedics arrived. The paramedics praised Julie on her very quick thinking, which lead her to saving his life.

Julie always advocated for a customer that she lived close to. Contacting the council when her sink was blocked on numerous occasions, providing support in her own time with important tasks, and even making sure she had adequate basic food supplies on Christmas Day when she was running low.

Julie had gone out of her way for this customer when she vitally needed a GP call but, due to her dementia, the family had concerns that the GP would not get a true picture of the customer’s health, so Julie stepped in and offered to be with the customer for the call even though it was not during her working shift.

Her compassion for others and constant determination to give 110% means she has excellent relationships with all our customers. She strives to understand the needs of each customer on an individual level to deliver appropriate care with dignity and respect.

Colleagues have praised her as a positive mentor, and she has taken on the role of Lead Carer with new carers who come on board. They believe that she instils confidence in their abilities.

It is because of all these reasons Julie was nominated for the Unsung Hero award. It is such an honour to have her on our team!