Betty's Story

I decided to become a carer because I wanted to look after people. My husband Philip and I were running our own business, making headstones, when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. The youngest of my three sons was ten at the time.  

During the operation to remove the brain tumour Philip had a stroke and was paralysed on his right side. I closed the business look after him and he died the following year. My dad became sick, and I cared for him, and I lost him within six months of my husband.  I was with him when he passed away. 

My son runs the business now. I decided I had to do something different. I have a caring nature and I decided to go back to college and became a carer. 

I remember the day I graduated, wearing a hat and gown. Mum had been in hospital, and I went straight to show her the picture. She said: ‘Philip and your dad would be so proud of you.’ And I started crying. 

Recently I was given a long service award for ten years at Bluebird Care and I cried then too. I felt so proud when they gave me the lovely plaque, a voucher and some flowers. 

I love working with Bluebird Care. They are all so good in the office, they respect us, and we respect them. I’ve done loads of courses including medication and palliative care.

Being a carer is a brilliant, rewarding job. It’s not about the money. To be a carer you need to be kind. I respect the person I’m caring for and I give them their dignity.  
 

I build up a relationship with my clients and they feel like part of my family, I treat them like family. I like them to be treated the way I’d like someone to look after me when it’s my turn to be looked after. 

I look after Janet who is 92, and she adores me, and I adore her. Usually, I go to her for an hour in the morning, and an hour later on. But one day I was there for six hours when she was sick, she had a bug. She was so frightened, and she was terrified of going into hospital. I stayed with her, and that’s what caring is all about. 

Janet doesn’t go out and she likes a chat. I’m a local girl and she asks me about the people I’ve seen. She’s absolutely brilliant. She says I’m part of her family. When I leave her house, I know she’s safe and that she’s ok and that’s the same for my other clients too. I know I’ve done what I can for them. 

I have looked after different ages from children to 100 years old. This job is flexible. In 2018 I took seven weeks off to visit my son in Australia and when I came back, I decided to cut back on my hours.  

Now I’m 60 years old and I work 16 hours a week. When I’m not working, I like to go fishing in the river and in the lakes. I also enjoy knitting and reading.  

I live on my own and it’s nice to go out and see people. Working with Bluebird Care I might bump into another carer, and we have a quick chat, or we go for a coffee.  

I enjoy knowing that I’m going out every day to look after someone. I want to give them the best of my care and I just love doing it. I look forward to going to work. 

 I know I’m helping someone and that makes me feel good too. When I go home at the end of the day, I feel I’ve done something worthwhile.