Mary’s special date for National Carers Week in Tonbridge

TONBRIDGE pensioner Mary Porch celebrated National Carers Week by going out to lunch with her Bluebird Care Coordinator, Louise Farmer.

Mary, 88, has been a customer of Bluebird Care for six years, receiving daily visits to help her with her morning routine, weekly visits to help her clean the house and regular phone contact.

“I really enjoyed myself over lunch and feel that I have been spoilt with the privilege of being invited out,” said Mary. 

“It was lovely to go out, particularly as I do not get the chance to do so very often.”

‘Our incredible and skilled team work with
many local families to relieve some of this pressure’

Louise added: “I really enjoyed taking Mary out and we had a lovely time chatting about her fascinating history. 

“As I am usually in the office, but speak with our customers all the time, it is always really good to be able to spend time getting to know them in person.”

Bluebird Care is a company based in Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells. The agency carries out 20,000 visits every day across the UK.

National Carers Week, which ran from June 12-18, promoted awareness of the role of carers and the challenges they face. Three in five people in the UK will become carers at some stage
in their lives, and yet three-quarters of them feel their role
is not appreciated or understood by their local community.

Half of carers say their profession has made their mental health worse, 55 per cent have struggled financially, and 71 per cent have experienced stress, anxiety or depression because of their job.

Nathan Brown, Bluebird’s Community Liaison Manager, said: “There are thousands of dedicated, devoted and loving family, friends and neighbours who provide tremendously valued support every day. At Bluebird Care we know the impact both emotional and physical that it can have on carers’ lives. 

“Our incredible and skilled team work with many local families to relieve some of this pressure, meaning those caring can continue being heroic family, friends and neighbours without the added stress of needing to be
carer also.”