Care Franchise Opportunity With Award-Winning Bluebird Care

At this year’s annual conference themed “Ahead and Staying Ahead”, the Hampshire-based company reported a growth in turnover from £600,000 in March 2007 to £12 million in November this year.

The company, celebrating achievement and rewarding outstanding effort from its franchise owners, welcomed 74 delegates to the event at the Marriott Hotel and Country Club, Forest of Arden in Warwickshire.

To acknowledge franchise owners’ achievements in building thriving businesses in difficult economic times, Bluebird Care managing director Paul Tarsey presented awards – including one for best newcomer. Award winners were:

Franchise of the Year – West Berks and Basingstoke - In the past year the Bluebird Care Newbury office has become the fastest growing homecare provider in the area; now with a team of 65 fully trained and police checked care workers. This exceptional growth has brought them recognition; winning the award from amongst a national network of 63 Bluebird Care offices. Directors  and co-owners, John Prendergast and Phil Miles accepted the award on behalf of the company saying: “We are very proud of the quality of service we provide to all our customers.  We would like to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of all our staff.  It is their efforts over the last 12 months which are being recognised with this prestigious award.”

Spirit of Bluebird Award - Rugby and South Leicestershire – Joy Grant’s battle to grow her business after she was left short-staffed, has won her a special award for those who triumph over adversity. Paul offers the annual award in memory of Donald Campbell, who broke eight speed world records in the 1950s and 1960s – with both his famous car and speedboat bearing the Bluebird name. Despite the difficulties, director Joy managed to increase the number of carers she employs at her Lutterworth office from 10 to 34.

Best newcomer - Shropshire – following the Bluebird Care Model, delivering on their promises and successfully growing the business from a standing start in June 2009 meant former Garden Centre business manager Ian Barnes walked away a winner.  Currently Ian’s 17-strong team is located in Bayston Hill, south of Shrewsbury. His first employee, Care Manager Jayne Dippie, has considerable experience within the care sector and together they are an effective team, passionate about delivering excellent care.

Paul paid tribute to all franchise owners across England, Scotland and Ireland and said Bluebird Care owed its rapid growth to a variety of factors, including delivering first-class service and customer care, while being a modern, proactive company which was constantly moving ahead.

He said: “We have retained our commitment to “good old-fashioned service” while at the same time becoming a modern, forward-thinking organisation of the 21st Century - always trying to stay one-step ahead. We have also continued to invest in staff development and training, which means our customers get the very best service at all times.”

Bluebird Care is on target to recruit 25 franchise owners in the UK and a further eight in the Republic of Ireland during 2009. In November 2008 there were 41 offices, which has risen to 63 this month showing a 54 per cent growth in network size during the last 12 months.

It now provides around 45,000 care visits a month – a growth of 105 per cent on last November when the company was providing around 22,000 care visits across the UK.

The company specialises in working with people requiring health care and their families, including live-in support for people who would like, or who need, a greater level of care provision.