Juggling children and work is never easy. But one mum has it down to a fine art, thanks to her positive attitude and the support and flexibility of her employer, Bluebird Care.
Jayne Stephens always wanted a big family and has an impressive ten children! The five girls and five boys are aged between 27 and 6. Some of the older ones have now left home, and Jayne also has three grandchildren aged 9, 6 and 3, to keep her on her toes.
Despite the demands of such a large family, Jayne has spent the last 20 years working as a Carer. She currently works 5 days a week for Bluebird Care Barnet, looking after people with dementia and other needs.
It's an inspiring story and Jayne is passionate about her job. But the 46-year-old single mum admits it's only possible because of the way Bluebird Care looks after its staff as well as its customers.
She says: ''Work have been brilliant in letting me fit my hours around the kids. I'm so lucky that they are so flexible.''
Thanks to the company's family friendly policies, Jayne is able to drop her children at school, then work until it's time to pick them up again. It means she doesn't have to pay for extra childcare and she also gets to spend weekends at home.
According to the Director of Bluebird Care Barnet, Larry Berkowitz, it's all part of the ethos. He says: ''We strive to provide a lovely and supportive working environment and an understanding culture where carers aren't afraid to call in if their children are sick.''
Mr Berkowitz also stresses that Bluebird Care Barnet only employs Carers who live in the borough and that all customers and Carers are within a short distance of each other. He says: ''A lot of carers walk, or catch a bus with just a few stops to their customers as it so close to where they live which is one of the reasons we have been so successful at recruiting and retaining good Carers.''
This means that employees like Jayne don't have to spend unnecessary amounts of time travelling to and from work.
It's just part of the reason Jayne loves her job. And she says there's nothing else she'd rather do.
''Looking after people with dementia can be challenging at times but they are lovely and it's so rewarding just being with them and being able to put a smile on their faces. I've always loved caring for people. I cared for my dad before he died and knew it was what I wanted to do. I could never work in a shop or anything!''
Jayne's busy schedule means she's up at 5am every morning, sorting out school uniforms, getting breakfast, making packed lunches and ensuring everyone is organised for the day ahead. After a full day juggling work and family, Jayne admits she's in bed by 9.30pm most evenings.
But she insists she wouldn't change a thing. Working for Bluebird Care means she is able to support her family without having to rely on benefits, while at the same time providing a valuable and rewarding service in the community.
Mr Berkowitz is full of praise for his employee. He says: ''Not only does Jayne juggle being a Carer with being a mother, but she is brilliant at both. Her children are respectful and have high values, good manners, kindness and decency and this is all due to Jayne. Jayne holds all of these values herself and is an extremely selfless person who always looks after her customers like family.''
What's more, one of Jayne's children, 19-year-old Kirsty, is now following in her mother’s footsteps and has also become a Carer with Bluebird. What better recommendation than that.
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