Gail Syratt from the Bluebird Care office in Edinburgh has beaten off competition from 776 other care managers across Scotland to scoop the coveted title of Care Manager of the Year at the Scottish Care at Home Awards.

 

A trained nurse, Gail said, “I am so delighted to have won. I have always done my very best to surpass customer expectations - to go that extra mile. Providing care particularly for older people is something I feel passionate about as this is often a neglected service. I joined Bluebird Care because I knew the organisation was offering customers something different to its competitors. That something is a compassionate and professional service; something I am proud to be part of.”

 

After completing her nurse training, Gail worked in both general and mental health nursing before a career change in 1997 when she joined Scottish and Newcastle Plc. She worked her way through the ranks, before using her customer care skills to run a hotel in the Scottish borders with husband Bob. She said, “The experience gave me a great deal of insight into the challenges of running your own business and meeting exacting customer standards.”

 

Bluebird Care director Jane Perry said, “This is fantastic recognition of all the hard work and effort Gail has made, and a true reflection of the dedication of our carers. We are truly delighted to have won awards year-on-year and we have set ourselves very high standards to be maintained."

 

Jane, who currently employs 64 care workers and office staff at the Castlebrae Business Centre, providing care at home in the South of Edinburgh is expanding into the north of the city and creating a further 40 jobs. She will run her second Bluebird Care office from the same premises – before opening a satellite office in the north of the city as the business expands.

 

The ceremony, on May 28 at the Glasgow Marriott, also coincided with the office’s second birthday. Last year they were awarded the "Best Company Newcomer of the Year award 2009" at the Scottish Care at Home awards ceremony. This was in recognition of their tailored packages of care for people.

 

Nationally, the company also has plenty to celebrate - on Wednesday, June 2, Bluebird Care was one of just eight companies to reach the finals of Franchisor of the Year Awards.

 

Run by the British Franchise Association (BFA), the award ceremony was held at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham, where the company faced stiff competition from household names such as McDonalds, Domino’s Pizza and Driver Hire.