Bridget and the Always Take Care team
Choosing the right home care – whether that’s for yourself or a loved one – can feel daunting and overwhelming. It’s something Bridget Hayward is all too familiar with. As the director of Always Take Care, a trusted home care agency in Rutland, Bridget is passionate about providing personalised care solutions that helps clients maintain their independence and continue living comfortably in their own homes.
Whether you’re curious about what good home care looks like – or want to learn more about Always Take Care, and the philosophy behind the company – read on to discover more about Bridget, her journey and her passion for helping people find compassionate support through care at home in Rutland, and beyond.
Bridget Hayward is the director of Rutland care agency Always Take Care.
How long has Always Take Care been established?
It feels like quite a long time now! Always Take Care was initially established in 2007 as a partnership. We switched from a partnership to a limited company in 2010.
What was the mission at the outset?
The aim was to provide a service that enabled people to stay at home with the support of a carer. Our team consists of carers from our birth country Zimbabwe (and South Africa).
Zimbabweans are well educated, easy to talk to, and have a humble, gentle approach to providing care.
What is your core service, and what is unique about Always Take Care?
We offer a live-in care service. It’s unique in the sense that it allows you to stay at home but still receive the care you need. Traditionally, nursing homes have a much higher ratio of care to client, meaning that the care isn’t always person centred, which is what live-in care is about. You have your very own caregiver to yourself.
Connecting with clients is central to delivering compassionate quality care
As a care agency in Rutland, what areas do you service?
We are based in Oakham, a lovely historic market town in the East Midlands. Our comprehensive in-home care services are available locally in Oakham, Rutland, Stamford and Uppingham. But we also offer our live-in care services to clients across the UK
What would you say sets you apart from other in-home care service providers?
That’s quite tricky to answer. But I would say it’s the way we care about our staff and clients. We try to provide a service that is personal, and person centred in its approach. Our carers are amazing, and many of them have worked for us for years. We value them and hope that they feel valued – this comes out in the care that they provide to those they care for.
What does a typical day at Always Take Care look like for you?
Our office is generally a happy, fun place to be. We start with a morning coffee and a catch up with everything that’s happened overnight. I will spend time looking at future placements – we try to fill gaps a couple of months ahead. We stop at 1pm and have lunch together, with whoever is around. It’s an important part of our day and offers a social time to chat and check in with everybody. My afternoon tends to revolve around administration, problem solving, and staff training.
Bridget and the team start the day with a morning coffee and a catch up
What’s your background, and what led you to work in the home care industry?
Well, to answer that question I need to talk about my late Mum, Heather. She was a very experienced and qualified nurse and moved to the UK from Zimbabwe. She worked in care homes when she first arrived and had to re-register her nursing certificate. Mum knew that she didn’t want to care in this environment indefinitely. She felt she could offer an alternative which would allow people to receive support in their own homes. So, she decided to set up Always Take Care. She was very driven and a natural entrepreneur – she loved the challenge that came with starting a business. On the other hand, I have always been administration based; in the early days I helped with the admin side of Always Take Care alongside my own job as a bookkeeper for a local building firm. I officially came on board in 2010, and completed my Level 5 NVQ in Health and Social Care in 2012.
What has been the highlight of your career with Always Take Care so far?
The growth that we have achieved over the past 10 years is almost entirely through word of mouth, with very little advertising. We’ve steadily built up our numbers during this time, relying on the strength of our work rather than marketing. To me, that’s a clear sign we’re doing a good job, which isn’t always an easy feat in this line of work.
To what do you attribute Always Take Care’s success in the live-in care industry?
Here At Always Take Care, we pride ourselves on offering a person-centred approach to home care. We try and allow our clients to stay independent and feel valued regardless of their own situation. I’d like to add that our success reflects the amazing people who work at Always Take Care. We have an incredible team, and every one of them has played a pivotal role in our story – we simply wouldn’t be where we are today without them.
What’s your favourite thing about running Always Take Care?
I love the versatility of the job. I never really know what each day will hold – it can change from calm to hectically busy but offers a lot of variety. And, of course, I enjoy interacting with carers and clients alike. Ultimately, I love being able to help our clients live a more fulfilled life, with more independence and a happier, less lonely existence.
Looking ahead, do you have any goals for Always Take Care?
We want to continue to provide a kind and dignified service. One that means people can utilise live-in carers to maintain their independence and enjoy staying in their own home for as long as possible.
You can read more about the Always Take Care story here. If you would like a personalised home care assessment or have questions about our nationwide live-in home care services, please get in touch with Bridget and the Always Take Care team. We’ve also answered some of the most frequently asked questions about our care at home services, which you can read here.
