When Heather talks about her life, she does so with warmth and humour. Growing up in Coventry, she met her husband when she was just 15. As she tells it, she was walking through town with friends when he dropped a coin that rolled towards her. She picked it up, handed it back – and he asked if she’d like to go for a drink. It was the start of a relationship that lasted more than 50 years.
Heather went on to work as a residential Social Worker supporting people with a learning disability, a role she loved. After retiring, she and her husband moved to Norfolk, where she enjoyed the countryside and the slower pace of life. She describes herself as a strong character with a deep love for crafting, jewellery-making and sewing. Her spare bedroom is a dedicated sewing room, filled with quilting projects and “bits of material everywhere.” She is also a lifelong Beach Boys fan and part of the Beach Boys Britain fan club, with photos and memorabilia proudly displayed at home.
But when her husband passed away in January 2024, Heather’s confidence and motivation took a sharp dip.
Above all else, Heather said:
“Maintaining my independence and keeping mentally active is most important to me.”
Finding Support That Fits
Heather began receiving support from Be Caring in July 2024. She immediately noticed the impact of having support delivered in a way that put relationships first.
“I’m really pleased I’m with Be Caring. They’re far better than the people I was with before. I’ve had fantastic carers… They’re all friendly. Gillian, for example, she’s amazing – she motivated me, I love her to bits.”
Be Caring’s block-pay model ensures Care Workers are paid for their full shift, not by the minute. This gives the team more time to build relationships, work flexibly, and focus on what each person needs on the day. For Heather, this meant having consistent carers, time for encouragement, and the space to rebuild routines at her own pace.
“They work really hard to make sure I have the same carers all the time,” she said. “The ethics are good – what they’re wanting to achieve is excellent.”
Working Together Through the Outcomes Process
Be Caring uses an outcomes-based support process, where individuals regularly review what matters to them and how they’re progressing. Scores from 1-5 are used across themes like independence, wellbeing and being part of a community.
Heather wanted to improve her independence and mobility, to make accessing the community easier. We paired Heather with Gillian as her regular Care Worker – something she valued deeply.
Gillian remembers those early visits well. “It’s been a bit of a journey and it’s taken some work. It was hard for Heather when she lost her husband. She told me she wanted to diet to improve her mobility, so I’ve supported her, encouraged her, helped cook healthy meals. It’s improved her mobility and independence.”
Through steady encouragement and healthy routines, Heather gradually became more confident in managing her day-to-day tasks. “She can now get herself out of bed and shower independently,” Gillian said proudly. Heather also lost 2½ stone, supporting her mobility and wellbeing.
Real Progress, Recognised in Her Reviews
By September 2025, Heather’s improvement was clear. She was needing less time during visits. Her care package was safely reduced as she became more independent. Heather has now signed up for a day centre, excited to go out again, meet new people and re-engage socially.
In her annual survey, Heather rated her care as Outstanding, sharing how much she valued the consistency and support she received. “I’d love to thank all the carers,” she said. “It’s been an amazing journey.”
Heather’s story highlights the impact of relationship-centred support, the value of consistent Care Workers, and how Be Caring’s block-pay model and outcomes-focused approach empower people to rebuild independence at their own pace – feeling supported, motivated and genuinely cared for along the way.
