Lily is 77 and has lived in her own home in North Tyneside for many years. She has been supported by Be Caring since October 2022. Her Care Coach, Ben, describes her well:
“Lily is a charismatic, hilarious lady who puts a smile on everyone’s face.”
Her daughters are closely involved in her care and help her to remain living in the home she loves.
The difference time makes
Lily’s care package is a substantial one. Her Care Workers visit four times a day, supporting her with her morning routine, medication, meals, and moving safely around her home. It is the kind of package that could become purely functional: a list of tasks to complete against the clock.
At Be Caring, it works differently. Because our Care Workers are paid on block shifts, for their whole shift rather than by the minute, they are never rushing from one visit to the next. That time is what allows them to really know the people they support: not just what help someone needs, but what they enjoy, what they miss, and what would make their day.
Our outcomes framework keeps what matters to Lily at the centre of her care, and our Above and Beyond scheme gives Care Workers a way to make those things happen, turning a passing comment into a special experience.
A passing comment
During a routine observation visit with Care Coach Ben, Lily mentioned that she would love to visit the smart new nail salon that had opened near her home, to get some French tips. It was the kind of thing that could easily have been noted and forgotten.
Her Care Worker, Jodie, who was there for Lily’s tea call, offered to take her herself. The visit was arranged as an Above and Beyond activity, and Jodie checked in advance that the salon was wheelchair accessible so the day would go smoothly.
A proper day out
Jodie and Lily headed out to Wallsend high street. On the way, Lily bumped into people she had not seen for years and stopped for a proper catch-up, the kind of unplanned moment that only happens when you are out in your community. At the salon, Lily had her nails done, French tips and varnish, and, in Jodie’s words from that day, said they were “the smoothest she has felt her nails in years.” The pair didn’t stop there. They went on to a café for a bite to eat and a slice of quiche, turning a nail appointment into a proper afternoon out.
The next morning, another Care Worker arriving for Lily’s call found her still glowing about it, showing off her nails and talking about her day with Jodie.
Ben has seen what the day has meant to her:
“On the day she went to get her nails done, on the way there she saw people she hadn’t seen for years and had a good chin wag with them, which she proper loved. She has been showing everyone her nails ever since. Last week she told me she has been working on her hand exercises so she can get her other hand done too, because she loves them so much.”
What Lily’s story shows
Lily’s care meets every practical need, four visits a day, safely and reliably. But what she will remember is the afternoon she got her nails done and had a slice of quiche with someone who wanted to make it happen.
That is the difference our model is designed to make. Block pay gives our Care Workers the time to listen and our outcomes framework makes sure what matters to Lily is heard and acted on.