Meet Catherine – Our Director and founder
Welcome to the our blog series about Catherine Cleary, the dedicated founder of SilverBirch Healthcare. Catherine’s journey into care started with her work as a midwife, a role that shaped her early passion for helping others. From there, she transitioned into caregiving and worked her way up to an area manager position at a different care company. Eventually, she took the leap to open SilverBirch Healthcare, a company that embodies her vision of providing the high-quality, personalized care she believes every individual deserves.
Q&A with Catherine Cleary
- What are you excited about for the future of SilverBirch?
I’m excited for our manager, Mani, to take on more responsibilities, and I’m looking forward to expanding SilverBirch to other areas so we can help more people. - What got you into the care industry?
I have always had a passion for helping people, and my journey started as a midwife. Over time, I realized that I wanted to provide more holistic care to individuals of all ages, which led me to the wider care industry. - What’s your favourite memory with someone you looked after?
One of my favorite memories is of a gentleman with dementia who didn’t want help getting undressed because he was devoted to his wife and didn’t want anyone else to see him that way. His love and loyalty were incredibly touching. - Is this what you wanted to do?
I initially wanted to be a midwife, but due to personal reasons, I couldn’t continue in that role. However, I found my calling in the care industry, which has been even more rewarding than I imagined. - How do you make sure you listen to individuals’ wishes?
I take the time to ask as many questions as possible about how they like to spend their days, understanding their preferences, and figuring out what makes them feel comfortable and happy. - What’s your favourite activity to do with the people you help?
I love listening to music and singing old songs with them—it brings back so many memories and always creates a joyful atmosphere. - What’s the most unusual activity you have done with a client?
One of the more unusual activities I’ve done was helping someone plan their own funeral. It was a deeply personal and moving experience. - What’s your favourite flower?
My favorite flower is the forget-me-not. It’s such a beautiful reminder of love and memories. - How old was the oldest person you looked after?
The oldest person I have cared for was 103 years old, and they had such a fascinating life story to share. - What do you wish more people knew about care?
I wish people knew that care can be fun! Many clients are incredibly upbeat, with great senses of humor, and they enjoy being a bit cheeky. - What surprised you about care?
I was surprised by how rewarding this work is. Every day brings something new, and the relationships we build are so fulfilling. - When did you join the care industry?
I joined the care industry 18 years ago, and I’ve been running SilverBirch for the past 7 years. - Do you prefer morning or evening shifts?
I prefer evening shifts because they’re always fun—clients often try to convince me to let them stay up, have a drink, and dance the night away!