Welcome to Our New Look Newsletter
Hello and welcome to the new look Micro But Mighty Newsletter!
Some of you may remember this started life as my little Friday email, “Micro (but Mighty) Moves” - sharing the small thoughtful actions that can make a huge difference in care and in life.
But over time, something became really clear…
Independent care workers and micro providers are quietly changing lives every single day, yet so often their voices, challenges, ideas and stories go unheard.
So Micro But Mighty is evolving.
This is now more than just a weekly email.
It’s becoming a modern media brand dedicated to the people building care differently.
Expect:
👉 real care stories
👉 practical guidance
👉 grey-area discussions
👉 industry insights
👉 business tips
👉 and honest conversations about what great care really looks like in the real world.
Because small providers really do have a mighty impact 💛
This Week In Independent Care
Councils are encouraging our model of care!
Lancashire County Council are the latest council to get on board with our model of care! In the background they have been working hard for over a year to get all their ducks in a row ready to roll out Micro Provision across Lancashire. This is great news for any care workers based in Lancashire!
Historically other councils have rolled out Mirco Provision (I still hate that term! But hey ho, there is no perfect term for our model of care!), some successfully like Somerset Council who have established a firm army of independent carers across their county. And others unsuccessfully, such as in Cumbria, where it just never took off. We hope they will try again, and shout louder about it next time.
But Lancashire County Council is the next council to truly give our model of care a shot! If you are in Lancashire and are an independent carer, then you can now join their directory. The list isn’t live yet, but you can get your details added on ready for lunch, here’s the link to register and advertise your business on the Lancashire Service Finder.
But Lancashire County Council is the next council to truly give our model of care a shot! If you are in Lancashire and are an independent carer, then you can now join their directory. The list isn’t live yet, but you can get your details added on ready for lunch, here’s the link to register and advertise your business on the Lancashire Service Finder.
Big news from HMRC… milage allowance has increased by 10p! Thank you Martin Lewis for bringing this to our attention.
For many independent carers, the main, and pretty much only expense, is mileage. So this will make a massive impact for all the community care workers out there. Do spread the word!
This Week’s Micro But Mighty Move
To wear a uniform… or not?
I get asked this a lot. “Do you wear a uniform?”
The short answer? No. Never. I don’t even own one.
I wear what I’d normally wear day to day, usually a dress and boots. See pic above! Ideally a dress with pockets, I do love pockets!
Smart enough that I could go out for lunch…but practical enough to get stuck in when needed.
Because the vibe I go for is: “Family friend popping in” not “The carer is here.”
It’s also why I don’t have any advertising on my car. From the outside, you wouldn’t know I’m there to provide care. In fact, when out and about, people assume I’m their daughter. And we don’t correct that.
Because let’s be honest… If you were going out somewhere, would you want the whole world to know you need care?
Some people might not mind. But many independent, strong-willed people would.
This really hit home for me recently. I went to a funeral of an elderly friend who lived in a care home. The staff came along too, which was lovely. But they arrived in full uniform. We were all dressed in black… And they stood out in bright purple tunics.
Now, in the grand scheme of things, it’s not the biggest deal. But it just felt very…
“care staff are here”
And for me? That’s not the feeling I want to create. I’ll always lean towards:
blending in
preserving dignity
keeping things feeling as normal as possible
But that’s just me. What about you? Uniform… or normal clothes?
Grey Area Of The Week!
"Can you lock the door so they don't wander off?” said the family
So in collaboration with the amazing independent carers in the Professional Carers Network we have created a Locking Doors guide. It's a guide to figure out if you should or should not be locking doors! As carers this is a situation we come across a lot!
And I have to say, now I've deep dived into it a bit more, I do think there are times I have been locking doors when I shouldn't have been doing! So don't worry if you find yourself thinking that too!
Check out the guides here, one for care workers and one for care workers to share with families.
Tool/Podcast/Book/Helpful Thing… Of The Week!
The Professional Carers Network Membership!
Going self-employed in care can feel exciting… but also pretty lonely at times.
That’s exactly why the Professional Carers Network was created!
PCN is a supportive professional community for independent carers and micro providers who want to deliver great care, build credibility and grow a business they’re proud of, without having to figure everything out alone.
Inside the membership you’ll find:
👉 business and care training (over 30 certified courses!)
👉 practical templates and guides
👉 daily support and updates
👉 a community of like-minded carers
👉 complimentary public liability insurance
👉 DBS processing support - discounted for members.
👉 marketing tools and resources
👉 and lots of real-world advice from carers actually doing the job every day.
But honestly?
The best bit is being surrounded by people who “get it.”
Because independent care can feel very different when you’ve got a whole network behind you 💛
🔗 Become a member: www.skool.com/procarernetwork
Readers Story
This week’s story comes from Chauntelle Eatough, who is thriving as an independent carer. And is enjoying having more time for her family, read Chauntelle’s story below.
So as of Jan, I became officially unemployed from the NHS, where I first registered as a mental health nurse 10 years ago! 10 years of stress, long shifts, late finishes, not seeing my babies bedtimes, missing school events, abuse at work from patients, deadlines, no appreciation, just being a number, paperwork and not seeing any patients, and did I mention stress!!!
The notice was handed in 2 months prior, and I am not going to lie it was a huge step, the job for life, the sick pay, carers leave, annual leave, guaranteed income, and good money. However I knew when my mental health was declining, and I dreaded the thought of going in I knew something had to give. I couldn’t do it all anymore, I have 4 children 6 yrs and under and they need me! These years are the most important to them and to me. No job or money is worth that.
It was definitely the best desision I have made, for me and my family. The work life balance is amazing and no employed job would ever match it. I choose my hours which I am lucky enough to do in school hours, allowing me to do school drop offs/pickups something I’ve never been able to do, spending time with my children. The work itself you are appreciated for and thanked for, something I’ve never had either - so there’s job satisfaction finally! You really don’t feel like you’re working it’s the least stressful thing I have ever done. Lastly, I am doing 17 less hours per week for the same money as a team leader in the nhs.. hmmm it’s a no brainer really.
If you are in the same position as I was, please don’t hesitate and make the change today. I joined the Professional Carers Network to make the jump a little less scary. There is a wealth of support there for you to take or leave. ♥️ I hope I inspire someone in the future. Xxx
We love hearing reader’s stories. If you would like to be featured in the Micro But Mighty newsletter, hit reply and tell us your story and we will do our best to feature you.
Until next time…
Keep doing the small things that make a mighty difference!
xx