"Breathe does the basics very well and helps us stay organised. It’s easy, accessible, and gives us what we need to make a difference every day."
Barnet Carers is a long-standing charity that’s been part of the Barnet community for over 30 years, supporting both informal carers and providing professional home care services.
Led by CEO Mike Rich, who’s been with the team for seven years, with the longstanding dedication of team members like Deputy Care Manager Gerry Byrne, Barnet Carers uses Breathe’s HR software to make day-to-day operations easier and help its staff stay organised and supported.
The challenge 🎯
With a dynamic team supporting two unique branches of service, Barnet Carers tackles the ongoing challenge of managing HR tasks efficiently.
“We’re constantly managing things like staff schedules, leave, training certifications, and compliance,” says Mike Rich, CEO of Barnet Carers.
“Before Breathe, it was all filing cabinets full of paperwork. Just finding essential documents could be a real challenge. Now, with Breathe’s HR software, the team has everything in one place, making it easier to keep operations running smoothly while reducing errors and saving time.”
Why Breathe?
When Mike joined Barnet Carers, he quickly saw the need for a more modern, cost-effective HR solution. After trying a few options, the team landed on Breathe, which offered just the right balance of accessibility and efficiency.
“In the charity sector, every pound counts,” Mike explains. “With Breathe, we’re able to use technology in a way that’s both financially responsible and actually makes a difference day-to-day.”
It fit the charity’s budget while giving them the HR support they needed, making things easier for the whole team.
For Gerry, who coordinates care workers and manages their schedules, Breathe’s streamlined leave management system has been a game-changer:
“Now, care workers can book their holidays online, receive instant approval, and get immediate confirmation on their work phones. It saves so much time and gives them peace of mind.”
The solution ✅
Breathe has simplified Barnet Carers' HR functions by creating an accessible, all-in-one platform for managing key tasks:
Enhanced compliance and documentation
For a charity like Barnet Carers, serving vulnerable people means staying on top of important records - DBS checks, maintaining compliance records, references, training certificates - all of it needs to be precise and accessible.
“We really need clear audit trails,” says Mike. “With Breathe, it’s all there digitally and securely, so when we need something, it’s right at our fingertips.”
This digital setup not only keeps everything organised but also gives the team peace of mind knowing they have quick access to essential documentation.
Efficient recruitment and training tracking
Recruiting and retaining qualified staff is a continual need for Barnet Carers. The need for qualified staff is ongoing, and Breathe helps track certifications and flag training renewals.
“We do a lot of in-house training,” Gerry shares, “and Breathe lets us keep an eye on who’s completed what training and when it’s time for refresher courses. It’s crucial for maintaining the quality of care we provide.”
Streamlined leave management
With Breathe, employees can easily request leave, and managers can quickly approve it, reducing errors common with manual calculations.
“Especially with our part-time and term-time staff, the clarity around leave balances and carry-overs makes a big difference,” Mike shares.
Gerry adds that the fast approval process has made employees happier:
“Knowing their holidays are booked and confirmed instantly makes everyone feel more supported.”
The impact 📈
Using Breathe has made a huge difference for Barnet Carers, streamlining day-to-day HR tasks and keeping everything running smoothly.
With Breathe’s dashboard and mobile app, Mike and his team can easily check schedules, track absences, and plan for leave coverage.
“Honestly, it’s the little things that really help,” Mike says. “Like those daily notifications that tell me who’s in and who’s off - it makes staying on top of things so much easier.”
For Gerry, who sees Breathe’s impact up close, the software has been a valuable tool for managing a workforce with varied schedules.
“It’s easy, efficient, and keeps everyone on the same page,” Gerry shares.
Future plans 🚀
Looking ahead, Barnet Carers hopes to explore more of Breathe’s features as its needs evolve.
“We’re always interested in platforms that grow with us,” says Mike. “And Breathe does just that. We look forward to using more of Breathe’s capabilities and we can’t wait to see what tools Breathe add next.”
Advice for others 💙
For charities and the care industry considering a similar HR solution, Mike advises focusing on ease of use, comprehensive record-keeping, and efficiency.
“Breathe does the basics very well and helps us stay organised. It’s easy, accessible, and gives us what we need to make a difference every day.”
With Breathe, Barnet Carers has enhanced its HR management and also strengthened its mission of supporting carers across the borough, helping to ensure that carers and the people they care for receive the attention and compassion they deserve.
