An inspirational young carer who overcame dyslexia and dyspraxia has been honoured with a prestigious gold award.
Just 18 months after starting work at Kinsale Hall, Llannerch y Mor, near Holywell, Sean Doyle was one of the main award winners at this year’s Wales Care Awards ceremony.
The awards are organized by Care Forum Wales to recognize exceptional work in the care sector and the ceremony, held at City Hall, Cardiff, was sponsored by Ontex Healthcare and Barchester Jobs. The host for the evening was singer and presenter Wynne Evans, popularly known as Gio Compario from the Go Compare TV adverts.
Sean, 24, who picked up the award in the category for Exceptional Newcomers, overcame dyslexia and dyspraxia which proved an advantage in helping others with similar problems. His category was sponsored by Coleg Cambria.
Because of his personal background and his ability to empathise with those in his care Sean Doyle has proved a “natural”, a skill which colleagues at Options Kinsale School quickly came to appreciate. He is the first employee of Kinsale Options to have been nominated for such an award.
Options Kinsale, which is run by Options Autism and is part of Outcomes First Group, is an independent residential specialist school which provides a holistic service to children aged between eight and 18 with autistic spectrum conditions and associated complex needs.
Sean began working there about 18 months ago, having previously provided one-to-one care for a young man.
“It has always been my ambition to work in the care sector,” he said.
The dyslexia and dyspraxia created difficulties in gaining formal qualifications and he dropped out of university.
Among those who attended the Cardiff ceremony with Sean was Kinsale’s registered manager Becky Farmer, who nominated him for the award. It was his determination to gain his Level 3 diploma in health and social care, which he achieved in less than 12 months, which impressed colleagues and boosted his self-esteem.
“Sean is a natural practitioner who follows and adheres to the Code of Practice in all areas of his work. He is exceptional due to his natural manner and commitment to the young people,” she said.
At Kinsale Sean supports five young people who have autism, ADHD, learning disabilities and attachment disorders and his fellow team members described him as “enthusiastic, positive and cheerful.”
“I find it so rewarding to see the young people progressing and gaining in confidence,” he said, “and I would like to progress within the company.”
“It was a really interesting evening,” he said. “I was shocked to be nominated and couldn’t believe it when they announced I had won gold. It’s a real boost for morale to know that one’s work is appreciated.”
Mario Kreft, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, said the standard of entries was extremely high.
He added: “There are only winners here tonight so it is only fitting that the finalists will receive a gold, silver or bronze Wales Care Award.
“I trust that they will continue to inspire those around them as role models and encourage others to aspire to even greater heights in the months and years to come.
“This awards ceremony is our opportunity to pay tribute and to celebrate the talent and commitment that is improving the quality of life for thousands and thousands of people throughout Wales.
“We take our hats off to them.”
