A new search has been launched to find the unsung heroes and heroines of Wales.
Entries are being sought for the 2011 Wales Care Awards to honour the skill and devotion of people who work in social care looking after vulnerable children and adults.
The awards were introduced nine years ago by Care Forum Wales to inspire excellence in the care sector.
Among those honoured at the 2010 Awards was a woman who entered the caring profession at an age when most women have retired. She was stunned when she was named among the main prizewinners at a glittering ceremony in
Megan Bowen, who works at The Rhallt Care Home in Welshpool, came away with two trophies and a cheque for £1,000.
She was nominated in the category for Residential Care Practitioners, sponsored by Barchester Health Care.
But in addition to receiving a silver award Megan was presented with the Spirit of Care award, also sponsored by the same company, which is given to the person who is judged to best personify the ethos of the caring profession.
“I couldn’t believe it when they called my name out because I didn’t know anything about the Spirit of Care award,” said Megan, who started working at The Rhallt at the age of 61.
Meanwhile, Marian Ryles (pictured), a 56 year old grandmother from Rhyl, won gold in the category for Supported Living Care Practitioner, which was sponsored by Pendine Park Teaching Care Centre and ACT Training.
To her amazement she was then named as one of four joint winners of the Dignity in Care award given by the Welsh Assembly Government.
Rachel Kemp, the matron of College Fields, a 68-bed palliative care nursing home at Barry, was named Nurse of the Year
This year’s glittering event wil take place in the magnificent surroundings of City Hall in Cardiff, on Friday, October.
The deadline for nominations is Friday, April 29, the day of the Royal wedding. The organisers say they would be delighted if service users nominated carers if they thought their efforts should be recognised.
Short listed finalists will receive a bronze, silver or gold Wales Care Award, an invitation for themselves and a guest to the Gala Award Ceremony and free overnight accommodation at a five-star hotel.
The winner of one of the main accolades, the Spirit of Care Award, will receive a prize worth £1,000. Other categories include Dignity in Care, Newcomer of the Year, Excellence in Dementia Care, Nurse of the Year and Promoting Fulfilled Lives.
There are over 150,000 people in Wales receiving social care and the sector employs more than 80,000 staff. That’s equivalent to five per cent of the Welsh workforce.
In the current economic climate social care is also a vital component of regenerating local communities and ensuring that carers can remain economically active.
Mario Kreft, Honorary Chief Executive of Care Forum Wales, said: Care Forum Wales is engaged at every level in trying to raise the status of the social care profession and in particular the value to society of the many thousands of social care workers who provide such an important service to communities across Wales.
“The Wales Care Awards is now firmly established as one of the highlights in the Welsh social care calendar.
“It is an opportunity to nominate the champions and ambassadors of social care and contribute to raising public awareness of the vital contribution of our sector
“The dedication, professionalism and quality of the workforce within the care sector is, I am pleased to say, increasing and improving year on year.
“It is occasions like the awards night that enables Care Forum Wales to recognise and celebrate such skills, talents and commitment.
“Our aim is to acknowledge the unstinting and often remarkable dedication of the unsung heroes and heroines working in the care sector.
“It is always a pleasure to honour the contribution of all the finalists. Each and every one of them should be very proud of their achievement.
“We are now accepting entries for the 2011 Awards and we are looking forward to another fantastic occasion during which the dedicated men and women who work in social care can enjoy their well-deserved moment in the sun.”
Further information including nomination form can be found on www.careforumwales.co.uk or you can call 01978 752500 or email [email protected]
