A care home manager at residential home near Wrexham has been singled out for a top award.
Judith Richards, a registered manager for Clwyd Alyn Housing Association, part of the Pennaf Housing Group, will be a finalist at the Wales Care Awards.
She has been shortlisted for the prestigious ‘Promoting Fulfilled Lives’ award, sponsored by Boots the Chemist, in the Supported Living Care Practitioner category.
The glittering awards ceremony, organised by Care Forum Wales, will be at City Hall in Cardiff on Friday, November 6.
Judith, who has 25 years’ experience working in the social care sector, became manager of the Plas Bod Llwyd care home in Newbridge, near Wrexham in 2010.
She has been praised for promoting resident-focused activities and establishing an ‘open door policy’ so that residents’ families are welcome to visit at any time and stay as long as they like.
Judith, who lives in Acrefair, said: “Family members and friends are always welcome, and really enhance our residents’ social networks, making them feel more involved in their community which helps to keep them active, ultimately enhancing their quality of life.
Colleagues praised Judith’s commitment to ensuring residents were at the heart of everything she does.
They say she goes above and beyond the call of duty to make them happy, helping to organise band nights, fun days, bingo nights and fancy dress sponsored walks to add variety to their lives.
Kevin Hughes, Senior Care Manager, who nominated Judith for the award, said: “Judith has promoted and supported all her holistic staff team in providing a very “person centered”, non-judgmental approach to everything they do, no matter what task or duties the staff undertake form a carer to a member of her ancillary team.
“Since joining the organisation, Judith has been determined to create a ‘person-centred’, non-judgement approach, developing a superb rapport with residents and staff and expanding the leisure opportunities available for those who live there.
“Judith’s ongoing passion and dedication to improving the lives of all elderly residents living at Plas Bod Llwyd is a real inspiration.
“Through Judith’s leadership and the commitment of her staff, the Plas Bod Llwyd team have raised £10,000 to buy a mini bus for the home to give the residents a greater sense of freedom and independence.
According to Judith, she was surprised and delighted to be shortlisted for the award.
She said: “Residents no longer need to rely on ambulances for transport for hospital appointments and have the freedom to choose when and where they would like to visit for social activities.
“It is a credit to the whole Plas Bod Llwyd team who really care and go the extra mile for residents each day, every day. Whatever the outcome of the award ceremony it is a privilege to have been nominated, and I’d really like to thank all the staff, residents and their family members for making Plas Bod Llwyd what it is,” Judith added.
Mario Kreft MBE, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, said the Wales Care Awards had gone from strength to strength.
He said: “The event is now firmly established as one of the highlights in the Welsh social care calendar and are seen as the Oscars of social care. The aim is to recognise the unstinting and often remarkable dedication of our unsung heroes and heroines across Wales.
“The care sector is full of wonderful people because it’s not just a job, it’s a vocation – these are the people who really do have the X Factor. If you don’t recognise the people who do the caring you will never provide the standards that people need and never recognise the value of the people who need the care in society.
“We need to do all we can to raise the profile of the care sector workforce – they deserve to be lauded and applauded. It is a pleasure to honour the contribution of all the finalists. Each and every one of them should be very proud of their achievement.”
