A support worker found her work so rewarding that her daughter and husband were convinced to follow in her footsteps.
Now Alison Amos’s enthusiasm and passion for helping others has put her in line for a major award at the social care Oscars.
The 59-year-old from Connah’s Quay has been shortlisted for one of this year’s Wales Care Awards, organized each year by Care Forum Wales to recognize exceptional work in the care sector.
The awards ceremony takes place at City Hall, Cardiff, on October 18, and the MC for the evening will be tenor and radio presenter Wynne Evans, better known as Gio Compario from the Go Compare TV ad.
Alison, who works for the St Asaph-based company Cartref Ni, was nominated by the group’s service manager Gwyn Jones and shortlisted in the category for supported living care practitioners, which is sponsored by Educ8.
She joined Cartref Ni in 2010 and supports four people – two men and two women – who live in their own home. All have learning disabilities and two have Downs Syndrome.
The four, all known to each other, moved into the home in 2016, and leaving their families was a massive step, but Alison was determined to make the change as smooth and enjoyable as possible whilst maintaining their family links
“She has enabled the four people to both acquire new skills in their home where they have eminently increased their domestic skills, in conjunction with progressively encouraging their community involvement,” said Gwyn.
She not only supports their personal development but also their mental health and physical wellbeing, college work and other opportunities.
“Alison enthusiastically embraces and shares her passion for social care both within the charity and externally, and has been complimented by members of the public who have witnessed her consummate, engaging and fun inter-action with the people she supports,” said Gwyn.
Through her efforts they have had work placements, overseas holidays together and taken part in various sports activities.
Alison previously worked at the Convatec factory on Deeside and was a home carer for 16 months, but became frustrated at the short time she was able to spend with her service users.
“I wanted to be able to spend more than 15 minutes with them and that is why I love the job I’m doing now,” she said.
“This is the kind of work I wanted to do when I left school and it’s an honour to be in this position. I am really passionate about it,” she said. “Being nominated for this award is like a dream come true.”
Daughter Danielle was the first to follow her example and also now works for Cartref Ni in Flint, supporting two individuals.
Alison’s sense of fulfillment and job satisfaction so impressed husband Andy that he, too, gave up his factory job and is also a support worker.
“And he absolutely loves it,” said Alison.
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.
“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.”
