An award ceremony in Neath Port Talbot has highlighted some of the heart warming stories behind people who provide outstanding care in the county borough.
The Wales and West Utilities Golden Heart Awards in association with the S W Evening Post were held last Friday (11th February) at the Princes Royal Theatre and have been hailed the local social care highlight of the year.
Organised by the Neath Port Talbot Social Care Workforce Development Partnership and hosted by BBC favourite Derek Brockway, the event was attended by record numbers. But the evening wasn’t just about collecting a trophy or certificate, it was a celebration of the dedication, high standards and hard work displayed by all of the finalists.
The awards were sponsored by Wales & West Utilities Ltd, S W Evening Post, 102.1 Bay Radio, Alun Griffiths Contractors, Coastal Employment Project, Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service, Sinclair Group/Motability, TLC Independent Fostering Ltd, Social Care in Partnership South Wales and Southern Cross Healthcare.
A total of 13 awards were presented to teams, organisations and individuals. There was not a dry eye in the house when Cwmgwrach Young Carer Samuel Pether, aged 10, received a standing ovation as he collected his glass trophy, along with a signed Swansea City football.
Those who attended the event also heard about Social Care Student of the Year Sian Harvey who has overcome personal tragedy to achieve excellent academic success, long service award winner William Walters who has worked in social care for 37 years, single foster carer Jo Smith whose whole life is filled with caring for children and disabled carer Peter Hunkin who cares for his step father.
Councillor Ali Thomas, Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council said:
“I was delighted to be part of this event and help pay tribute to all of the finalists. Each one had a truly inspirational story and was fully deserving of their place at the awards. They are first class ambassadors for social care in Neath Port Talbot.”
This years winners and runners up are:
Young Carers Award
Winner: Samuel Pether
The Dignity in Care Award
Winner: Wendy Wilkinson, Occupation Therapy Department, Singleton Hospital
Runners Up: Glynneath District Nurses
Staff at Dan y Bryn Nursing Home
Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award
Winners: Kevin Bartley and Jason Evans, Tai Esgyn Housing
Runners Up: Homecare Team Pontardawe, Brynamman & Ystalyfera
Sŵn Y Môr Team, Aberavon
The Innovative Development in Social Care Provision Award
Winners: The Alzheimers Society Look After Yourself Project
Runners Up: Tai Esgyn Housing
Person Centered Planning Listen To Us Group
The Extra Mile Award
Winner: Sharon Mitchell
Runners Up: Mavis Davies
Norma Edwards
Disabled Carers Award
Winner: Peter Hunkin
Runners Up: Cliff Croft
Ivy Smart
Foster Carers Award
Winner: Jo Smith
Runners Up: Rosemary and Gareth Whitlock
Long Service Award
Winner: William Walters
Runners Up: Dorothy Davies
Pearl Williams
Unpaid Carers Award
Winner: Mary Nicholls
Runners Up: David Walters
Victoria Merrill
The Best Achievement Award
Winner: Anita Tomaszewski
Runners Up: Listen To Us Group
Robert Griffiths
Outstanding Personal Academic Achievement
Winner: Lisa Pridmore
Runners Up: Avril Jones
Jodie Llewellyn
Social Care Student of the Year
Winner: Sian Harvey
Outstanding Newcomer to Social Care
Winner: Amy Evans
Runners Up: Karen James
Talia White
