A Gwynedd man who decided on a change of career after seeing how much his wife enjoyed her job, has recently been recognised at a prestigious national care awards ceremony.
Twenty eight years after giving up his job as an accountant, Peter Fletcher from Tywyn won the bronze award at this year’s Wales Care Awards, organised by Care Forum Wales to highlight and reward examples of exceptional practice in the care industry.
Peter was nominated in the category for Supported Living or Small Group Community Living Care Practitioner, by Alison Owen, Adult Placement Officer with Gwynedd Council.
Along his wife Patricia, Peter supports two adults with learning disabilities and other problems in their home at Tywyn, where they ran a private care home until 2004. They then joined Gwynedd Council’s Adult Placement Scheme, accepting only Gwynedd residents and are full of praise for the Council’s staff.
Peter entered the caring profession after being struck by the enthusiasm Patricia showed for the work.
“I was an accountant and hated my work, but my wife, who was a social worker, used to come home bubbling and I couldn’t understand it,” he explained.
The couple were living in Oswestry at the time and after he did some voluntary work they decided to take the plunge and buy a home in Tywyn. Their children Charlotte and Adam are also now involved.
“I’m very pleased to have won the bronze award but anything I have achieved would not have been possible without the support I have received,” he added.
He also praised Gwynedd Council’s social workers for their help and support.
In her nomination Alison Owen from the Council said Peter had improved the quality of life of the two service users tenfold through his care and attention, and members of the Adult Placement Team were involved in the decision to nominate him.
Councillor Wyn Williams, Gwynedd Council Cabinet member with responsibility for Social Services, said:
“It is fantastic to see the hard work and dedication of enablers being recognised in this way.
“The Council’s Adult Placement Team helps to ensure that adults who, for whatever reason, cannot live independently on their own, can make the most of a flexible form of care based on their needs and requirements, and which gives them an opportunity to live an ordinary family life. Many congratulations to Peter for his hard work and achievement in securing this national award.”
Mario Kreft MBE, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, said the Wales Care Awards had gone from strength to strength since being established in 2002.
He said: “This year we are celebrating a very special milestone in our history with the 10th anniversary of the Wales Care Awards.
“Our mission from the outset has been to recognize the unstinting and often remarkable dedication of the unsung heroes and heroines working in the care sector across Wales.
“If you don’t recognize the people who do the caring you will never provide the standards that people need and you never really going to recognize 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.”
If you’re interested in finding out more about Gwynedd Council’s Adult Placement Service, or would like to talk to a member of the team about becoming a carer/ enabler, contact 01766 515161 or email [email protected]
