It started as a way to make holiday money, but now it’s turned to gold.
Single mum Rebecca Griffiths turned her back on a teaching career because she found caring for others so rewarding.
Now ‘Becca has been rewarded, with a top Gold award in the caring profession’s most prestigious awards scheme.
The Wales Care Awards recognise the unsung heroes by rewarding the best in the caring professions. The Oscar style presention night was held in association with Care Forum Wales, the organisation which represents more than 500 care homes and independent care sector organisations.
‘Becca won the residential care practitioner category, sponsored by Barchester.
Born in Acrefair, where her parents still live, Becca moved to Bromsgrove in Worcestershire to study for a degree in early childhood studies, with a view to becoming a teacher.
“In the last year of my degree I started working in a care home for a bit of money, but after a couple of weeks I really liked it and I’ve been ‘in care’ ever since,” said Becca.
“I really enjoyed spending time with the residents,” said Becca, who returned to Wrexham to live.
Single mum Becca took a couple of years out to bring up daughter Seren, now seven and at school, and then went to work as a carer in Pendine Park care organisation’s Highfield nursing home, where she is now senior care practitioner.
“A major part of my role now is preparing person centred care plans. I sit and talk to the patient and their families, finding out about that person, what they used to do and what their hobbies were, perhaps trying to get them interested in that hobby again.
“It’s nice finding out about a person and helps you look after them in a better way when you know what they like and what makes them happy. If I were in a home there are ways I would want to be treated, and that is the way I approach everyone else.
“It can be taxing with Seren so young, but the hours fit in around her schooling and I’m lucky in having a lot of support from my family,” she said.
Becca has her NVQ 2 and 3 in care and Level 3 in customer services and has almost finished her assessor award which will enable her to assess candidates for the diploma in health and social care.
Becca, who took sister Hayley – also a Pendine employee at the Hillbury residential home – to the awards ceremony at Cardiff, was shocked to be even nominated.
Her manager Tracey Smith, who nominated her, said: “Becca has proved herself to be motivated, committed and passionate and never fails to deliver high standards of care to all residents.”
Health Minister Lesley Griffiths AM, who presented the awards, paid tribute to the work of Care Forum Wales in promoting dignity in care.
She said: ” It’s a time to recognise the excellent work that is taking place across Wales and an opportunity to shine a light on this practice so that others can see and follow.
“Tonight is an opportunity to recognise all those who have been nominated, to recognise all of your commitment and efforts and to recognise your impact on others.
“The celebration of the achievements of all of you who make a day to day impact on the lives of older people and how in everything you do you ensure that their dignity is at the heart of everything that you do.”
Mario Kreft, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, said there was a record number of nominations and the standard was extremely high.
He added: “There are only winners here tonight so it is only fitting that the finalists will receive a gold, silver or bronze Wales Care Award.
“I trust that they will continue to inspire those around them as role models and encourage others to aspire to even greater heights in the months and years to come.
“This awards ceremony is our opportunity to pay tribute and to celebrate the talent and commitment that is improving the quality of life for thousands and thousands of people throughout Wales.
“We take our hats off to them.”
