Tag: mental health

Glittering night for stars of social care

It was a night when the stars of social care shone brightly. The unsung heroes and heroines of the sector were recognised for their skill and dedication at the 14th annual Wales Care Awards.

The glittering ceremony at City Hall in Cardiff was hosted by the larger than life Radio Wales presenter and opera singer Wynne Evans, perhaps better known as the moustachioed Gio Compario from the Go Compare TV  ads.

The Craig Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award went to Rhian Huws Williams, an “inspirational figure” to social care in Wales, for her many years of dedicated service..
(more…)

Dynamic care home boss who’s not afraid to get his hands dirty takes gold in major national awards

A versatile care home manager who loves his job so much that he even likes to “muck in” with the cleaning and decorating has taken gold in major national awards.

Apart from being in charge at Y Gelli in Denbigh, a home for people with severe mental health problems, for more than 20 years Philip Williams is also a director of a mental health charity and skilfully guided its staff through a period of major change.

It is this dedicated and committed approach to his caring role that has helped 57-year-old Philip, who lives in Denbigh, to land gold in the Outstanding Service category, sponsored by Hallmark Care Homes, of the 2016 Wales Care Awards, known as the social care Oscars. (more…)

Ex-RAF airman propelled to care awards success

A former RAF serviceman who has flown up the career ladder since joining the care sector is celebrating winning a national award.

Neil Jeremiah, from Trebanos in Swansea, won the coveted Gold award in the Excellence in Mental Health category of the Wales Care Awards 2016, run by Care Forum Wales.

It is the icing on the cake of a flourishing care career, which has seen Neil transform support services for people with mental health needs and learning disabilities over the past 15 years.

The dad-of-two, who works as Area Operations Manager for Tracscare in Swansea, received his trophy at a glittering awards ceremony at City Hall in Cardiff.

“I was lost for words and humbled by it all,” said Neil, 45, who has two children aged six and five. (more…)

Mental health pioneer Lucy clinches gold award

A mental health pioneer has won one of the highest honours at the social care Oscars.

Lucy Wheen, who works with Bryn Melyn Care, Wrexham, brought home a Gold accolade, after being announced winner of The Peter Clarke Award For Promoting Excellence In Services For Children and Young People at the Wales Care Awards.

Her success was revealed at a glittering ceremony and dinner at Cardiff City Hall in front of an audience of hundreds of her peers from across the health and social care world. (more…)

Former restaurant boss cooks up double gold at care Oscars

A care worker was just recovering  from the shock of winning a gold award at a glittering ceremony when she was called up to the stage a second time.

Former restaurant manager Helen Kermode was among the outstanding winners at this year’s Wales Care Awards, organised by Care Forum Wales to recognise exceptional practice in the sector.

Helen, who hails from Devon, won a gold award in the category for Residential Care Practitioner which was sponsored by the Older People’s Commissioner. She had just returned to her seat when she was named as the winner of the Dignity in Care Award for which nominees in all the categories were eligible. (more…)

Former labourer who built himself a solid career in caring strikes gold

A man who decided on a career in caring after visiting a residential home to do some building work and eventually rose to become its manager has struck gold in major national awards.

Andrew Papirnyk, who lives in Tywyn, Gwynedd, went along to Cerrig Camu in Dolgellau in the winter of 2004 to do some labouring work for the firm he was with at the time. He quickly built up a rapport with some of its residents and immediately opted to make caring his profession.

Nine years later he was appointed as the home’s registered manager and has been commended for the way he runs it and credited for helping to integrate clients with learning disabilities and mental health needs into the community. (more…)