Tag: Care Forum Wales

Artistic Mandy is as good as gold

An artistic nurse who has brought colour to the lives of residents at a Haverfordwest nursing home now has an extra colour – gold – on her palette.

Mandy Zatac, who joined the staff of Rickeston Mill Nursing Home 12 months ago, has created a series of colourful murals included a sea-themed lounge and a corner dedicated to film star Marilyn Monroe.

That helped her to gain a nomination for this year’s Wales Care Awards organised by Care Forum Wales to recognise exceptional standards in the care sector and at a ceremony in City Hall, Cardiff, she was presented with a gold award.

Mandy, 40, was nominated in the category for Excellence in Dementia Care, sponsored by FISC Healthcare. (more…)

Caring Gina is as good as gold

A care worker who leads by example has captured a prestigious gold award.

Gina Ashby from Guilsfield was among the top prizewinners at this year’s Wales Care Awards, known as the social care Oscars. The ceremony took place at City Hall, Cardiff, and the MC for the evening was opera singer Wynne Evans, also known as Compario from the TV adverts for Go Compare.

The awards are organised by Care Forum Wales to recognise good practice in the care sector and Gina, who is a care assistant at the Rhallt Care Home in Welshpool, won gold in the category for Residential Care Practitioner. (more…)

Man of steel Gareth has heart of gold

A former steelworker who has had major heart surgery can now be said to have a heart of gold.

For Gareth Watkins was among those honoured in this year’s Wales Care Awards, organised by Care Forum Wales to recognise exceptional practice in the sector.

At a ceremony in City Hall, Cardiff, Gareth, from Pontypool, received a gold award in the category for Practitioner.

After leaving school he became an apprentice in the steel industry and went on to become a supervisor and section manager. He spent a total of 38 years in the industry, much of it in Llanwern. (more…)

Silver award for mum with heart of gold

A mum of two with a heart of gold now also has a touch of silver. Emma Ogden came away from a glittering ceremony at City Hall, Cardiff, with one of the major awards in this year’s Wales Care Awards, known as the social care Oscars.

The awards are organised by Care Forum Wales to highlight and reward exceptional practice in the care sector and Emma was shortlisted in the category for Supported Living or Small Group Community Living Care Practitioner. Her CV, which highlighted her diligence and compassion, so impressed the judges that she was presented with a silver award. (more…)

Carer who came back out of retirement to do job she loves strikes silver in major national awards

A highly experienced carer who loves her job so much that she came out of retirement to look after vulnerable adults has struck silver in major national awards.

Celia Callaghan had only been at home for two weeks when she realised she missed the life so much she had to return to work. And at the age of 61 she became a support and rehabilitation practitioner at a residential care home run by Integra Community Living Options in Rhonda Cynon Taf.

Away from work Celia, who lives at Gilfach Goch near Tonyrefail, also finds time to help care for her daughter who suffers from mental health problems and her grand-daughter who has a physical disablility. (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…)

Former A&E nurse celebrates national award success

A former A&E nurse who left her native Romania to become a care worker in Wales has struck gold at the industry’s ‘Oscars’.

Registered nurse Andreea Schiopu, who works as deputy manager at Mill View Care Home in Ystrad, Rhondda Cynon Taff, scooped the top gong in the Nurse of the Year category at the Wales Care Awards 2016.

The prestigious national awards, run by Care Forum Wales, acknowledge the hard work and exceptional performances of those in the care sector. (more…)