Care staff thanked for ‘making a difference’

Domiciliary care staff throughout Bridgend County Borough have been thanked for their ongoing efforts to provide local communities with vital support.

Council Leader Huw David and Cabinet Member for Social Services and Early Help, Councillor Nicole Burnett, have visited carers to thank them personally at settings ranging from the Bryncethin Depot and the Glyncynffig facility in Kenfig Hill to new, purpose-built supported living units at Maesteg.

The visits follow a recent report from Care Inspectorate Wales that has praised the service and highlighted how it has drawn positive feedback about the care and support that people are receiving.

Councillor Nicole Burnett said: “With up to 1,200 people using the service at any one time, the dedication and professionalism of our domiciliary care staff lies at the heart of its overall success.

“This really shone through during lockdown and the ongoing challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, and the Leader and I thought that it was important to come out to meet with some of the team and thank them personally for all that they do.

“We are hugely proud of our care teams, and the commitment and dedication that they continue to demonstrate has been reflected in both the report by Care Inspectorate Wales and the comments that have been received from the people they support.

“Domiciliary care remains an important service that makes a real difference to the lives of local people, and we are actively encouraging more people to consider how they might become a part of our care teams in communities all throughout Bridgend County Borough.”

Bridgend County Borough Council is currently recruiting across a range of permanent, temporary and casual social care roles to help boost the numbers in our teams.

Not all of the roles require previous experience or qualifications, and we are more interested in hearing from people who have the right values, behaviours and attitudes for working effectively and providing care and support for members of the community

With further details available at the council website, I hope that more people will consider joining this important and rewarding service.

Council Leader Huw David

Nadine Griffiths

Nadine Griffiths joined the council as an 18 year old and worked initially in residential care. She now supports adults with disabilities and teaches them essential skills so they can live independent lives.

Nadine said: “I left school not knowing what I really wanted to do as a career. Following in my mum’s footsteps, I was successful in applying for a post in residential care, caring for adults with learning disabilities.

“Twenty years later, I am still doing the job that I have grown to love.

“I have been extremely fortunate to have worked with some amazing individuals throughout this time, and their enthusiasm, drive and character has made my job an easy one.

“My passion for the role has driven and encouraged me, and my current post is now an assistant team leader within the supported living service.

“Working throughout the pandemic has been extremely challenging and emotional, but having a strong and amazing team behind me has made those difficult times feel a little bit more manageable. 

“Also, watching the people we support as they grow, develop and succeed makes those tough days all worthwhile.”

For more details on social care vacancies with Bridgend County Borough Council, visit the jobs page at www.bridgend.gov.uk or look out for a weekly round-up of vacancies posted at the council’s Facebook and Twitter pages.