Carer in final for national social care award

A domiciliary care worker who works for Bridgend County Borough Council has reached the final of a new national social care award in recognition of her work caring for a resident with terminal cancer.

Jayne Jenkins who works for the Bridgestart Team in Bridgend was nominated for the WeCare Wales award by Paul Jones whose father received palliative care following his release from hospital.

The WeCare Wales award is in its inaugural year and forms part of the Social Care Wales Accolades which recognise, celebrate and share excellent practice in social work.

The new award is aimed at paid care workers or volunteers who work in social care or early years in Wales, who make a positive difference to people’s lives and help them achieve what matters to them.

Jayne is among five care workers to have been chosen by a panel of judges to reach the final, out of more than 70 nominees.

Nominating her, Mr Jones said: “Jayne played a central role in my father’s well-being, mindfulness and positivity, encouraging him to smile, talk and become as independent as he could be during her visits, which were often several times per day.

“She has a natural, caring nature, and put my father at ease from day one. Without Jayne, Dad would have been far worse off during his release from hospital.       

“As well as being the ultimate professional, Jayne is an absolute star and a bit of a hero as far as are concerned.

“Not only did she help Dad with his daily routines, but she listened to Mum and me when we needed some emotional support. Bridgend County Borough Council should be very proud to have someone as dedicated, friendly and passionate about her role as Jayne is working with them.”

Members of the public are now being asked to vote for the care worker they think should win with voting being open until Friday, October 16.

Social Care Wales chief executive Sue Evans said: “We know there is excellent care being provided across Wales and that many workers go above and beyond their duties.

“These five finalists reflect some of the breadth of exceptional care that is being provided in Wales and I’d like to congratulate them all on reaching the final.

“The public vote is open until 16 October, so please get involved by casting your vote and helping us choose which of these fantastic care workers should be crowned the first-ever WeCare Wales Award winner.”

These national awards celebrate individual care workers in Wales who have helped enrich and enhance the lives of those they look after – all care workers have such an important role, it is wonderful to see some of them recognised through these awards.

The council’s cabinet’s member for social services Nicole Burnett

For more details on the awards or to meet the five finalists in the WeCare Wales award and take part in the vote visit the Social Care Wales website.

This year’s awards ceremony will be taking place virtually on Tuesday, November 10.

At the event, Bridgend County Borough Council will also find out if it has won an accolade for its Baby in Mind project which provides families with effective early intervention in an attempt to improve outcomes in the short, medium and long-term. The project provides pre-birth and post-birth support to families, aiming to reduce the number of children who are looked after.

The local authority is one of the finalists in a category celebrating projects which involve innovative and inspiring ways of working.