Council colleagues excel at social care awards

Social Care Wales held its annual Social Care Accolades ceremony last week – with nominations made by the Vale of Glamorgan Council excelling in two categories.

The event, held at the Royal College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, aims to recognise, celebrate and share notable work in social care and childcare in Wales and looks at the work of both teams and individuals.

Hosted by presenter Garry Owen and Social Care Wales’ Chief Executive Sue Evans, the event was broadcast live on Youtube and saw Council nominations shortlisted.

Keri Llewellyn of All Care Domiciliary Care Agency won the accolade in the ‘We Care Wales’ category for her contribution to developing the sector.

She also helped provide social opportunities for people living in Vale care homes and people who may otherwise be isolated in their own homes.

Keri was nominated by Andy Cole, Operational Manager for Locality Services at the Council.

Keri manages a private domiciliary care agency in the Vale and has been nominated for her commitment to improving the lives of older people and vulnerable citizens in the community.

Keri set up Care Communities Acting Together (CCAT) to help bring people together so they can socialise and meet new people. She has organised Christmas dinners, pantomimes, afternoon teas and ‘race days’, without being given additional funding.

In his nomination, Andy said: “Keri deserves recognition for the outstanding and innovative work she has done in finding new ways to meet the needs of people in the community who need it most.

“Keri has demonstrated a clear commitment to improving the lives of older people and vulnerable citizens in the community. 

“She clearly has citizens’ needs at the very heart of what she does and her agency consistently goes above and beyond to try and be person centered and citizen led wherever possible.”

Elsewhere, Rondel House was highly commended in the ‘Supporting People Who Live With Dementia’ category, highlighting the amazing work that the team do in partnership with The Care Collective.

Rondel House in Barry provides social opportunities for people living with dementia and allows them to retain their dignity and their sense of independence. 

When Covid-19 restrictions meant the home had to close, the day centre team adapted quickly to continue to provide families and loved ones with ways of communicating, providing a lifeline to the people who used the day centre.

The accolades provided an excellent opportunity to recognise all the hard work that has made a real impact on people’s lives.

For full results, please head to the Social Care Wales website or watch the recorded event on Social Care Wales’ Youtube.