Hat trick of awards for Port Talbot home in the care industry Oscars

Hat trick of awards for Port Talbot home in the care industry Oscars

A Port Talbot care home has scooped a hat-trick of awards at the prestigious Wales Care ‘Oscars’ in Cardiff.

Llys y Seren Residential Care Home in Moor Road, run by the POBL Group, took two golds and a silver at the national awards at Cardiff City Hall organised by care industry champions Care Forum Wales and sponsored by Onyx Healthcare.

Maintenance man Clive Sparrow took a coveted gold award after taking special courses in dementia care and starting up special courses in woodworking and gardening for reesidents as well as his regular round of looking after the 60 residential room, communal areas and extensive grounds.

It is this dedication and commitment that saw Clive, 59, who lives in Bryn, near Port Talbot, take gold in the Commitment to Quality in Housekeeping and Hospitality Award.

Clive, originally from Abercregan in the Afan Valley, combines his work at Llys y Seren with running his own electrical components factory and his managers at the home say he creates a “warm, friendly and homely atmosphere” for the 60 residents, many of who have dementia, and who supported his nomination for the Wales Care Awards.

Clive, who has been married to his wife Diane for 35 years has two children and two young grandsons, said:

“I love my job and the freedom it gives me to help keep things looking nice and running properly.

“Gardening is my absolute passion, which is why I set up the club at the home. I’ve also just started what we call a ‘men’s can’ club which is more for the men than the ladies who tend to be in the majority in the gardening club. I like to go with them on trips out and not long ago we enjoyed a great day at a Welsh international rugby match.

“I find it so rewarding working with people who have dementia. While it can be sometimes be either funny, heartbreaking or sad the aim is to treat them as you would like to be treated yourself.”

Clive’s manager at Llys y Seren, Karen Rogers, 52, from Margam, took gold in the Dignity in Care category and a bronze in Leadership and Management in Residential Care.

The mother of two took on her first social care role 34 years ago and she said: “It’s a very rewarding job and I can’t imagine doing anything else. I always say I’m going to retire soon but I’m still here.”

The home’s third winner was former shop worker Shauna Martin who took silver in the Exceptional Newcomer category sponsored by Coleg Cambria and the presentation was made by the Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Cllr Dianne Rees.

The death of a close family friend made Shauna, 24, from Port Talbot, determined to follow a career as a carer and she said: “I’ve done a lot of growing up in the last year.

“The death of a family friend really affected me and I was determined to make a career in the caring profession. I’m delighted I made that choice.”

Karen, her manager, said Shauna is a great ambassador for the home and not only sees Llys y Seren as her workplace, but also feels a sense of belonging.

“Shauna is an outstanding worker, an asset to Llys y Seren,” said Karen. “She is proof that the attributes needed to be a great carer are passion, drive, a positive attitude and commitment.”

Mario Kreft MBE, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, said: “This awards ceremony is our opportunity to pay tribute and to celebrate the talent and commitment that is improving the quality of life for thousands and thousands of people throughout Wales.

“We take our hats off to them.”