Elvis fan Paul is the king at the social care Oscars

Elvis fan Paul is the king at the social care Oscars

An Elvis fan from Swansea was all shook up when he won a gold award at the social care Oscars.

Paul Clement who often performs his hero’s greatest hits, was among the main award winners at a glittering evening at Cardiff City Hall and he was lost for words when it was announced that he had won the gold award in the Dignity in Care category in this year’s Onyx Healthcare Wales Care Awards.

The 52-year-old who works at the Plas Bryn Rhosyn Home in Neath, run by the Pobl Group, was one of two gold winners from the home in Heol Illtyd with head cook Sarah Crimmins also honoured.

For the past 24 years Paul, from Skewen, in Swansea, has been a facilities assistant at the Plas Bryn Rhosyn Home in Neath, which involves gardening and maintenance but it’s his willingness to go the extra mile which earned him bronze for Commitment to Housekeeping and Hospitality and eligible for the coveted Dignity in Care Award.

Registered manager Stuart Davies, who nominated him, said: “He is not only happy to go the extra mile but does so with a great big smile on his face, often volunteering to go out of his way without being asked.”

Paul, who has four grown-up children and one grandchild, said he was delighted to have been nominated for the award and to have had his wife Pauline present on the evening.

“The greatest satisfaction I get is from knowing I make a difference to people’s lives every single day and I’m really privileged that I can share their lives. Every single one has a story to tell, and I love spending time with them.”

He runs a gardening club for the residents and encourages them to enter a gardening competition run by Pobl.

He also helps to organize other social events at Plas Bryn Rhosyn including regular Elvis cabaret nights when he regularly performs as his hero.

Plas Bryn Rhosyn head cook Sarah Crimmins, 41, a mum of two from Seven Sisters, who took gold in the catering category sponsored by Harlech Foodservice, heads a team of five at the home which has 59 residents, including some with dementia.

She enjoys making meals as interesting and varied as possible has devised a new four-week menu which includes tasty vegetarian dishes and regular vegan dishes and Stuart Davies said:

“Residents often comment on how spoiled they are and how they look forward to the buffets she lays on for special events.

Those special events include monthly “theme days” such as a “50s day” with milkshakes, ice-cream and hot dogs on offer. Each time the staff enter into the spirit by dressing up appropriately. 

Sarah stated: “If my parents were in a home I would like them to have the best, and that is what I try to do. I have a real passion for what I do and like to give it 100%.”

Mario Kreft, 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.”