Supermum Michelle in running for social care Oscar

A leading light in social care training whose daughter harnessed her autism to help run the care homes company she founded is in the running for a social care Oscar.

Michelle Martin, Clinical Director of M&D Care Limited, Carmarthen, has been shortlisted to receive an accolade at the Wales Care Awards 2019.

The modest mum of two says the nomination is as much a tribute to her co-workers, including daughter Sian, 33, who has been identified as being on the high functioning autism spectrum.

Sian is a PA and manager of inductions at M&D Care while son Steffan, 31, is the managing director.

A number of other family members have also been confronted with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.

But the challenges of living with the conditions have not denied them full lives. Michelle believes that having had loved ones with experience of mental wellbeing issues has enhanced her own understanding of the needs of care home residents facing similar battles.

She said: “It’s helped me recognise signs of people having difficulty and formulate plans to help them effectively address those difficulties.

“For me it’s always been doubly important to promote the highest possible standards of staff training. That’s not just because of my own family background, but when I started my career care sector procedures were much more institutionalised, even de-humanising, so different than today.”

Held annually, the Wales Care Awards are run by Care Forum Wales to showcase best practice, recognise achievements and dedication of the social care workforce. They are supported by 450 care organisations.

The award winners will be announced before an audience of their peers at a glittering ceremony at Cardiff City Hall on Friday, October 18. The occasion will be hosted by tenor and radio presenter Wynne Evans, better known as Gio Compario from the Go Compare television commercials.

Michelle, who has created staff training models replicated at care homes across Wales, was dumbfounded to hear she is on the shortlist for a gold, silver or bronze honour in recognition of outstanding service.

She is nominated in the commitment to training and workforce development category, sponsored by WJEC training consortium and City and Guilds.

Her name was put forward by M&D Care director of operations, Michael Bevan, who praised her person-centred approach, saying she is always on hand to directly support staff.

Michelle, 57, started as a trainee nurse, aged 17, at St David’s psychiatric hospital, Carmarthen.

She was among the first nurses tasked with helping transfer patients from institutions to more community based settings.

Later she worked with patients suffering addiction, mental health problems, and learning disabilities. She also worked with the medium secure Caswell Clinic in Bridgend.

She witnessed examples of poor practice in the early years which made her determined to do all she could to push for improved training.

She launched M&D Care with two other directors in 2007, opening their first home in 2008. It now has eight facilities, supported living and domiciliary schemes, and more projects in the planning stages.

As well as Steffan and Sian, Michelle’s partner, Ainsley, works in the business, in recruitment, and daughter-in-law, Leanne, is a nurse.

Michelle maintains a hands on approach, saying: “We have employed a PhD student to create a solid knowledge base in social care.

“It’s my passion to ensure the care we offer is the best. I want to make a positive difference to people’s lives. I always ask myself if I would be happy with the standard of care we provide and I won’t allow myself to rest unless the answer to that is yes.”

Chair of Care Forum Wales, Mario Kreft MBE, said the care sector is full of wonderful people like Michelle.

He said: “For them it’s not just a job, it’s a vocation – these are the people who really do have the X Factor.

“The Wales Care Awards event is now firmly established as one of the highlights in the Welsh social care calendar. The aim is to recognise the unstinting, often remarkable dedication of our unsung heroes and heroines across Wales.

“If you don’t recognise the people who do the caring you will never provide the standards people need and never recognise the value of the people who need care in society.

“We must do all we can to raise the profile of the care sector workforce – they deserve to be lauded and applauded.

“It’s a pleasure to honour the contribution of all the finalists. Each and every one of them should be very proud of their achievements.”