A Wrexham care worker who was recently diagnosed with autism at the age of 29 has landed a place in the final of a national awards ceremony.

Henry Greenwood, who works as a senior support worker at Llanerchrugog Hall Residential Care Home in Rhosllanerchrugog, Wrexham, part of LifeLongLearning4Living Ltd, had always felt he was different.

But it wasn’t until earlier this year, at the age of 29, that he began his search for answers, undergoing a series of tests and assessments with psychologists before being told he had autism.

The dad-of-two, who lives in Rhos, said the diagnosis had been a blessing, helping him to understand himself better and explain why he had always been drawn to supporting vulnerable people to give them a stronger voice.

His compassion and empathy have now earned him a place in the final of the Wales Care Awards 2024, dubbed as the ‘Oscars’ of the social care industry.

Supported by lead sponsor Ontex Healthcare, and organised by care industry champions Care Forum Wales, the awards recognise the outstanding dedication and talents of those in the care sector.

Henry, who grew up in Portsmouth and moved to Wales 10 years ago, has been nominated for the Residential Care Practitioner Award.The winners will be announced at a glittering ceremony at Holland House Hotel in Cardiff on Friday, October 18, hosted by radio and TV presenter Jason Mohammad.

Henry said: “I was a bit taken aback to be honest. I just do my job – I don’t do it for any praise or recognition. I’m genuinely happy that the residents always have a smile on their faces by the time I go home.

“That’s all that matters, making sure people have a good day so I can go home knowing I’ve maybe made a difference.

“There are lots of challenges for people in social care, I’ve seen them myself over the years. I just want to use my experience to be able to help the residents overcome these challenges as someone who can see it from their perspective.

“I firmly believe people should be able to live their lives to the fullness of their ability and if I can help them do that I will, to the best of my ability. People should be able to live a normal life.”

Henry, who lives with his partner and has two sons aged one and three, left school and embarked on an engineering course at Havant and South Downs College in Hampshire, but it wasn’t long before he felt a familiar pull towards the care sector.

Both his dad and two older brothers are employed at Llanerchrugog Hall, his dad as manager. Henry secured his first job as a support worker there 12 years ago.

“My dad was a teacher at a special school when I was growing up and I used to go with him on teacher training days. So, from a very young age, I saw the impact you can have on people’s lives and how rewarding it is,” said Henry.

As a senior support worker, Henry now cares for a diverse group of individuals aged from 18 to 85 with a wide range of needs including Dementia, Autism, Down Syndrome, Korsakoff’s Syndrome, and post-stroke recovery.

He was nominated by his dad, the home’s manager, Peter Greenwood, who said he “shines brightest” in his direct interactions with the people he supports.

“I was recently diagnosed as being autistic myself,” said Henry.

“For me, the diagnosis came late. Personally, I’d always known there was something there but having that diagnosis helped me to have more understanding about who I am and why I am the way I am.

“My family were a great support in helping me to get diagnosed. I have two young boys and one of them is possibly starting to show signs of autism so me being diagnosed will help. Now I’m aware of it myself, I can probably identify a bit more easily.”

In one of many heart-warming examples of his determination to go above and beyond, Henry helped a resident to fulfil his lifelong ambition to own a ‘sit-on’ lawnmower.

“He’d always been a gardening and machinery fanatic and during lockdown he was itching to get out,” explained Henry.

“He now keeps all the lawns at the home nice and tidy. It gave him purpose and a sense of pride over where he lived. It’s about giving people the power to take control of their lives.”

He also helped a young man in his care attain an extraordinary level of independence from learning to drive through to completing a university degree and helped to locate the grave of a resident’s mother in his own time.

“It’s a greatly rewarding job but it’s also quite a demanding job. Even so, the rewards far outweigh the demands,” he said.

Mario Kreft MBE, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, said: “Our aim is to recognise the unstinting and often remarkable dedication of our unsung heroes and heroines on the front line of social across Wales.

“The care sector is full of wonderful people because it’s not just a job it’s a vocation – these are the people who really do have the X Factor.

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

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

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