A former supermarket assistant who was inspired to become a care worker after her grandad suffered a stroke has scooped the top prize at one of social care\u2019s biggest awards events.<\/p>\n
Louise Wall, from Barry, has worked for All Care South Wales Ltd for almost 20 years after joining the organisation when her son started school.<\/p>\n
The 54-year-old care supervisor, who has an eight-year-old grandson, was motivated to help people after watching care workers support her grandfather, Reginald, in his home when he was left paralysed down one side following a stroke.<\/p>\n
Over almost two decades, she has supported dozens of service users with complex needs to achieve their dreams and gain more independence.<\/p>\n
The spotlight is now shining on her efforts after she won a coveted gold award in the final of this year\u2019s Wales Care Awards, organised by care industry champions Care Forum Wales which supports more than 450 care homes, nursing homes and other independent health and social care providers across Wales.<\/p>\n
Louise took the top prize in the Leadership and Management\/Supported Living award, sponsored by Cartref Ni & Zenergi Ltd.<\/p>\n
She received her award from Neil Ryder, chief executive of Cartref Ni, at a glittering ceremony at City Hall in Cardiff, hosted by popular tenor, Wynne Evans, best known as Gio Compario from the Go Compare TV ads.<\/p>\n
Reacting to her win, Louise said: \u201cI couldn\u2019t believe it \u2013 I was shaking like a leaf and didn\u2019t know how I was going to get up on the stage.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy team were all rooting for me and half of them were crying. They all know what I\u2019m like and how I don\u2019t like the limelight or any fuss.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a really big achievement – you can\u2019t get any bigger than a gold care award and be recognised for the job I do. It was a very proud moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re all in this together and though we may be doing different jobs from living in care, mental health support and nursing, I\u2019m so proud of everyone in the social care sector for the fantastic work they do.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a very rewarding job. What\u2019s more rewarding than helping someone to remain in their own homes? It would be my preference to remain in my own home for as long as possible and if I can help them to do the same that\u2019s what I\u2019ll do.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019ve never had care workers in your home before you don\u2019t know what to expect. You have to put yourself in their shoes and if they were active before and have had that taken away from them, then that\u2019s going to be frustrating.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you go in and take that person out for the day and they\u2019re sitting there smiling, that\u2019s what it\u2019s all about. If I can make a difference, then that\u2019s what I\u2019ll do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Louise took on a number of jobs after leaving school including a job in the former Safeway supermarket before the business was sold and the betting shop William Hill.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen my grandfather had a stroke I experienced first-hand care workers going into my nan\u2019s house to support him. I thought \u2018I\u2019m going to give this a go\u2019,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI got myself a part-time job with All Care doing two mornings a week just to see if I liked it or not then it went from there.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t regret it for a minute. This is the longest I\u2019ve stayed in one place. Care is very challenging but I\u2019m still up for that challenge and as long as I\u2019m still here doing what I\u2019m doing, I will still make that difference.\u201d<\/p>\n
As a care supervisor, Louise oversees the care packages of her clients, undertaking risk assessments and implementing risk management plans to ensure the individuals in her care receive the best service possible.<\/p>\n
Her clients span all age ranges and have complex needs such as dementia or mental\/physical disabilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cCare can be very challenging,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the pandemic, I found it very difficult and upsetting. A lot of people live on their own. I could feel their pain because I also live on my own but I could still get out to the supermarket. They weren\u2019t seeing anybody at all and it had an impact on their mental health and wellbeing to not have that social interaction.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe people we support had lives prior to receiving care and we try to include a lot of the things they used to do. One lady simply wanted to visit her daughter instead of her daughter visiting her and we provided a package of care that enabled her to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Louise was nominated for the award by Wendy Harvey, care manager at All Care South Wales.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cLouise is part of the furniture here as she\u2019s she been with us for 20 years. When I nominated her she nearly had a heart attack. When she got through, I was more excited than her!<\/p>\n
\u201cShe works really hard and is very dedicated to her job even during the hard times like the pandemic when she couldn\u2019t visit her grandchild. She\u2019s caring, knowledgeable and deserves this so much. I\u2019m so glad I did it before she retired.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mario Kreft MBE, Chair of\u00a0Care\u00a0Forum\u00a0Wales, said the ceremony was all the more poignant because of the Covid pandemic and what front line staff had endured.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cI would like to pay a heartfelt tribute to all the wonderful people who work in social care after they rose magnificently and courageously to meet the unprecedented challenges they have faced over the past couple of years.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have always recognised their true value and hopefully now the rest of Wales is also aware of how lucky we are as a nation to\u00a0have them providing care and safeguarding our most vulnerable people.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur finalists are the best of the best and are here representing the whole social care workforce who all deserve a big pat on the back.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are only winners here tonight so it is only fitting that the finalists will receive a gold, silver or bronze Wales Care Award.<\/p>\n
\u201cI trust that they will continue to inspire those around them as role models and encourage others to aspire to even greater heights and in the months and years to come.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the words of the powerful song, Heroes of our Heart, written by the acclaimed poet Mererid Hopwood and sung by Sir Bryn Terfel, let the Diolch last forever.<\/p>\n
\u201dWe take our hats off to them.\u201d<\/p>\n