A bubbly care worker who says entertaining elderly dementia sufferers has provided her with a positive outlet for her ADHD has struck gold at the social care Oscars.<\/p>\n
Natasha Williams has lived with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms since childhood but said it was not until she was appointed as the activities and fundraising manager for the Meddyg Care Group, which has two specialist dementia care homes in Criccieth and Porthmadog, that she found a way to apply her boundless energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.<\/p>\n
ADHD is a condition that affects people\u2019s behaviour, often making sufferers feel restless, impatient and preventing them from concentrating.<\/p>\n
Mum-of-two Natasha, who was born and raised in Criccieth, says her role as an activities and fundraising manager has given her an excuse to unleash her excitement and enthusiasm for a good purpose.<\/p>\n
And now she is now the toast of the social care industry after winning two gold awards at the annual Wales Care Awards.<\/p>\n
Natasha scooped the top prize in the Promoting Fulfilled Lives category, sponsored by Boots Care Services and presented by Carol Shillabeer, chief executive of Powys Teaching Health Board.<\/p>\n
She also won Dignity in Care award, sponsored by the Welsh Government and presented by Julie Morgan, Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services.<\/p>\n
The ceremony is organised annually by social care champion Care Forum Wales which supports more than 450 care homes, nursing homes and other independent health and social care providers across Wales.<\/p>\n
Natasha joined dozens of care workers 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, Natasha said: \u201cI think this is the first time in my life I\u2019ve been lost for words \u2013 normally I don\u2019t shut up!<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure my bosses were thinking, \u2018Thank God she didn\u2019t have to make a speech \u2013 she\u2019d have been there all day! Honestly, I\u2019m just so grateful for my team, they work extremely hard.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt all happened so quickly on the night. I\u2019d just gone up on stage for the Promoting Fulfilled Lives award and my team were all cuddling me when I heard my name again. I was so overwhelmed, shocked and grateful, I\u2019m feeling a whirlwind of emotions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe care sector has been under recognised in the past but since covid, we are becoming more appreciated. We\u2019ve always done our jobs quietly, but we really can take over the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
From arranging close encounters with snakes and spiders through to booking performances by ballerinas and local performing artists, Natasha will do anything to engage her residents.<\/p>\n
She even convinced company bosses to turn a lounge into a pub and hunted down authentic memorabilia including a brass bell, beer pumps and chairs to bring her vision to life.<\/p>\n
The 29-year-old, who married her childhood sweetheart James earlier this summer, said: \u201cI love my job and I\u2019m constantly looking for ideas to do more. One of the reasons why I love it so much is I\u2019ve never been told no!<\/p>\n
\u201cI feed off other people. I\u2019m such an enthusiastic person and I always think to myself \u2018imagine having a boss that says no!\u2019 Of course, I\u2019ve had to wind it in a bit at times, but they have never burst my bubble. It\u2019s this that gives me the oomph to continue and if it wasn\u2019t for my employers, I don\u2019t think I would be as enthusiastic and always wanting to make change.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis last week I\u2019ve been on my hands and knees painting a yellow brick road in the garden! Everything I\u2019ve asked for I\u2019ve been given.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m extremely proud to have made the shortlist. I\u2019m a very dramatic person as you can imagine and so this is absolutely amazing for me!\u201d<\/p>\n
Natasha, who attended Ysgol Treferthyr in Criccieth, studied for a degree in dance at the London School of Dance. After university, she took on retail jobs and shifts in restaurants, pubs and clubs until the birth of her son six years ago when she needed a more flexible job.<\/p>\n
She secured a role as a carer at Meddyg Care\u2019s Criccieth home and was promoted to team leader within two years before further promotion as a senior carer and then as activities and fundraising manager across both homes \u2013 a role she says could not have been more suitable.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was so hyperactive as a child,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn swimming lessons, they\u2019d try and teach me things but I was busy being a shark, in ballet I\u2019d see how many spins I could do while the rest of the class were learning something else and in karate I\u2019d spend my time sliding from room to room on the floor in my socks \u2013 I was always known as the destructive one! Everyone knew I had ADHD but my mum didn\u2019t want people to put a label on me.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough it has got easier, I still have the traits. I can\u2019t sit still – I find it very hard \u2013 and that\u2019s where the activities role came my way.<\/p>\n
\u201cI now look after residents with dementia who struggle to remember their family members, but they call me a beautiful headache!\u201d<\/p>\n
Natasha was nominated for the award by Kevin Edwards, Managing Director of Meddyg Care.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cNatasha is the epitome of an employee that goes above and beyond for our residents, their families and her colleagues.<\/p>\n
\u201cNatasha\u2019s bright smile, cheery demeanour and outgoing personality brings warmth to our homes and her familiarity with all our residents is testament to her dedication as our Activities Manager.<\/p>\n
\u201cMeddyg Care are incredibly proud of Natasha and having been shortlisted for the Promoting Fulfilled Lives Award only further highlights that she is a true `superstar\u2019 and has a bright future ahead of her.\u00a0 We wish Natasha every success.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mario Kreft MBE, Chair of Care Forum Wales, 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 the 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
\u201cWe take our hats off to them.\u201d<\/p>\n