THE owner of a Torfaen care home, who used to work in the IT department for a bank, has been nominated for a Wales Care Award.

Liz Durlucia runs the Ty Bryn Home in Brynteg, Abersychan with her husband Adam, after moving into the caring profession 15 years ago.

The couple opened the home near Pontypool nine years ago and Mrs Durlucia has been shortlisted for the Excellence in Dementia Care category.

The 47-year-old gained an insight into the needs of dementia patients when her own father, Anthony, developed the condition prior to his death last year.

The mother-of-three, who lives in Bridgend, was surprised and delighted to receive a nomination for the awards.

“I love what I do and find it so rewarding making a difference to peoples’ lives,” she said.

“When I come in it doesn’t feel like coming into work, but just like coming from one home to another.”

After becoming the owner of Ty Bryn and seeing the need for greater provision for dementia patients, Mrs Durlucia and her husband decided to concentrate on that sector.

She has since gained a qualification to train staff and carries out her own research to help improve the standard of care.

She has also established a support service for people in the local community who suffer from dementia or are carers.

The nomination was supported by former Newport Council social worker Chris Tolliday who last year nominated Ty Bryn for an Age Cymru award.

He said: “Providing care to 20 residents who have varying degrees of memory and behaviour problems is never an easy talk but the staff at Ty Bryn are well trained and informed, and work hard to maximise the residents’ individual abilities.

“Ty Bryn goes that extra mile to find solutions and provide dementia care in a warm and caring homely environment. I cannot thank them enough.”

The awards are organised by Care Forum Wales.