NOMINATIONS have kept coming in from across the region for the first ever South Wales Argus Health and Care Awards.

The awards have been launched to celebrate inspirational and dedicated workers in the health and care industry.

One of those nominated is Jemma Price, from Tredegar.

Nominated for the Health Care Professional of the Year Award, the 23-year-old has been working at Woffington House, in Tredegar, for five years.

She was nominated for the award, sponsored by St Joseph’s Hospital, because she “is a patient, engaging and bright individual who shows empathy, respect and dignity towards residents”.

In the nomination, it also says: “She also engages residents in meaningful activities of daily life, by encouraging residents to lay the tables, fold the linen and getting residents more active by being outdoors.

“She always wants the best for people that are in her care.”

When she found out about the nomination, Ms Price said: “I was so shocked to be nominated for this award, I never expected it.

“I feel that everybody who works in care deserves an award.”

Ms Price said that caring for people with dementia is “challenging but also very rewarding”.

“I love coming to work, it is nice to feel that you are helping somebody else,” she said.

The senior carer said she has always been interested in caring, especially because her cousin is disabled. She first started her career by volunteering at a project for adults with disabilities.

Ms Price is also carrying out an art project in the care home, decorating it with different themes. For example, she has created a corridor that resembles Hya Butt Bay, a place where residents in the local area used to go on holiday.

She said she is currently working on a piece that will represent how the residents met their partners.

Members of the public can nominate in the GP Practice of the Year award category and the Health Care Professional of the Year category.

To nominate, simply visit southwalesargus.co.uk/healthandcareawards