WE LOOK at the heartwarming stories of three carers from Newport, who have been shortlisted for top national care awards in recognition for their years of dedication.
The Wales Care Awards take place tomorrow (October 19) at Cardiff's City Hall.
Everyday life lessons
Shortlisted for the "care practitioner in supported living" category is 41-year-old Barbara Sharland, who works for Consensus Support.
Mrs Sharland cares for six men who live with a range of debilitating conditions, including poor mobility, depression, learning difficulties and autism.
She once signed up to a six-month weight-loss regime – losing more than a stone in weight – to offer moral support and encouragement to one of the men, in his bid to lose weight and ride a horse for the first time.
“I’m really proud, it’s the first time I’ve ever been nominated for an award and it’s nice to know the work we do is being noticed,” Mrs Sharland said.
“I’ve been here for 15 years now and I regard all of the men I support as family."
The men in her care range from 56 up to their late seventies, and live in supported accommodation in Caerleon with round-the-clock care.
Barbara helps them cope with daily life which includes organising social activities and advising them on diet and nutrition.
“I’m very lucky to work with these people. They teach me every day how to get on with life and not to let anything stop me from living my life,” she said.
“Life has dealt them a number of challenges and difficulties. One particular gentleman is going blind and deaf and is confined to a wheelchair, but nothing stops him. He has an amazing spirit for life.”
Going to great lengths
A couple from Bettws have been jointly nominated in the "excellence in dementia" category.
Tim and Christine Masters have been involved in the South East Wales Shared Lives Scheme for the past five years.
As carers they support a number of people with physical and mental problems by providing respite care, and in particular they have supported two people with end-of-life care.
Social workers, community nurses, and the care recipients' families were all involved in the decision to nominate the couple who have enhanced so many people’s lives.
Mrs Masters, who has been involved with numerous local and national charities, said: "I wanted to do something for the community and with Tim on board, we work as a team."
One of those they helped was a woman with dementia.
The couple went to great lengths to build a rapport with the woman, and when she became too ill for respite care, they kept visiting her at her son’s house.
“It took a special couple for the son to feel comfortable in entrusting his vulnerable mother with,” said Emma Jenkins, the scheme's co-ordinator who nominated the pair for the award.
"They enabled her to have respite with dignity and respect, and at the same time provided peace of mind to her son."
Recognising carers' value
Also nominated for an award are Blackwood couple, Jeff and Lynne Gornicki. You can read their story by clinking the link below.
READ MORE: Award nomination for selfless couple from Blackwood after 40 years of helping others
Ahead of the Wales Care Awards, which this year celebrates its 15th anniversary, the chairman of organisers Care Forum Wales, Mario Kreft, said: "“The care sector is full of wonderful people because it’s not just a job, it’s a vocation.
“If you don’t recognize the people who do the caring you will never provide the standards that people need and never recognize 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.”
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