Care home worker with ‘a passion for making a difference’ up for national award

A care home worker has been nominated for an award at a prestigious ceremony dubbed ‘the Oscars’ of the care sector.

Chloe Meyrick, from Newbridge, has been the deputy manager of a 14-bed care home in Roath, Cardiff, for two-and-a-half years – and is now up for a Wales Care Award.

The 26-year-old has been shortlisted for the Supported Living or Small Group Community Living Care Practitioner award, and is guaranteed to come away with a bronze, silver, or gold.

The awards, organised by care industry champions Care Forum Wales, aim to recognise the outstanding work of those in the care sector.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony at Holland House Hotel in Cardiff on Friday October 18, hosted by radio and television presenter Jason Mohammad.

Speaking about her nomination, Chloe said: “This is completely new for me. I absolutely love my job, and everything about it.

“Of course, there are days when it’s difficult but the job itself is so rewarding and that’s the reason I do it. An award is a bonus.”

As part of her job, Chloe works with adults with a range of complex mental health needs and learning disabilities.

“The best part of my job is seeing people become successful and move on to greater independence,” she said.

“We recently had two individuals move into our stage four housing programme, moving from a property with 24/7 staff on to a flat of their own with no staff apart from those who pop in to make sure they’re OK.

“I was honestly so proud of them both, and started crying when I told one of them. It’s moments like that that make everything worthwhile and you realise you’re doing the best you can to help people live fulfilled lives and be independent.”

Before entering the industry, Chloe studied health and social care management at the University of South Wales, while juggling a job at McDonalds.

During the first year of her degree, Chloe secured a placement with mental health charity MIND, and returned during her second year – leading to her securing various roles in the field after graduating.

“In my first job, I was asked to work with a gentleman who hadn’t left the house for six years,” said Chloe.

“I didn’t know what I was going to be able to do but we started off taking very small steps like taking the bins out to the end of the driveway and then walking to the shops.

“By the end of the two months, he was going out to a gardening club in the community.”

Chloe was nominated for the award by her care home’s registered manager, Karolina Szyndzielorz, who described her as a “compassionate and effective deputy manager” with “a passion for making a difference to those under her care”.

Mario Kreft MBE, chair of Care Forum Wales, said: “We need to do all we can to raise the profile of the care sector workforce – they deserve to be lauded and applauded.

 “It is a pleasure to honour the contribution of all the finalists. Each and every one of them should be very proud of their achievement.”