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A care worker who followed his sister into the profession after a career U-turn has won a carer’s gold award – and says he owes it to her.

Chris Davis, 30, works for the Tredomen-based Values in Care – a company which helps people with complex needs.

As part of Chris’ job as a project and behavioural support manager, he has been keen to provide better development opportunities in the sector – something which has seen him nominated for a prestigious award.

Chris, from Wyllie, leads a team working with Educ8 Training, also based in Tredomen, to provide apprenticeship opportunities within the care sector.

Chris’ work has seen him win gold at the 2022 Wales Care Awards, which were held at a ceremony in City Hall, Cardiff, on October 21. He was shortlisted in the Commitment to Training and Workforce Development Award.

He entered the care industry as an apprentice with Blackwood-based Liberty Care six years ago and has described his current role as his “dream job”.

Speaking after his win, Chris said: “The entire awards do was a massive blur, I don’t think I’ve stopped smiling since, I’m still buzzing.

“It was so lovely and such an honour to be a part of such a brilliant night rubbing shoulders with the likes of Bryn Terfel.

“I’m so proud to be a part of such an amazing team.”

Speaking about his role, Chris said: “My favourite part of my job is delivering training and I have been so lucky to have amazing people and organisations that have supported me since starting. 

“Liberty Care gave me the best opportunities to develop in my career and I am so grateful to that company.

“Values in Care have believed in me and understood the importance of training and supported me to develop training packs and deliver bespoke courses to some of the best staff I have ever had the pleasure to work with.”

He added: “I owe so much to my sister Ceri, I never would have started in care without her. Watching how she does her job with so much pride and dedication has always inspired me to be better. She deserves an award.”

“I would not have been on that stage receiving that gold award at the Wales Care Awards without my wife or the amazing people in my life. Thank you, all of you,” he added.

Mario Kreft, chairman of Care Forum Wales, said the ceremony was all the more poignant because of the Covid pandemic and what front line staff had endured.

He said: “I 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.”