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As the pandemic raged, 49-year-old Katherine Shorney shouldered the burden of responsibility and took charge of a 45-resident care home.

Her efforts have now seen her recognised at the Wales Care Awards – winning silver in the Commitment to Quality in Hospitality category.

The award was presented at a ceremony in City Hall, Cardiff on October 21.

Katherine first joined HC-One’s Church View care home on St Martin’s Road, Caerphilly, as an administrator in 2007. But with colleagues off ill and relocated elsewhere during the Covid pandemic, Katherine, ended up taking over the running of the home for three months.

The role saw her oversee a testing and vaccination programme for the home and provide support and encouragement to hard-pressed staff.

Katherine, who lives in Abertridwr, said: A number of our staff tested positive so obviously couldn’t work, others were helping out elsewhere and our usual agency wasn’t able to supply us with replacements. 

“Due to all this – and because I was lucky enough not to get Covid until the very end and then not badly – I ended up running the home for about three months, with lots of support from head office.

“It was a difficult time for us all and, sadly, there were a few residents’ deaths. I became the go-to person for everyone, even if it was just to provide a shoulder to cry on.

“At times I had to get myself out of the office to help out with the residents, even if it was just serving them a meal.”

She continued: “At the height of things. one lady had her 100th birthday but because of the restrictions we couldn’t help her celebrate in the usual way. That didn’t stop us having a very small party for her and she did get her card from the Queen.

“I also organised the testing and vaccination programme with the local health authority.

“We were in the thick of things inside the home but outside relatives, who we couldn’t allow to make visits, were very worried about their mum or dad. We constantly tried to reassure them they were in safe hands and we were doing our best to look after them.”

Church View care home manager, Ellen Smith, nominated Katherine for the award and described her as “always approachable, warm, knowledgeable and more than happy to help.”

Ms Smith said: “Katherine is truly the beating heart of Church View care home.”

“She was key with the COVID-19 testing and also the communications with the testing and vaccine team.”

Katherine said she was “blown away” when she was told she had reached the finals but added: “It is lovely to have this kind of feedback on what you are doing.”

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