Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

A support worker from Bargoed has been recognised with a national award for her work helping adults with learning disabilities.

Kelly Jones, 41, received a silver award at this year’s Wales Care Awards after being nominated in the Care Practitioner in Residential Care category.

Kelly, who works for My Choice Healthcare, has been helping adults with learning disabilities at Springfield Residential Home in Gilfach for the past nine years, and has 18 years experience in social care.

After receiving her award at the ceremony in Cardiff’s Holland House Hotel last month, organised by Care Forum Wales, Kelly said: “I’m proud to have been recognised for the job I do but without the team I couldn’t have achieved what we’ve achieved.

“Everything we do is in the best interests of those we look after to enable them to have a good quality of life and to give them plenty of choice and opportunities.”

Her interest in health and social care began at the age of 14, when she volunteered at the Gateway Club in Bargoed to help people with learning disabilities.

“I’m patient and caring, and I care about people living their life to the best they can. One of many rewards of this job is seeing the people we look after living as normal a life as possible and mixing in society, enjoying everyday life as much as they can and getting out to do the things they enjoy.”

She credits her job for helping her raise her 12-year-old son Kolbi, who has autism, ADHD, and an audio processing disorder. Kelly said: “Sometimes, it can be challenging but I’ve learnt a lot from what I do in my job to enable me to help my son as well.

“I understand him and his needs and how his brain works. I’ve done so many courses over the years. If I didn’t have that experience from my job, it would’ve been one hundred times harder to cope. Having the knowledge that I do has made it so much easier but equally, it has allowed me to help others. I still learn day-to-day from my job.”

Kelly was nominated for the award by Claire Taylor, manager at Springfield Residential Home. Ms Taylor said: “I’m so proud of her, I can’t think of anyone who deserves it more.

“She takes everything in her stride and just embraces her day and is amazing with the residents. There’s not a single shift where she doesn’t give it her all.”

Mario Kreft MBE, chair of Care Forum Wales, said the awards “underline the importance of the sector – it’s the glue that binds our communities together, both socially and economically.

“Our mission has always been to be the voice of social care in Wales to stand up for the workforce and ensure their dedication is properly recognised.”