A CREATIVE care home worker from Barry who works tirelessly to provide personalised activities for residents with dementia has been shortlisted for a care award.

For the past 12 months, 35-year-old care assistant Lizzie Lewis has worked as a care assistant with College Fields Nursing Home.

Her passion for the welfare of the resident, quickly led to her role being extended and her becoming the Wellbeing Champion at the home where one day a week her time is devoted to one-on-one sessions with the residents.

She has now been shortlisted as a finalist in the 2019 Wales Care Awards.

She has been nominated in the award category for excellence in dementia care and she will attend the awards ceremony in the City Hall in Cardiff on October 18..

The ceremony will be hosted by tenor and radio presenter Wynne Evans, better known as Gio Compario from the Go Compare TV ads.

Ms Lewis has worked in the care sector for seven years and moved to Barry from Ipswich two years ago to be near her family.

She said the award nomination had come as a complete surprise.

“I have only been at College Fields for just over a year, so I am really proud to have been nominated,” she said.

“It is such a privilege to be able to do this job and I will literally do anything for our residents.

“Just because you’re in a care home, your life doesn’t just stop, it can still be meaningful and there are ways around it, you just need support.”

Ms Lewis said her role was to find out what individual residents like to do or would like to try – and then try and make it happen.

Her recent successes have included arranging for a dementia resident to go swimming with his wife and daughter and fulfilling the dream of another resident, who is in her 60s, to visit Cardiff’s science discovery centre, Techniquest.

The challenge of making a resident’s wish come true, she said, is what makes her role as a care worker and a wellbeing champion extra special.

“Everyone is different, no two people are the same, and it is so important to talk to the residents and their families and find out what they’re really like and what they loved to do,” she added.

“With people with dementia you can still reach them no matter how progressed they are, and you can get a smile out of them – whether that’s from listening to their favourite music, a simple hand massage or a trip out to do something different in a new environment.”

College Field’s manager, Helen Randall nominated Ms Lewis.

Ms Randall said: “Lizzie views each resident as the individual they really are and explores different ways of creating the kindest care for that person.

“This has led to some wonderful experiences and positive outcomes for many of our residents.

“Lizzie has such a warm and friendly personality and although she has only been here for a short period of time, she has made a lasting impression on the residents, their families and College Field’s staff.”