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

Care worker Lizzie Lewis said she was ‘still in shock’ after being announced as a winner at the prestigious 2019 Wales Care Awards held in Cardiff’s City Hall.

The 35-year-old works as a care assistant with College Fields Nursing Home in the town where her passion for the welfare of the elderly has led her to becoming the home’s wellbeing champion’, devoting one-to-one time with her residents.

And it is thanks to the difference she has made to the lives of College Fields residents that Lizzie won gold in the category of excellence in dementia care.

Ms Lewis said receiving the award was an unforgettable experience.

She said: “I honestly did not think I would win. The ceremony was live-streamed and my mum, who was watching, said my face lit up when I heard I had won gold! I am still a little in shock, I keep looking at the award and telling myself ‘yes, I did it!’

Organised by Care Forum Wales, the Wales Care Awards aim to recognise the hard work and dedication of those in the care sector.

She was nominated for an award by College Field’s manager, Helen Randall who said the dedicated care worker had ‘an ability to give each resident a sense of purpose and a reason to smile’.

Ms Lewis who has worked in the care sector for the past seven years.

She moved to Barry from Ipswich two years ago and has been the home’s wellbeing champion for the last 12 months.

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

“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,” she said.

She said her Wales Care Award was a tribute to her colleagues as well as College Fields’ residents.

“This award was such a team effort as I am only able to succeed thanks to them. If I hadn’t been given the role of Wellbeing Champion and had the support to do all things I want to do, it would not be possible, so this award is for everyone at College Fields,” she said.

She now hopes that her Wales Care Award success will inspire even more people to consider the career she loves.

“If a career in care work is something you are considering and you feel you can make a difference, I say go for it. It is not always easy, but it is the most enjoyable and rewarding job in the world,” she added.