October 03, 2024 - 348 views
A talented footballer from North Wales hasn’t put a foot wrong since becoming a care worker and is now in the running to pick up a top award.
Billy Holmes, from Rhyl, proved a “natural” and has now been shortlisted for one of this year’s Wales Care Awards, organised by Care Forum Wales to recognise exceptional work in the care sector.
The 31-year-old was nominated in the category for Excellence in Leadership and Management in Community Based Services, which is sponsored by Cartref Ni and Hoop Recruitment.
Billy started working as a Support Worker for MHC (UK) Ltd in Denbigh in 2013 and over the years has progressed to Team Leader and Deputy Manager. He is now Registered Manager of Glasfryn and Garth, two homes accommodating individuals with learning disabilities and/or mental health problems.
As a teenager Billy studied Sports Performance and Excellence in Llandrillo College, After college Billy wasn’t sure what career path he wanted to follow, and a chance encounter where he was offered to see an MHC service was the start of his journey.
The left-back and central defender is still a regular in Denbigh Town’s JD Cymru North League side, but it is his talent as a Leader in care that has earned him the plaudits of his colleagues and residents.
He was nominated for the award by fellow Registered Manager Crystal Pritchard who said he had been a great support to her in seeking to provide a high standard of care, with full support of Gemma Jennings, the Director of Operations at MHC.
“He always puts the residents he supports first, working in a person-centred approach, supporting each individual to live their best lives and supporting them to be empowered and confident,” Crystal said.
“He has fantastic relationships with everyone who comes into contact with his work and he is highly thought of by those who know him. He regularly makes sacrifices to provide the best support for residents, for example supporting them on overseas holidays,” Crystal added.
Following an unannounced inspection last year both Glasfryn and Garth received excellent feedback in terms of well-being, care and support and leadership and management, a tribute to Billy’s hard work and dedication.
Staff told inspectors: “It’s just a great service all-round, with it being led by someone who brings 100% every day.”
Crystal added: “A Care Award would be a fantastic celebration of his achievements, as well as recognising all of the hard work he carries out every day and the positive impact this has on everyone around him.”
Gemma Jennings said “I am thrilled that Billy’s dedication, hard work and commitment is being recognised by the Awards, an excellent example of our MHC Values”.
Some of the improvements introduced by Billy have been adopted not only in MHC’s several other homes, but throughout Wales through Social Care Wales Forums.
He says he derives huge satisfaction from seeing the improvements brought to the residents’ lives.
“I just want to ensure that the residents lead the best lives that they can, with the best opportunities,” he said.
He is now looking forward to the presentation of the Awards, which is being held at Cardiff’s Holland House Hotel on October 18. The event is sponsored by Ontex Healthcare and will be hosted by TV and radio presenter Jason Mohammad.
Mario Kreft MBE, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, said the Wales Care Awards, said: “Our aim is to recognise the unstinting and often remarkable dedication of our unsung heroes and heroines on the front line of social across Wales.
“The care sector is full of wonderful people because it’s not just a job it’s a vocation – these are the people who really do have the X Factor.
“If you don’t recognise the people who do the caring you will never provide the standards that people need and never recognise the value of the people who need the care in society.
“We need to do all we can to raise the profile of the care sector workforce - they deserve to be lauded and applauded.
“It is a pleasure to honour the contribution of all the finalists. Each and every one of them should be very proud of their achievement."