A Cwmbran woman who has been making a difference to the lives of vulnerable people for 20 years has won national recogniton.
At a ceremony in City Hall, Cardiff, Leigh Miller received a silver award in the 2017 social care “Oscars”, the Wales Care Awards.
The awards are organized by Care Forum Wales to recognize exceptional work in the care sector and Leigh’s award was in the category for Excellence in Learning and Mental Health Services, sponsored by Educ8 Ltd and Instead Senior Care.
The presentation ceremony, sponsored by Ontex Healthcare and Barchester Jobs, was hosted by singer and presenter Wynne Evans, popularly known as Gio Compario in the Go Compare TV adverts.
Leigh, 58, Pontnewydd, Cwmbran, has been employed by Consensus for the past 13 years, having begun as a support worker at the West End Opportunities Centre in Magor. She progressed to become Senior Team Lead and Acting Deputy Manager, and four years ago was appointed manager of the West End and New Horizons Centre.
The West End Centre supports those with learning difficulties whilst people supported at the New Horizons Centre have multiple profound learning difficulties. Leigh heads a team of 15 and also works on-shift herself.
Mario Kreft, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, said the standard of entries was extremely high.
He added: “There are only winners here tonight so it is only fitting that the finalists will receive a gold, silver or bronze Wales Care Award.
“I trust that they will continue to inspire those around them as role models and encourage others to aspire to even greater heights in the months and years to come.
“This awards ceremony is our opportunity to pay tribute and to celebrate the talent and commitment that is improving the quality of life for thousands and thousands of people throughout Wales.
“We take our hats off to them.”