Gareth Vincent, from Cwmbran, has been shortlisted for his work in maintaining 14 care homes.
He’s been shortlisted in the Commitment to a Support Function category, sponsored by residential home resources supplier Care Home Life, at the Wales Care Awards, nicknamed the ‘Oscars’ of social care.
His job with the Caron Group involves overseeing and orchestrating maintenance requirements, resources allocation and safety protocols at the care homes.
Gareth, who has three triplet daughters, aged 12, and a 17-year-old son, said: “It definitely involves juggling a number of balls at the same time, but I love my job. Joining the care sector is the best move I made and it is hugely rewarding to know that the work you do has a positive impact on so many people’s lives.
“When the Covid pandemic hit I was working for a housing association in Gloucester but the pandemic prompted me to re-think where and how I wanted to live.
“I just knew that I had to come back home to Wales full-time, I needed to end my daily commutes and find a different kind of role in my local community.
“When I was offered the position with Caron I was overjoyed. It couldn’t be a better fit for my skills, my desire for job satisfaction and my need to balance my work and home life.”
He said his work priority is the needs of the residents in the care homes: “They must always come first, no matter what else is happening. It means that days can be unpredictable but I am naturally quite calm and don’t panic if I have to quickly rearrange an itinerary.”
He joked: “Staying level-headed is something I have had to learn as a dad to triplet daughters and a teenage son who is currently learning to drive. They definitely keep me on my toes!”
The awards ceremony is on Friday 18 October.
‘Deserving candidate’
Gareth was nominated for the accolade by Caron group managing director Raam Joshi who commended his unwavering commitment and exemplary leadership.
He said: “Gareth upholds the highest standards of safety and ensures Caron Group care homes remain a secure and welcoming environment for all residents.
“Whether through renovations to improve accessibility, upgrades to enhance comfort, or repairs to maintain our high safety standards, Gareth strives to create an environment where residents can thrive and enjoy an enhanced quality of life. He is an extremely deserving candidate for this nomination.”
When not at work, Gareth, who lives in Llantarnam, Cwmbran, enjoys playing golf and spending time with his children.
He joked: “Sometimes it’s a mix of the two. These days the kids enjoy coming with me to get a bit of practice in on the green. They are turning out to be better golfers than I am.”
He is looking forward to attending the Wales Care Awards ceremony, meeting fellow nominees and being able to tell his children all about it.
Ontex Healthcare is the overall sponsor for the evening which will be hosted by radio and TV presenter Jason Mohammad.
The shortlist of finalists in each category of award has been whittled down from hundreds of nominees in the social care sector across Wales. Each finalist will receive a gold, silver or bronze accolade.
‘Unsung heroes and heroines’
Mario Kreft MBE, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, which oversees the Wales Care Awards, said: “Our aim is to recognise the unstinting, often remarkable dedication of our unsung heroes and heroines on the front line of social care in Wales.
“The 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 those who do the caring you will never provide the high standards people require and never recognise the value of the people who need care in society.
“We must do all we can to raise the profile of the care sector workforce which deserves to be lauded and applauded.
“It’s a pleasure to honour the contribution of all the finalists. Each and every one of them should be very proud of their achievement.”