A CARER has been nominated for a prestigious national award for the creative and crafty way she goes about her job.
Karen Jeffries lives in Blaenau, and started working at Maesteilo Care Home in Llandeilo 18 months ago when she took on the role of day service co-ordinator.
As part of her job the 48-year-old runs four interactive sessions a day catering for 64 adults with learning difficulties from six different homes across the area. Karen had no previous experience but her novel approach to her job has seen her and the people she works with flourish.
Among the many projects she takes part in are arts and crafts sessions, computer classes and language and numeracy sessions.
Her bubbly enthusiasm and her fresh approach has seen her nominated for a Wales Care Awards, which recognises the best individuals in the industry.
Karen said: “I am really shocked about getting put forward and I’m quite overwhelmed.
“My job is so amazing in itself that it’s just a bonus that people appreciate what I do.
She added: “We have a theme for each programme of events — the next one is New York and will end with a fancy dress party that coincides with Children in Need.
“I love seeing how the residents come on during the project and respond to the sessions. Seeing what they get out of it, and seeing the smiles on their faces is so worthwhile.
“Everyone who comes is different so we have so many different sessions running and make sure to spend some time with each individual.
“When I see how much they enjoy it, it means everything to me.”
The awards will be presented at a glittering ceremony at City Hall in Cardiff on Friday, October 24.
Read more: http://www.carmarthenjournal.co.uk/Creative-carer-s-award-nod/story-23059368-detail/story.html#ixzz3GE1eBHAD
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