“This nomination reassures me that I’m on the right path and doing what I was always meant to do.”

Bonita Watts is a Senior Support Worker at React Support Services, where she supports adults to live as independently as possible and have a good quality of life.

Originally from Wellington, Somerset, Bonita has called Cardiff home for the past six years. Her dedication to person-centred care, team leadership, and compassionate support has earned her a well-deserved nomination for the Care Practitioner Award at the Wales Care Awards 2026.

We talked to Bonita about what she loves about her work, and what being nominated means to her;

Tell us a bit about your role and what your day-to-day duties involve.
I’m a Senior Support Worker supporting adults to live as independently as possible and maintain a great quality of life.

From supporting individuals with daily routines, medication and appointments, to shopping, activities, and emotional and practical guidance, my day-to-day role is varied.

As a senior team member, I help lead shifts, complete handovers and documentation, mentor staff, and ensure everyone’s care plans are followed. A huge part of my role is building positive relationships and encouraging people to achieve their goals.

What do you love most about the job you do?
The relationships I’ve built with the individuals I support are what I love the most about my job.

Seeing their faces light up with a big smile when you arrive makes you realise the real difference you’re making. I also love watching their progress and being there for them through both good and challenging days. Working alongside such an amazing team makes coming to work even more enjoyable!

Is there a standout moment or achievement in your work you’re particularly proud of?
One standout moment was supporting an individual who initially found it very difficult to engage with care support.

By being patient and working strictly at their pace, I built a trusting relationship with them. Over time, they began engaging fully – getting help with their finances, working towards paying off debt, and taking online courses to develop new skills.

Seeing their boost in confidence reminded me why building trust and never giving up on someone is so essential.

What does this award nomination mean to you?
Before entering social care, I worked in a previous job for seven years without feeling like I’d found my true path or had room to grow. Since starting in social care, I’ve progressed into a senior role, gained new skills, and discovered something I genuinely love. This nomination reassures me that I’m on the right path and doing what I was always meant to do.

Do you have any fun facts to share, or hobbies outside of work?
Family is super important to me, and I love spending quality time with loved ones, travelling, and making memories.

A fun fact at work is that I run a Welsh Word of the Week chalkboard with the individuals I support! Each week we pick a new word, and I unleash my artistic side decorating the board with them – I’m slowly picking up a bit of Welsh along the way!

“Good care is never about one person, it comes from people working together and supporting one another to give residents the best possible experience. ”

Originally from Sri Lanka, 30-year-old Hashini Attanayake is a Care Assistant at Millview Care Home, Silvercrest Care, in Ystrad Rhondda, RCT. 

Dedicated to delivering compassionate, person-centred support, Hashini prioritises building deep, trusting relationships with residents to ensure they feel listened to, respected, and valued. Her commitment to preserving dignity, building relationships, and supporting independence in social care has earned her a nomination in the Care Practitioner Award at the Wales Care Awards 2026.

We asked Hashini about what motivates her in her role, and what this nomination means to her;

Tell us a bit about your role and what your day-to-day duties involve.
Every day is different. My role involves supporting residents with personal care, meals, and mobility while also making sure they feel listened to, respected, and valued. A very important part of my role is building relationships with residents, understanding their individual personalities, preferences, and routines, and providing care that is centred around them as a person rather than simply their care needs.

What do you love most about the job you do?
For me, care is about helping people feel that they still have choice, independence, and purpose. What I love most is the opportunity to make a positive difference in someone’s day, even through the smallest things. Sometimes it can be something as simple as sitting with a resident and having a conversation, listening to their stories, helping them feel comfortable, or encouraging them to take part in something they enjoy. Building that trust and seeing a resident feel comfortable and happy around you is incredibly rewarding.

Can you share a standout moment or experience from your care work?
There have been many occasions when a resident may have been having a difficult day, feeling unsettled or withdrawn, and simply spending time with them, listening, and giving reassurance has helped them become more relaxed and engaged. I particularly value the moments when residents remember me, ask for me, smile when they see me, or share something personal from their life. Those moments remind me that the relationship I build with someone can be just as important as the practical care I provide.

What does this nomination mean to you?
I feel very grateful and honoured that my work and the relationships I have built with residents have been recognised. I also see the nomination as recognition of the whole care team.

Tell us a bit about your interests outside of work
I live in the UK with my husband, Damitha, while our families are back in Sri Lanka. Outside of work, I enjoy travelling, exploring new places, photography, cooking, and baking. I’m naturally quite creative and enjoy trying new things and making memories with my husband.

“Knowing that what I do directly impacts someone’s happiness, dignity, and independence is the most rewarding feeling in the world.”

With nine years of dedicated service in social care, 31-year-old Elise Jones serves as a Senior Support Worker at Liberty Care Limited. Living near Bargoed in Caerphilly, Elise is a devoted mother and a passionate advocate for compassionate, empathetic support. 

Her unwavering commitment to both her team and service users has earned her a nomination for the Care Practitioner Award at Wales Care Awards 2026.

We asked Elise about what motivates her to do her job, and what this nomination means to her;

Tell us a bit about your role and what your day-to-day duties involve.

As a Senior Support Worker, my responsibilities span supporting individuals with daily living and personal care, administering medication, updating care plans, managing incidents and safeguarding concerns, leading staff on shift, and liaising with families and health professionals to ensure our service operates safely and effectively.

What do you love most about the job you do?

I love that every single day is different! Assisting individuals to reach their daily goals and live independent lives brings me immense joy.

Knowing that what I do directly impacts someone’s happiness, dignity, and independence is the most rewarding feeling in the world.

Is there a standout moment or experience in your career you’d like to highlight?

What I’m most proud of overall is being a constant pillar of support for both our staff team and the individuals we care for.

Building the confidence of my team and ensuring everyone receives top-quality care makes every challenge worthwhile.

What does being nominated for this award mean to you?

It means so much. Having worked hard in social care for nine years, seeing our team’s collective hard work, commitment, and unity recognised on this level makes me extraordinarily proud.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about yourself?

I am dyslexic, and I view it as my personal superpower!

It allows me to rely less on written words and focus deeply on listening, empathy, and body language, connecting with individuals and staff on a much deeper human level.

Outside of work, I love going to the gym and exploring new places with my 6-year-old son and my partner.

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The Wales Care Awards are organised by Care Forum Wales to recognise and celebrate excellence across the social care sector in Wales.

The awards recognise individuals and organisations across a range of categories, celebrating the dedication, compassion, innovation and professionalism of those working in social care.

For further information, interviews or photographs, please contact:

Rhian Richards
Mobile: 07904965709
Email: rhianrelewis@gmail.com