18 October 2022
Hallmark Care Homes team shortlisted for two Wales Care Awards
Two team members from our Central Support office and Ty Enfys Care Home have been shortlisted for the prestigious Wales Care Awards.
General Manager at Ty Enfys Care Home in Cardiff, Sujjata Singh has been shortlisted in the ‘Nurse of the Year’ category.
Meanwhile, Learning and Development Coach at our Central Support offices in Essex, Patricia Brown has been shortlisted for the ‘Training and Development’ category.
The esteemed awards, first established in 2003 by Care Forum Wales, seeks to reward the champions in the sector and raise public awareness of the contribution made by the social care workforce.
Sujjata, whose nursing career spans 25 years has a firm belief that the best way to achieve outstanding leadership and have a strong team starts with her.
Her admirable ethos has pumped through the heart of Ty Enfys, ever since she joined in 2009.
Sujjata can always be found lending her help, knowledge and expertise to team, residents and visitors alike, making them feel valued from ordering pizzas and encouraging personal development, to fighting for equality in wages and a better future.
Her open-door policy means everyone knows how to reach out to her and she will always dedicate time to listen.
Bethan Hurley, Customer Relationship Manager who nominated the grandmother-of-two said: “The team is always encouraged to contribute ideas and suggestions to improve the home and things for the residents.
“Sujjata strongly believes that the team’s ideas are key to the effective running of the home and gives a feeling of inclusion for all.
“An important factor to motivating your team is to know and understand them all. Talking to them and finding out what they need and where they are. Sujjata will always offer time to listen to anyone and this results in a culture of mutual respect.
“Sujjata is the perfect definition of a leader – honest, courageous, integrity and has a clear focus.”
She added: “Ty Enfys would not be the same home without Sujjata at the forefront and we are always thankful for her continued guidance, dedication and support.”
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Sujjata had to adapt quickly and consistently, keeping abreast of all updates and changes from Public Health Wales and the Welsh Government with strength and compassion.
Her dedicated team said she did this “with great courage and integrity” with the Ty Enfys family – including its 101 residents – her main focus.
She even held mindfulness and yoga sessions for hardworking team as well as insisting on picnic lunches in the fresh air.
She has been described as “warming and welcoming to anyone who needs anything, whether work or personal” and lets families know she’s available day or night – often providing them with treats and gifts.
About being shortlisted, Sujjata said she was “really humbled, delighted and lost for words.”
She added: “When I came to work over here, I had never seen so many elderly people, it was a shock to the system but what I very quickly found out is what they need more than anything else is love and compassion.
“I come from a culture where we take care of our elderly at home so when I came here, I had that same passion.
“Elderly people have beautiful life and just because of their age, it doesn’t mean they have to stop living.
“Here I have the chance to make a difference to someone’s life every single day, it’s the best job in the world.”
Patricia has worked in the care sector for over 12 years and for the past two years has been Hallmark’s Regional Learning and Development Coach, responsible for overseeing training in six homes across South Wales.
She was nominated for the award by the Trainee General Manager Gavyn Bolton, who, as one of her students, has benefitted from her experience and skill.
“As I have progressed I have found that nothing is too much trouble for her and she is always ready to help and make time,” he said.
Gavyn is based at the Regency House in Ely, where he says that Patricia has made a huge difference, delivering all aspects of training including manual handling, first-aid, preparing care plans, supervision and dementia care.
“I have witnessed newer members of the teams who have struggled initially progress and grow in confidence under her exceptional tutorage and her excellent delivery of training, whether it be classroom-based or one-to-one” said Gavyn.
Like all sectors of the care industry Hallmark Care Homes faced huge challenges during the Covid pandemic but Patricia provided invaluable support to the care team, often rolling up her sleeves to help.
“She is a huge asset to Hallmark Care Homes,” Gavyn added.
Patricia, 37, who has several relatives who have worked in the health sector, said she derived great satisfaction from focusing training and seeing the development of team.
Away from work, she leads a very active life and loves exciting challenges.
“I am an adrenaline junkie and have done skydiving and ziplining. I love things like that,” she said.
She has also returned to horse riding after having taken a break from it for some time.
Mario Kreft MBE, Chair of Care Forum Wales, said the aim of the Wales Care Awards was to recognise the unstinting and remarkable dedication of unsung heroes and heroines across Wales.
He said: “The social care sector is full of wonderful people because it’s not just a job, it’s a vocation – these are people who go the extra mile for others.
“During the Covid crisis, this fantastic workforce rose magnificently to the challenge, putting their own lives on the line to do everything they possibly could to safeguard the people for whom they provide care.
“Unfortunately, it has taken a global pandemic for many other people to realise how important and how significant our social care workforce is.
“Their incredible contribution was summed up best in the powerful and emotive words of the song, Heroes of our Heart, written by the acclaimed poet Mererid Hopwood and sung by Sir Bryn Terfel, which was set to the famous tune of Men of Harlech. The message that the diolch should last forever is one that we should never forget.
“If you don’t recognise the people who do the caring you will never provide the standards people need and never recognise the value of people who need care in society.
“All the nominees deserve to be lauded and applauded and it’s a real pleasure to honour the contribution of all the finalists.
“I congratulate all the individuals who have shown outstanding dedication and professionalism. Every one of them should be proud of their achievement.
“They are Wales’s finest.”
The winners of the Wales Care Awards will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony on Friday 21st October presented by Welsh singer and actor Wynne Evans at City Hall in Cardiff.
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