2020 Accolades awards ceremony, winners and finalists

The 2020 Accolades awards ceremony took place virtually on Tuesday, 10 November 2020.

The virtual programme, which was hosted by BBC television and radio presenter Garry Owen and our Chief Executive Sue Evans, was broadcast live on YouTube.

Watch the ceremony recording on YouTube.

Watch the ceremony recording with British Sign Language translation on YouTube.

Fourteen projects and five care workers were chosen by our panel of judges as finalists for the 2020 Accolades. There were six categories and one winner in each category.

Watch the videos about all our inspiring projects.

Building bright futures with children and families

Celebrating projects working with children, young people and families to help them achieve what matters to them.

Winner

Navigate Parent Mentoring Service @ Scope – For its project providing bespoke support to parents who have a child on the path to a diagnosis of disability or impairment, or who have received a diagnosis within the past 12 months. It provides tailored emotional and practical support to parents and carers that helps them give their child the best start in life.

Highly-commended finalists

Conwy County Borough Council – For its ‘Conwy Family Support Model’ project, which sees five community-based teams provide support to families. The project has also developed a bilingual tool that can be used with families to develop an understanding of what’s important to them, their needs and priorities, an action plan and a pathway for further support.

Vale of Glamorgan Council – For its ‘Families First Vale Parenting Service’ project supporting families to build on their strengths and make positive changes, helping parents feel more confident in managing behaviour, routines and boundaries. It focuses on promoting emotional well-being and supporting positive family relationships, and benefits from specialist midwifery support.

Developing and inspiring the workforce of tomorrow

Celebrating projects using effective, creative and innovative approaches to developing the workforce to meet current and future demands and expectations.

Winner

Glyndŵr University Wrexham – For its ‘Outside In’ project, a focus group that uses innovative ways to educate future social workers. ‘Outside In’ makes sure social work students learn from the experience and expertise of individuals who have received social care, social work and health services.

Highly-commended finalists

Gwent Regional Partnership Team – For its ‘Gwent Career College Consortium’ project, which offers a practical approach to recruitment challenges by providing a holistic approach to support the development, qualification and recruitment of health and social care workers in Gwent.

Mudiad Meithrin – For its training and development department ‘Academi’, which provides Welsh-medium childcare staff and volunteers with opportunities to develop a range of skills and experiences through its national training programme. In 2018-19, more than 2,100 people attended 142 Academi courses.

Improving care and support at home together

Celebrating the benefits of working together to support the well-being of people living in their own home.

Winner

NEWCIS, north east Wales – For its ‘Bridging the Gap’ project, which allows unpaid carers to access reliable and flexible respite solutions. It allows carers to take a break to suit their needs and can support an urgent need for respite.

Highly-commended finalist

Flintshire County Council Social Services – For its project providing daytime activities for more than 250 people with learning disabilities. The project helps people learn new skills, develop independence, and make social connections and friendships. It also works with a supported living programme to help the people it supports, their parents and carers access respite services.

Innovative and inspiring ways of working

Celebrating projects trying out new ways of working to support people who access social care or early years and childcare.

Winner

Bridgend County Borough Council – For its ‘Baby in Mind’ project, which provides families with effective early intervention in an attempt to improve outcomes in the short-, medium- and long-term. The project provides pre- and post-birth support to families, aiming to reduce the number of children who are looked after.

Highly-commended finalists

Carmarthenshire County Council – For its ‘We Can Run’ project that aims to improve the health and well-being of those using mental health services and promote the positive effects that being active can have on mental health. The project offers a running club and advice on lifestyle, diet and nutrition, as well as other services, such as physiotherapy and a communication platform for its users.

Newport City Council – For its ‘Project Perthyn’ initiative that has committed to opening three new children’s homes in the local authority area. The project aims to bring children back to Newport – to their homes, schools and family – and helps children stay in Newport by providing a different type of care experience.

Working with and listening to people living with dementia

Celebrating projects that put people living with dementia at the heart of their work so those living with dementia can achieve what matters to them.

Winner

The Rainbow Centre, near Wrexham – For its day centre project, a purpose-built community hub that provides a range of interventions, such as social interest and exercise groups, community outreach and befriending, as well as community transport and volunteering opportunities. The project aims to promote positive ageing and empower older people to stay as independent as possible and reconnect with the local community.

Highly-commended finalists

Gwynedd Council – For its ‘DementiaGo’ project, a bilingual service that aims to give people with dementia, their families and carers a chance to be active, have fun and be part of a community. The classes involve exercises to improve strength, balance and co-ordination to help with everyday activities. Sports, such as table tennis, are popular, as are music, singing and dancing.

Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust – For its project focusing on the way it responds to people with dementia. The project is developing a learning and development framework for its staff and volunteers, more effective referrals, dementia-friendly environments and better partnerships with key services. People living with dementia and their carers have a strong voice in the project’s work and future plans.

The WeCare Wales award was a new award for the 2020 Accolades. It celebrates individual care workers in Wales who have a positive impact on people’s lives.

Winner

Sandra Stafford, foster carer for Conwy County Borough Council - nominated by social workers Danielle Dally and Sarah Vater.

“Exceptional foster carers” Sandra and her husband Mark have been fostering since 2001, demonstrating commitment and passion, and providing a high quality of care. One foster child was placed with the family after her release from hospital. Sandra, as the child’s main carer, is faced with daily challenges, but the child has been welcomed with open arms and provided with love, stability and compassion, enabling her to make significant progress in her recovery. The child has been provided with a safe and loving home environment, acceptance, and opportunities to enjoy a second chance and achieve her full potential.

Highly-commended finalists

Andrew Mack, care support worker for Carers Trust South East Wales in Rhondda Cynon Taf - nominated by Emma Baker, the charity’s head of respite and short breaks.

Andrew was nominated for being “a dedicated, intuitive support worker who enriches and enhances the lives of every child and family he supports”. He adapts his approach to every child, building strong relationships with families and uses communication tools to understand their thoughts, wishes and feelings. He also embodies the Code of Practice, coaching his colleagues to achieve exceptional support for children and their carers. Andrew is described as being “an exceptional person, colleague and support worker who deserves the highest recognition for his dedication, commitment and skill”.

Jackie Moon, domestic assistant at Cartref Porthceri Residential Home for Older People in Barry - nominated by the home’s operations manager Marijke Jenkins.

As Cartref’s Dementia Champion, Jackie started an intergenerational project bringing the home’s residents and local school children together once a fortnight. The project engaged and stimulated the residents and increased the confidence of the young people. It has also helped break down harmful stereotypes and promote a greater sense of mutual respect and understanding, motivating the young people to become ‘Dementia Friends’ and helping establish a dementia-friendly local community. Jackie has inspired others and is assisting in the ‘roll-out’ of this programme across the Vale of Glamorgan.

Jayne Jenkins, domiciliary care worker for Bridgestart Team (CRT) in Bridgend - nominated by Paul Jones.

Jayne was nominated for her work caring for Paul Jones’s father, who was receiving palliative care for terminal cancer. Jayne played a central role in Paul’s father’s well-being, mindfulness and positivity, encouraging him to smile, talk and become as independent as he could be during her visits. Paul describes Jayne as “the ultimate professional”, “an absolute star” and “a bit of a hero”, and says, “Bridgend Country Borough Council should be very proud to have someone as dedicated, friendly and passionate about her role as Jayne is working with them”.

Kate Mellor, residential support worker / keyworker at QEWC in Flintshire - nominated by her team leader Curtis Baines.

Kate was nominated for her work with her key child, for whom she has been a consistent and key figure, and the most important role model and guardian. Over the past three years, Kate has built the child’s confidence, transforming her into a strong, independent and confident teenager. Kate actively promotes her key child’s Lithuanian heritage and often attends her events in her spare time. Curtis describes Kate’s bond with her key child as “truly special”, and says, “I couldn’t be more proud to witness such selfless, amazing work”.

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