TWO colleagues from a residential home near Llandysul have both been named as finalists in the 2018 National Learning Disability Awards.

Amyleigh Normanton, manager of Garthowen, nominated Rosalyn Redford for Support Worker Of The Year - not realising that she had been nominated too as Service Manager Of The Year.

Amyleigh, who earlier this year earned Progression Training’s ‘Learner of the Year’ award, nominated her colleague because she wanted recognition for the continuous dedication Ros devotes to the people they support.

“Ros is totally committed to bringing joy and laughter to the lives of the people who live at Garthowen,” said Amyleigh.

“Ros truly deserves this award - she’s so proactive and motivated and I’m just thrilled that she’s in the finals.”

Julie Davies, locality manager for the Regard Group, which runs Garthowen, said: “When Amyleigh arrived at Garthowen as its new manager last August the service faced a number of challenges and she’s dealt with them all admirably.

“As a result the new people we support have settled beautifully and her staff feel trusted and empowered, with significantly increased levels of satisfaction all round. She’d be a worthy winner of the service manager award.”

The National Learning Disability awards scheme is endorsed by the Department of Health, Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) and Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG), and seeks to ‘celebrate excellence in the support for people with learning disabilities and aim to pay tribute to those individuals or organisation who excel in providing quality care.’

The 16 award categories cover all areas of care for people with learning disabilities and autism - whether young or old, living in their own homes or in residential or supported living services.