Award-Winning Emmanuel Brings Smiles And Songs To Care Home Residents

A care home worker who brightens the lives of residents by bursting into song and playing dominoes has been honoured with a Smile Award.

The award, decided by votes from staff and residents at the Pendine Park care organisation in Wrexham, North Wales, celebrates those who go the extra mile to make life brighter for others.

This year’s winner, 37-year-old father-of-two Emmanuel Dela Cruz, was recognised for his warmth, energy and dedication to residents at the Bodlondeb care home.

His manager, Arlene Elano, said: “Emmanuel is the heart of Bodlondeb. He’s always smiling, always singing and always ready to help. He truly represents what Pendine is all about.

“He nominated by everyone here at Bodlondeb. For all of us here Bodlondeb is a real family. There’s a closeness, friendliness and belonging and Emmanuel is a perfect example of that.

“You can ask anyone here and they’ll say the same thing. Emmanuel is a positive spirit and a role model.

“Everywhere he goes he’s smiling. He never complains and when we need him he’s there. He’s just a great staff member who works with dedication and commitment.

“What’s more, he’s even a singer. He sings for our residents and when we need a singer for an event we know we can turn to him.

“I and the family here at Bodlondeb are so proud of him. Emmanuel is a person with a great heart who inspires all of us.”

Emmanuel, a business and marketing graduate, and his family came to the UK from the Philippines four years ago and he was working as a supervisor in a Primark store when his wife, a nurse, suggested he would make a good care worker.

He said: “I met Arlene at a Filipino community gathering in Wrexham and asked her about the possibility of working in care and she offered me the opportunity to join Pendine Park.

“At first I was a bit scared because it wasn’t anything I’d thought about before but Pendine provide very good training on how to deal with people, including those with dementia.

“I have learned to play dominoes since I came to Bodlondeb. We have a resident who is a really good player and I learned the strategy of the game from him.”

Emmanuel and his wife have two children, aged five and two, and love hiking and he also loves music and singing and he said: “People from the Philippines like to sing so I sing for our residents.

“They really like it, especially Elvis songs, and even the residents with dementia can remember the songs and I think it’s good for them to sing.

“I really enjoy my job with Pendine Park and I’d love to progress my career here.”

Sarah Edwards, Pendine Park’s consultant artist in residence, helped organise the Smile Awards and she said: “We encourage everyone to vote and the Smile Awards are very popular.

“It’s always important to celebrate the great work we all do, and for everybody’s contribution to be recognised.”

Caption

Bringing a smile to his work with residents at Pendine Park is care practitioner Emmanuel Dela Cruz who was nominated for a Smile Award by Bodlondeb deputy manager Arlene Elano.

Bringing a smile to his work with residents at Pendine Park is care practitioner Emmanuel Dela Cruz.