Gwent-Based Carer Celebrates 26-Year Anniversary At Shaw Healthcare
A care support worker in Tredegar has celebrated her 26th anniversary working for health and social care provider, Shaw healthcare.
Angela Holland, 45, originally joined the team at Sunnybank Nursing Home as a junior cook in 1989 at the age of 19 having completed a college course in catering. After gaining years of experience and supervising the preparation and cooking of meals for up to 24 residents every day, she progressed to being head chef which involved managing a team of catering assistants.
In 2011, after 22 years in the kitchen, Mrs Holland’s career at Shaw healthcare changed direction when she transferred to Maes-y-Dderwen Care Home, a specialist facility in Tredegar, to work as a care support nurse for a trial month which soon became a permanent role.
In her role as a support nurse at Maes-y-Dderwen, Mrs Holland provides specialist care and support to mostly younger service users with mental health issues, as well as day-to-day caring for elderly patients.
Mrs Holland was presented with the ‘Longest Service Award’ certificate by Jeremy Nixey, chief executive of Shaw healthcare, at a national staff awards presentation in Oxfordshire to mark her 26 years of service.
Mrs Holland said: “From my early career working in the kitchens at Sunnybank to my current position as a support nurse, I’ve loved every minute at Shaw healthcare and the last 26 years have flown by.
“Through the support of my manager, Emma, and everyone I work with, I’ve really been able to progress my career and am proud t of what I have achieved. The regular training and courses that Shaw sends us on has given me the confidence to grow professionally and personally. I found the transition from cook to carer very daunting initially, but once I got started the guidance I had was fantastic.
“The most rewarding part of my job is the interaction I have with residents and the best part of my day is being able to chat to them over a cup of tea. My job is to ultimately support residents in their transition to living as independently as possible – it is so fulfilling to see how much they can achieve with help and encouragement.
“I was really touched to be honoured with an award for my services and look forward to many more happy years with Shaw healthcare.”
Emma Watkins, manager of Maes-y-Dderwen Care Home, said: “The whole team would like to congratulate Angela on her fantastic achievement of 26 years of service at Shaw healthcare. Whether cooking or caring, she has been a key member of staff both at Sunnybank and here at Maes-y-Dderwen.
“Angela has a wealth of experience and is a great asset to our close-knit team. Her determination to progress and develop her career is testament to her commitment to our service users. She is a familiar face for vulnerable residents and really helps to build their confidence when they are on their journey to independent living. We are very proud to have her as part of our team.”
