Grandad's work as carer earns him gold award!

A GRANDFATHER-OF-EIGHT who embarked on a social care career after a heartbreaking redundancy is ‘over the moon’ after winning a national industry award.

- STAFF REPORTER

Leslie Whelan, from Morriston, Swansea, had spent most of his adult life working in cosmetics factories when he received the devastating news he was being made redundant in his early 50s.

With a mortgage to pay and two teenage daughters and a wife to support, the 68-year-old threw caution to the wind and applied for a position as a support worker with Swansea-based M&D Care, assisting people with learning disabilities and mental health needs - and to his amazement discovered his true calling.

Now a senior support worker at a Supported Living Service in Crown Street, Morriston, helping adults to fulfil their dreams and regain their independence so they can return to live within the community, he has become the toast of the social care industry with the top gong - a coveted Gold award ~ at this year’s Wales Care Awards 2025.

The Wales Care Awards, sponsored overall by Meddyg Care and organised by care industry champions Care Forum Wales, pay tribute to the front-line heroes of social care, with all finalists guaranteed to come away with either a gold, silver or bronze prize in recognition of their achievements.

Leslie was put forward for the Care Practitioner in Small Group or Supported Living gong, sponsored by Cartref Ni, and received his prestigious Gold award at a ceremony held at Holland House Hotel in Cardiff.

Leslie, who has eight grandchildren, said: “It was an amazing night, one that I will never, ever forget.