Nurse in running for care award

A MENTAL health nurse who uprooted more than 120 miles to start a new life in north Wales where she took on a role in a Welsh-speaking nursing home despite not knowing the language has been nominated for a prestigious award.

Alison Jones (pictured) and her family made the long journey from Worcester where they’d lived for eight years to set up home in Criccieth, back in 2015 after her husband landed a new job.

Six months later a friend Alison made through the new school that her two daughters attend recommended that she join her in working at Plasgwyn Nursing Home, based in Criccieth and part of Cariad Care Homes.

Despite her reservations about not being able to speak Welsh, the 46-year-old was successful with her application and has been a hugely valued and important member of the team ever since - and is also well on her way to being a fluent Welsh speaker.

It’s Alison’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of the residents at the home that has now led to her being named as a shortlisted finalist at the prestigious Wales Care Awards, known as the social care Oscars.

The awards are organised by Care Forum Wales and this year’s ceremony takes place at City Hall in Cardiff on Friday, October 18.

Alison, who is originally from Hereford, is in the running for the Independent Sector Nurse of the Year Award, sponsored by Ontex UK, after being nominated by nursing home manager Jill Jones who described it as a ‘privilege’ to work with her.

She said: “She is an asset to the nursing profession and has a generous character and is always willing to help in any way she can, often in her own time.

“She is tenacious and goes out of her way to assist our residents and their families in any way she can within her professional boundaries.”