‘My work is like my family: they mean everything to me’

Clare Roberts, 34, manages Haulfryn Care Home in Wrexham, which specialises in dementia care. She was nominated by Pat Downes, whose mother-in-law is one of the residents.

Haulfryn Care has held a special place in my heart ever since I was a little girl. I was 13 when my mum became the manager and, three years later, she and my dad decided to buy it. I have fond memories of helping her do the laundry and set up bingo. Everyone knew each other and we were like one big family.

In 2016, I became manager. I have 35 wonderful staff and we take care of 22 residents, who all have dementia. As soon as reports of Covid emerged, my thoughts turned to how I could keep my residents and staff safe. On 12 March, I shut the doors to Haulfryn. It was a tough decision, but I had to prioritise safety.

GETTING PREPARED

The following day I stocked up on food and ordered PPE. I wanted to be sure we had at least enough for 12 weeks. I banned the word ‘Covid’ from being used and we didn’t have the news on either. People with dementia don’t understand terms such as ‘Covid’ or ‘social distancing’ and they can get anxious; I thought, why add to it?

Keeping up morale was important. We created a private

Facebook group to post videos and photos of the residents for their loved ones to see.

We also arranged for children from the local school to write to the residents; they sent in beautiful drawings of rainbows.

At the end of March, I caught Covid and had to self-isolate for two weeks. Thankfully, I didn’t pass it on to anyone. My husband, Wayne, 37, who’s a network technician, took time off work to look after our two young sons. My staff were brilliant at holding the fort; I continued doing the rotas and orders from my bed. I returned after two weeks, despite still feeling weak, but work is like my family – they mean everything to me.

It was a big shock getting nominated for this award. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved and that we haven’t had a single case of Covid among the rest of the staff or residents, nor lost anyone to the virus. What I’m most proud of though, is how we all pulled together. Every day, my staff have been brave and come to work and I admire them. My goal has been to get everyone through this safely; I’m just glad we’ve done that.

Pat Downes says: ‘I nominated Clare because she truly is a treasure. We will forever be grateful to her and her team who’ve given my mother-in-law such loving care every day. This award is a lovely way to say thank you, because if anybody deserves recognition for the amazing job they do, it is Clare.’

Amazing carers CHRISTINE LACH from Clwyd

Christine was a tremendous friend to Elizabeth Downey through her battle with cancer. At first, Christine took Elizabeth to chemotherapy appointments, and kept her spirits up with evening phone calls. Then, she left her home and moved 200 miles to be with Elizabeth as her full-time carer. She was nominated by Elizabeth, who sadly passed away in August. ‘My life is full of happiness now after some very dark days. I cannot thank her enough,’ Elizabeth wrote in her nomination.

RACHAEL CRAGGS from Sunderland, Tyne and Wear

A nurse on the elderly ward in Sunderland Hospital, Rachael supported Liz Mcevoy’s mum who has dementia, when she was admitted to hospital during the pandemic. Painting her nails, talking her through family photos, reading out letters and using her phone to do Facetime calls with her family, Rachael was always by her side. ‘She was like another daughter, as well as a nurse,’ says Liz.

FIONA MATHIESON from Esher, Surrey

A former district nurse, Fiona decided to come out of retirement to help during Covid. She went back into care homes giving patients the medical attention they required so they could avoid going to hospital and relieve pressure on the NHS. She did this while also taking care of her son, who caught Covid. ‘I’m immensely proud of her, and proud that she is my godmother,’ says Gemma Bell.

Helping the NHS LYNDA YONG from Ascot

Lynda worked tirelessly to supply scrubs to NHS workers. She recruited volunteers, had fabric donated and set up Scrubs Glorious Scrubs, a sewing collaborative creating non-surgical scrubs. Radio presenter Chris Evans’s son, Noah, helped raise more than £100,000, which he donated to Lynda. The group has over 400 volunteers and has delivered more than 28,000 scrubs, up and down the country to our frontline heroes. ‘Lynda helped the NHS but she also inspired us volunteers who were sewing to have hope and purpose,’ says Jane Glennie.

DULCIE SCOTT from Chipping Campden

When the pandemic hit and TV production companies stopped filming, costume maker Dulcie was out of work. She set up the group Helping Dress Medics and contacted 180 other costume makers, to help her make scrubs for NHS workers in hospitals in their local areas. They made more than 8,000 scrubs and went on to make 14,000 face masks, which were given to charities. ‘Dulcie faced an uncertain future, yet she set aside her own concerns and used her talents to help NHS staff,’ says Alice Carey.

Spreading kindness LENA DIXON from Pembrokeshire

Lena is co-ordinator of Solva Care, supporting older residents in Pembrokeshire by helping them remain in their own homes. Clare Lynch’s mum, Gaynor, was part of this community, but during lockdown she suffered a nasty fall and was hospitalised. She then sadly caught Covid and passed away. Lena supported Clare, helping to rehome her mum’s dog and clear her house.

‘It is hard to put into words how painful it was losing someone precious during lockdown. Lena’s kindness made it more bearable,’ says Clare.

RACHEL THORPE from Wednesbury

During lockdown, Stephanie Foster was unable to travel from Wales to visit her elderly parents in the West Midlands. Her dad had just started treatment for stage four cancer and food supplies became a worry, but new neighbour Rachel Thorpe stepped in – she knocked on their door offering to do their shopping. She did this every week without fail and regularly checked up on them. Her thoughtfulness made a huge difference to Stephanie and her parents. ‘Rachel was an angel,’ says Stephanie.

LORRAINE AND MICHAEL KINNEAR from Camden, north London

Salvation Army Officers Lorraine and Michael have worked relentlessly through the pandemic to feed the homeless in Camden, north London. They’ve provided them with hot showers, clean clothes, over 2,000 meals and made up food parcels for the needy, all while looking after their own two young children. ‘All of these wonderful things have been done with a smile on their faces,’ says Gillian Morgan.

MANDY GLANCY from Prestwich

Mandy has been a listening volunteer based at the Manchester and Salford branch of Samaritans for 40 years and, when the UK went into lockdown, she wasn’t going to let that stop her being there for others. Keen to still be available for those in despair, Mandy, who is 80, continued going in for her shifts every week, all with a smile on her face. ‘Mandy is a truly amazing woman and an inspiration,’ says Cath Elliot.

Helping communities CAROLINE AND TOM APPLEBY from Somerset

Caroline and Tom Appleby own

The Village Shop convenience store in Charlton Horethorne. It is the only shop there so before lockdown, the couple had already taken PPE measures to ensure they could remain open and serve the community. They also set up a food delivery service, which became a lifeline for those who were isolating at home. Caroline and Tom worked seven days a week, always trying to source items the community needed, all while homeschooling their two children. ‘The pandemic has shown how truly amazing they both are,’ says Sue Gudgeon.

TINA FIELDER from Tenterden, Kent

When shop shelves were stripped bare the nation began to panic, but Tina kept things calm at Waitrose in Hawkhurst. Always cheerful and willing to help, she tried to make everyone’s shopping experience less daunting and put essentials aside for the vulnerable and key workers. ‘Tina is the sort of person you need in a crisis; she solves any issue with joy and friendliness,’ says Honey Denny-wickman.

SHIRLEY TIDSWELL from Nantglyn, Wales

With a population of just 300 and the nearest town five miles away; with no shop, post office or bus service, lockdown became a very frightening time for the people of Nantglyn. Shirley started a shopping service, keeping the residents fed throughout the pandemic. Prior to this, she also set up the Rural Activities Group, hosting monthly events and sparking life back into the village. ‘She is an absolute lifeline to many people in our community,’ says Pamela Neal.

KATIE CLAYTON, landlady of The Ship Inn, Bardsea

Throughout the pandemic, Katie has been at the end of the phone to help lift people when they’re feeling down. She’s also set up a team of volunteers to support the vulnerable and elderly with their shopping, collecting medication and delivering hot meals. ‘To all of us in the village, Katie is our unsung hero, unaware of how much we appreciate her devotion to village residents,’ says Jeannette Sage.

TINA HAMILTON from Formby

Tina Hamilton set up a volunteer-led service with the local football club offering to pick up shopping and prescriptions, post people’s mail and phone anyone who was feeling lonely. It not only helped vulnerable residents to get the necessities they needed, but also made them feel less alone. ‘It made a real difference in keeping me feeling positive,’ says Barbara Huxley, 71.

Boosting morale ELAINE HAND from Staines-upon-thames

After being furloughed, single mother-of-two Elaine immediately began thinking of ways that she could help others. She volunteered at her local food bank and within weeks was organising and distributing food parcels to those in need. In May alone, she helped to deliver 14,000 meals. She also checked up on two elderly neighbours who were living alone. Her small gestures made a big difference. ‘Elaine never looks for thanks,’ says her sister, Teresa Malone.

CHARLOTTE HARRIS from Rubery, Birmingham

Despite working full-time and having her own wedding to plan, Charlotte has remained a devoted leader to her Girl Guides. She put together activity packs which she delivered to their houses and held weekly Zoom meetings on the days when they’d usually meet up. ‘Charlotte helped maintain some degree of normality and gave my daughter something to look forward to,’ says Stephanie Giblin.

MAY AND ROBERT MILLER from Glasgow

Throughout the pandemic, May and Robert hosted a number of free Facebook Live shows. From virtual cocktail-making classes, to sing-a-long sessions and light-hearted chats, the couple kept people smiling and laughing when they needed it the most; and they also raised £20,000 for the Kilbryde Hospice, East Kilbride. ‘They are both true heroes,’ says Alice Russell.