A nurse whose career has spanned more than five decades — from hospital wards to care homes — has been recognised with a nomination for a top care awards.

Sharon Leach, from Newport, who began her nursing journey at the age of just 16, has been named as a finalist at the Wales Care Awards, dubbed the social care Oscars.

She has been shortlisted in the Outstanding Service Category, sponsored by the Caron Group

The event is being organised by Care Forum Wales to recognise exceptional work of the unsung frontline heroes in the social care sector.

The presentation ceremony, sponsored by Meddyg Care, is being held at Cardiff’s Holland House Hotel on Friday, October 17.

The now-retired nurse and former care home manager described her nomination as “overwhelming and humbling”.

She said: “I did what I always wanted to do — I loved nursing and management. I never expected to be up for an award for doing the job I was passionate about.”

Sharon started her career on a cadet nursing course in the early 1970s, eventually becoming a State Registered Nurse and later managing several care homes across Gwent, Ty Ceirios nursing home in Pontypool before being appointed as a nurse at Claremont Court Care Home in Newport..

She formally retired earlier this year, but not before making a lasting mark on the lives of residents, families and staff — particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, which she described as one of the most defining moments of her career.

“It was a privilege to work during that time. Families couldn’t be with their loved ones, so we had to be their link — emotionally and physically. We found new ways to keep them connected. It was hard, but we absolutely nailed it as a team,” she said.

Sharon’s dedication didn’t fade with seniority. Just three years ago, she returned to frontline nursing, completing regular bank shifts to stay close to the residents she cared so deeply about.

Now enjoying her well-earned retirement, Sharon is focusing on family life — going for long walks with husband Steve, spending time with her grandchildren, and training her new puppy, a toy poodle named Myfanwy.

Her former manager at Claremont Court, Sue Percival, who nominated her for the award, said Sharon was “the beating heart” of the care home.

“Sharon has dedicated her life to achieving the best for residents in Newport. Her compassion, leadership and clinical knowledge were instrumental — especially through the challenges of the pandemic. She not only supported residents, but also the families and staff who relied on her guidance.”

Mario Kreft MBE, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, said: “Care Forum Wales has been working tirelessly for more than 30 years to promote the social care sector.

“We established the Wales Care Awards to show our appreciation to the workforce and the wider sector for the remarkable and vitally important contribution everybody makes, day in day out.

“The event  underlines the importance of the social care sector. It is the glue that binds our communities together, both socially and economically.

“Our mission is to be the voice of social care in Wales to advocate on the sector’s behalf, holding truth to power in order to secure a fair deal to recognise the dedication of our front line heroes and heroines across our nation.

“If you don’t value the people who do the caring you will never provide the standards that people need and never recognise the value of the people who need the care in society.

“Every single one of our finalists is a winner and will be presented with a gold, silver or bronze award.”