A Barry community care worker is in line for a top award after moving 7,000 miles for a new life in Wales.

Taurai Zimbi, 41, says the best part of his job at All Care South Wales is putting a smile on someone’s face every day.

He relocated to Wales from Zimbabwe in 2024, helping to care for a patient in Barry living with a rare condition that requires 24-hour care.

Despite having never worked in the care sector before, Taurai has excelled in the profession.

His dedication and commitment have paid off, leading to him being lined up for an award at this year’s Wales Care Awards, organised by Care Forum Wales to recognise exceptional work in the care sector.

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

Taurai is a finalist in the Exceptional Newcomer category, which is sponsored by the Educ8 Group.

Previously a service station manager in Zimbabwe, Taurai had to give up work to care for his father who had suffered a stroke.

He said: “Things are very different in Zimbabwe and you give up work to look after family members who need you. This is where I learned to care for others and realised the importance of having people around you to look after you. It was then that I developed a love for caring for others.”

A father to three girls aged 13, 10 and three, Taurai said moving to Barry was “best thing he has ever done”.

He added: “I love it here, everything about it. My girls settled in straight away and made friends at school. They love it here, and because of that I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else now.”

Taurai says he couldn’t believe it when he found out he was nominated for an award.

“My reaction was ‘what, me?’,” he said. “I was very surprised. This is what I do and I didn’t realise people were noticing my effort. I am very proud and it drives me to do more good work.

“I love everything about my job. The fact that you are helping someone and helping to make their life easier is why I do it. Spending the day knowing you have put a smile on someone’s face and making a difference is what I love most.”

One of Taurai’s proudest moments was helping the gentleman he cares for to fulfil a bucket list dream to reach the summit of Pen y Fan.

With the support of the gentleman’s family a frame was made to be able to carry the seat part of his wheelchair. Taurai was asked by the family if he would like to accompany them to do the climb.

Taurai said: “It was so cold. At first I wasn’t sure we were going to do it, the climate is so different but I made it my mission to get to the summit. I wanted us to reach the top and put a big smile on his face. He was so happy when we made it. Making someone’s dream come true was a very proud moment for me.”

Care Manager Wendy Harvey who nominated Taurai for the award, said: “Taurai will always provide person-centred care to individuals making sure all their needs are met. He provides dignified care always keeping in the mind the individual’s wishes.

“Every time Taurai walks into the home there is always smiles and laughter with all the family, other care staff and the individual himself, he is so kind and caring and always supports the best he can ensuring this gentleman lives his life to the full.

“I love working alongside Taurai and as a company we are so fortunate to have him as part of our All-Care Family.”

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.”