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.

Leslie Wheelan, 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 frontline 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 glittering awards 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.

“I didn’t even realise I’d won gold, I thought they were going in reverse order, so I thought I’d won the bronze until I got back to my table!

“I’ve been doing this job for years, never expecting any awards. The rewards are the people you support, that’s the ultimate for me, but I’m over the moon.

“Each and every person in that room – even those who weren’t nominated – we’re all winners. It’s still sinking in, I’m not one who craves the limelight but as my aunty pointed out, enjoy it while you can as nobody wants to read yesterday’s news!”

Leslie, who grew up in Birchgrove, Swansea, worked in factories after leaving school and had never entertained the idea of becoming a social care worker. But when he was made redundant around 17 years ago, he said he was forced to rethink his future.

“It was a very daunting experience,” he said.

“We all went into the warehouse, and that’s when they told us. There was stunned silence all round when we all walked into the locker room to get our things. A lot of people had been there since their early teens.

“My own daughters were in their teens at the time. I had a mortgage, and everything runs through your mind at about 100 miles per hour, but you get through it. It wasn’t a nice time.”

Leslie took a year out to reflect on what he wanted to do in the future. One day, while scanning the local newspaper for jobs, he spotted a role with M&D Care at Rotherslade House near Mumbles. He went along to the interview and was thrilled to be offered the role of a support worker.

“I was quite nervous about going into care work initially but I once I started, I quickly realised the foundations were already there. I’d been doing it my whole life from a very early age!

“I’m the eldest of seven children and when my parents separated, I was dressing them, giving them breakfast and getting them to school before I even got ready myself to help my father. Without realising it, I was already doing care work.

“It’s in everybody and now, for me, it’s bringing out those skills in more detail. I only wish I’d taken it up much earlier.”

Leslie is now semi-retired and works two days a week. His colleagues praise his ability to handle challenging situations with resilience and professionalism. Through his patience, understanding, and ability to remain calm, they say he can aptly de-escalate situations and provide comfort.

“It’s not a physical job but mentally it can be challenging,” said Leslie.

“As long as I still have my own health, I can see myself still doing it.

“I’m always calm and collected and will always listen. You become part of their family and try to give them the best advice and support as I would my own children. It’s very rewarding, you get to support someone for many years and then see them move on to independent living and that’s the greatest reward you could get.

“I think the social care sector is very underrated and the people within it don’t get enough credit. It can be just as skilled, demanding and intense as any other profession – if not more – and it’s a real shame the many good people out there are not always recognised.”

Sian Henley-Davies, M&D Care’s Marketing Coordinator, said: “We are incredibly proud that three of our outstanding colleagues – Deborah Deru, Rob Hayward, and Les Whelan – have been named as finalists in this year’s Wales Care Awards. Their passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the people we support make a real difference every single day.

“Each of them embodies our values and has had a lasting, positive impact on our organisation, their teams, and the wider community. We wish them all the very best for the awards and thank them for the exceptional contribution they make to M&D Care.”

Mario Kreft MBE, Chair of Care Forum Wales, said the Wales Care Awards once again shone a light on the “unsung heroes and heroines” who make a vital difference to the lives of vulnerable people across the nation.

He said: “For more than 30 years, Care Forum Wales has worked tirelessly to champion the social care sector.

“The Wales Care Awards underlines the importance of the sector – it’s the glue that binds our communities together, both socially and economically.

“Our mission has always been to be the voice of social care in Wales to stand up for the workforce and ensure their dedication is properly recognised.”

A special moment in the evening when Mair Elis-Thomas, widow of the late Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas, took to the stage to present one of the awards.

According to Mr Kreft it was a touching gesture that reflected Lord Elis Thomas’s long-standing support for the Wales Care Award and for social care more broadly.

“Dafydd was a passionate believer in the power of the arts to enrich lives and support wellbeing and mental health,” said Mr Kreft.

“He is greatly missed, but his legacy lives on – not only through his contribution to public life as a Presiding Officer, but also through the positive impact he had on so many communities.”