A former steelworker from Torfaen who changed careers during the pandemic has been honoured for his remarkable work supporting people with dementia.

Nigel Galloway, 52, who swapped the furnaces for frontline care, has won a top accolade at the prestigious Wales Care Awards — known as the “social care Oscars.”

The Q-Care support worker was presented with the Bronze award in the Excellence in Dementia Care category, recognising how he’s transformed the life of a man living with dementia.

Remarkably, the achievement comes just five years after Nigel joined the care sector for the very first time — a move he says was “the best decision I ever made.”

The former heavy industry worker now supports 66-year-old Pete Cox, a retired lorry driver with early-onset dementia.

His life-changing support has allowed Pete to stay at home with his family instead of entering respite care, and has had a profound emotional impact on both Pete and his loved ones.

“Nigel has been a godsend,” said Pete’s wife, Gail. “Nothing is too much trouble. Before Nigel, Pete was very depressed – but now he’s smiling, engaging, and enjoying life again. Nigel treats Pete as a man, not just someone with dementia. That dignity and respect has changed everything for us.”

Nigel, who lives in Pontypool and started at Q-Care at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic after being made redundant from the steelworks, admits he never expected to stay in the role long-term – let alone be up for one of the sector’s top accolades.

“I only intended to help out during the pandemic,” he said. “But during training I was struck by the bravery and commitment of the care staff working under such difficult conditions. That lit something in me, and I’ve never looked back.”

Nigel now visits Pete regularly, taking him on walks, to the gym, and even out to old truck stops – places Pete remembers fondly from his days as a long-distance petrol tanker driver.

“When I learned about Pete’s past life on the road, I knew I had to help him reconnect with it,” Nigel said. “We’ve had breakfast at truck stops, visited museums with his son – it’s all about making life meaningful and familiar again.”

His manager, Kelly Mantle, said Nigel has quickly become one of Q-Care’s most respected team members.

“Nigel is loyal, adaptable and a natural mentor. The feedback we receive from families speaks volumes. He always goes above and beyond,” she said.

Nigel’s recognition comes as part of the annual Wales Care Awards, organised by Care Forum Wales to highlight the vital work done by care professionals across the country. The awards have become known as the ‘Oscars of social care’ and celebrate individuals who go the extra mile to make a difference in people’s lives.

Mario Kreft MBE, Chair of the 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.”