A cheerful care home worker in Gwynedd has won an award for going the “extra smile” in everything she does.
Colleagues and residents say that Audrey Phillips’s “smile lights up the room” at Pendine Park’s Bryn Seiont Newydd care home in Caernarfon
Her dedication and sunny disposition have seen Audrey named as Bryn Seiont’s winner of Pendine’s annual Smile Awards..
Manager Sandra Evans said: “Audrey is one of the happiest people I know and is a real bundle of happiness. This an award that Audrey richly deserves.”
The 38-year-old, who hails from Caernarfon, said she was “shocked but very pleased” to win the award.
“It means a lot to me. People tell me that I’m always smiling and that makes them happy.
“The whole point of Bryn Seiont Newydd is to keep the residents happy and I hope what I do goes a little way to achieving that aim,” she said.
Audrey joined the staff at Bryn Seiont Newydd six years ago and works alongside other staff members in the Enrichment team.
“I sort out the ladies when they have their nails done and organise the parties and other special events like Christmas and the Summer Fair.
“We’ll take the residents on outings like the bike rides every Thursday or going for a coffee or some shopping. During the summer we took some of them to the castle in Caernarfon. They all enjoy that and it’s a pleasure to take them out,” added Audrey.
The Smile award was created in 2010 to recognise those who not only smile, but who go the extra mile to help others at Pendine Park.
All the finalists were nominated by co-workers, care home residents and their families with the winners being chosen by a panel of judges.
Pendine Park proprietor Mario Kreft MBE said: “The Smile awards recognise the people nominated by staff, residents and their families and other visitors to our homes and offices.
“We aim to reward those people who in good times and bad don’t lose sight of the importance of smiling and laughing and who inspire others through their warmth and their kindness.”
He added there is a winner in each of Pendine Park’s care homes and an overall winner which this year is Divya Baskota who works at the Highfield care home in Wrexham.
She will have his name inscribed onto the shield presented to the winner each year at a special ceremony at the company’s Wrexham headquarters.
As well as the Smile awards, Pendine Park has also announced the winners of its yearly Semmelweis awards, named in memory of the celebrated physician Ignaz Semmelweis. He is credited with having discovered the importance of regular hand washing to prevent the spread of germs.
The Semmelweis awards recognise excellence in maintaining high standards of hand washing and cleanliness.
Five Pendine Park staff members have won Semmelweis awards this year recognising their high standards of handwashing and cleanliness. The overall winner is Nicole Davies from Bryn Seiont Newydd, Caernarfon.