A devoted care worker who will spare no effort to please her elderly residents – even when they request a ‘Butler in the Buff’ – has been rewarded for her efforts after making the shortlist for a national award.

Teri Edwards, from Bonymaen, Swansea, has been working as a home manager for My Choice Healthcare Ltd for two years and currently divides her time between Hawthorn Court Care Home in Sketty and Ocean Living Care Home in Mumbles, supporting elderly residents who are living with dementia.

The 37-year-old, who became a regular visitor to residential homes in her early teens when accompanying her home care worker mum to work, says the sky is the limit when it comes to entertaining and bringing joy to her residents.

The mum-of-two, who recently made the dreams of a 102-year-old female resident come true when she organised a surprise visit from a ‘Butler in the Buff’, is now the toast of the social care industry after being announced as a finalist in the Wales Care Awards 2025.

The awards, sponsored 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.

Nominated for the Leadership and Management in Small Group or Supported Living Award, sponsored by My Choice Healthcare, Teri will discover her fate at a glittering awards ceremony to be held at Holland House Hotel in Cardiff on Friday, October 17.

Teri, who has worked her way up to the role of home manager in a 20-year social care career, said: “It took my breath away when I heard I’d made the final. I honestly didn’t expect it. My deputy manager has informed all the staff and they’ve all said it’s well deserved, which is lovely.

“Everything I do is for my residents. If they’re smiling, then I know my job is done. And as long as they’re happy, I’m happy.

“I just love this job, it’s so rewarding. Myself and my deputy often sit outside when our shift is finished and just watch the residents laughing and chatting in the lounges through the window. We spend more time with them than our own families because they need us and we get a great sense of fulfillment caring for them and doing everything we can for them.

“Going into a care home shouldn’t feel like life has ended. We support the residents to thrive and promote their independence rather than take it away from them. We’ll work with them to get to the goal they want to achieve. If they asked me to do 50 star jumps – and I’m not the fittest – I’d do it! There’s nothing more rewarding.”

Terri, who lives with her husband Adrian and has two sons aged 16 and four, grew up in Waun Wen, Swansea, and attended Bishop Vaughan Catholic School in Morriston.

Prior to her first job, she spent time caring for her grandmother who was bedridden to give her grandfather a break and occasionally accompanied her mum, who was also a care home manager, on her shift.

She started volunteering in care homes at the age of 15 and immediately felt her calling.

“I used to go to work with my mum in Mumbles and would sit and chat to the residents and give them tea and biscuits,” she said.

One of her proudest achievements was introducing a wish tree with her colleagues to help make the residents’ dreams come true, which was an instant hit.

“We had a gentleman who was receiving end of life care who wanted to watch a Swans game at the Liberty Stadium so we made that happen,” she said.

“Then, we had a 102-year-old lady who wanted a stripper! We checked with her family and the regulations and booked a ‘Butler in the Buff’! She absolutely loved it and still talks about it every day. She also asks when he’s coming back!

“This should be the most enjoyable time in their lives and the next best thing to home. We need to give our best.

“I don’t do this to get recognition. If my grandparents went into a home – or even me later down the road – I wish that someone would treat me the way I treat my residents. A smile goes a long way.”

“I honestly don’t feel like I go to work.”

Teri’s colleagues say she has improved staff retention and morale within her team and plays an important role in enhancing the environment of the home, often painting and decorating.

Bethan Evans, Chief Executive Officer for My Choice Healthcare, who was among those putting her forward for the award, said: “I am delighted that Teri has reached the finals within the Wales Care Awards, and that her warmth, kindness and passion for supporting Older People is being recognised.

“She is a force of nature and truly is a very special lady. Her determination for always putting ‘her residents’ at the heart of everything that she does is an inspiration for all those around her. We consider ourselves very lucky that she chooses to work with us.”

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 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 recognise 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.”