Tears flowed when a Gwent woman took to the stage to receive a prestigious award.

Jon Price was filled with pride when the spotlight fell on his wife Andrea at a ceremony in Cardiff’s Holland House Hotel.

For Andrea, 51, was among the recipients of this year’s Wales Care Awards, which are organised by Care Forum Wales to recognise outstanding work in the care sector.

The glittering event, sponsored by Ontex Healthcare, was hosted by TV and radio presenter Jason Mohammad.

Andrea, from Fleur-de-Lys, Blackwood, who was nominated after just six months in her new job, received the gold award in the category for Exceptional Newcomer, sponsored by the Educ8 Group.

She is a support worker at Springfield Residential House in Gilfach, owned by My Choice Healthcare Wales Ltd., and which is home to six people with learning difficulties. She was nominated for the award by Claire Taylor, the home’s manager, with backing from her line manager.

“Although she had worked within the social sector for only six months when we nominated her, when watching her carry out her role you would never believe it,” said Claire.

The way in which Andrea adapted to her new role is hardly surprising, however, as it is an extension of the work she had done in caring for disabled members of her own family, in particular husband Jon.

In 2019 he suffered a massive heart attack and was not expected to survive.

At the time Andrea was running the clubhouse at Fleur de Lys Rugby Club but had to give it up because of Jon’s lengthy treatment, during which he underwent a heart transplant.

When he was well enough she started looking for a new job and the post at Springfield “just came up”.

Whilst prepared to undertake any training offered, Andrew proved a “natural” in her desire to help people and quickly recognised that to deliver the best care and support “different strokes for different folks” was needed.

Claire told judges that Andrea was always smiling and energetic in her approach and “truly embraced the social care values of respect, compassion and dignity”.

“I really wish I had done this years ago because it is so rewarding to see the response from the individuals,” said Andrea, who had previously worked in Jobcentres in Caerphilly and Newport. “I’m sure that caring for disabled members of my own family over the years has helped.”

Andrea said she was taken aback by the scale of the presentation evening, at which she was supported by Jon and several colleagues.

“It was much grander than I’d imagined and I was really shocked to win,” she said.

“It was a lovely evening and Jon was crying when my name was announced.”

Mario Kreft, chairman of Care Forum Wales, said the standard of entries was extremely high.

He added : “There are only winners here tonight so it is only fitting that the finalists will receive a gold, silver or bronze Wales Care Award.

“I trust that they will continue to inspire those around them as role models and encourage others to aspire to even greater heights and in the months and years to come.

“This awards ceremony is our opportunity to pay tribute and to celebrate the talent and commitment that is improving the quality of life for thousands and thousands of people throughout Wales.

”We take our hats off to them.”