A caring couple who opened up their home and their hearts by fostering two young girls have been honoured in this year’s Wales Care Awards.
Deb and Simon Jenkins, from Llanharan in Rhondda Cynon Taf, first welcomed the youngsters into their home in 2011.
Now that Zara, 28, and Brenda, 27, are adults, Deb and Simon have become their carers through the South East Wales Shared Lives Scheme.
The scheme offers individuals the opportunity to be supported in carer’s homes and communities.
Deb and Simon’s love and support for Zara and Brenda, who both have mild learning disabilities, saw them pick up a silver prize during the care awards ceremony, held at the Holland House Hotel in Cardiff.
They were nominated in the Leading Practice in Learning Disability category, sponsored by Home Instead.
Deb said the biggest compliment she and Simon receive is when friends remark about the incredible transformation Zara and Brenda have gone through from when they first walked through the couple’s door to now.
She said she and Simon, who have six children between them from previous relationships and also have 12 grandchildren, have always viewed Zara and Brenda as part of the family.
She said she and Simon, a carpenter and joiner, were deeply proud of the young women they had become.
Deb said: “They first came to us through the fostering scheme and through the Shared Lives scheme we have just carried on as family.
“Their transformation and growth as young women has been wonderful.
“They do have additional needs so they do need help with some things, but they are both so much more confident, the change in them over the years has been unbelievable.
“They have learned social skills, we’ve all gone on holiday together, to Sri Lanka and Dubai and places like that.
“They come on holidays with us wherever we go, they are part of the family, they come to weddings with us.”

The couple were put forward for the award by Kirsty Ward, who works in the South East Wales Shared Lives Scheme.
Kirsty said Deb and Simon had given Zara and Brenda experiences and a life that was “unimaginable” as young children.
She said: “Deb and Simon have provided a loving and caring home that is warm and welcoming.
“They are incredible in their support, combining kindness, patience, and practical guidance to help them thrive.
“Their approach goes beyond simply offering help with daily tasks.
“They are deeply invested in fostering confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging.”

The Wales Care Awards, organised by Care Forum Wales with the support of overall sponsor Meddyg Care, celebrate the dedication of frontline social care professionals.
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 was 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.”