A former flower shop owner has proved she has the knack of helping people in her care to blossom.

Wendy O’Sullivan has so impressed colleagues that they have nominated her for a prestigious award and the social care Oscars.

The 59-year-old from Springwood, Cardiff, has been shortlisted for one of this year’s Wales Care Awards, organised by Care Forum Wales to recognise exceptional work in the care sector.

Wendy has worked in the sector since 2011 and found that as a member of an activities team she could make a real difference to people’s lives.

In January, 2022, she joined the team at Regency House in Ely, which is part of the Hallmark Care Homes group, as Lifestyles Lead, and made an immediate impact. Some of the 70 residents, including residential, nursing and some residents living with dementia.

She has been shortlisted in the category for Promoting Fulfilled Lives, which is sponsored by Boots Healthcare, after being nominated by Regency’s customer relations manager Christine Ivins, who said: “Since joining the team she has worked incredibly hard in focusing on making a difference and fulfilling our residents’ lives.”

As an example of Wendy’s success Christine cited the case of one resident who had suffered a stroke, could not speak and declined to take part in any activities.

Wendy found out that the woman used to enjoy singing and after some encouragement she started to mouth words and sing quietly..

“Everyone was so overjoyed that Wendy decided to arrange a Facetime call with the lady’s sister and during the call the resident started to sing a song they used to play together many years ago. Everyone was in tears and  the sister could not believe the progress her sister had made.”

Another colleague of Wendy’s commented: “She is one of the most dedicated , hard-working people that we know and will always go the extra mile.”

Wendy, who has two daughters and two step-daughters, followed her mother into the caring profession but originally had her own florist’s business.

At one stage she owned two shops but the credit squeeze and the need to provide for her two daughters led her to join the care sector. She returned to the retail business for a while before making the move to work as a carer, a move she doesn’t regret.

“It is so satisfying seeing the difference one can make to people’s lives and to help show that they can have a full quality of life,” she said.

Apart from spending time with her family, including her three grandchildren, Wendy, who comes from an Army background, enjoys travelling, and unfortunately that will mean she is going to miss this year’s awards ceremony, being held at the Holland House Hotel in Cardiff on October 18. The event, sponsored by Ontex Healthcare, will be hosted by BBC presenter Jason Mohammad.

“I attended the ceremony a few years ago with a colleague and know what a great event it is, but I’ve already booked to go to Croatia, so I’ll miss it. I’m gutted but so pleased to have been nominated,” she said.

Mario Kreft MBE, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, said the Wales Care Awards, said: “Our aim is to recognise the unstinting and often remarkable dedication of our unsung heroes and heroines on the front line of social across Wales.

“The care sector is full of wonderful people because it’s not just a job it’s a vocation – these are the people who really do have the X Factor.

“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.

“We need to do all we can to raise the profile of the care sector workforce – they deserve to be lauded and applauded.

“It is a pleasure to honour the contribution of all the finalists. Each and every one of them should be very proud of their achievement.”