A care home manager in Denbighshire has been honoured with a prestigious national award for her excellent work in mental health care.

Michaela Vallance was moved to tears when she first discovered her colleagues had recommended her for recognition at the Wales Care Awards 2024.

Those emotions have now been further heightened after she secured a prestigious Bronze accolade at the glittering awards presentation evening held at Holland House Hotel, Cardiff.

Michaela Vallance has worked within the health and care sector for 15 years as a support worker, team leader, deputy manager and now as a registered manager at a home for people living with autism and complex needs.

Her commitment, drive and leadership skills so impressed her colleagues that they did not hesitate to put her name forward for a social care ‘Oscar’.

Michaela, 36, was rewarded with one of the top three places in the Excellence in Learning Disability Services and Mental Health category sponsored by My Choice Health Care.

The result was announced on the night by Bethan Evans, chief executive of My Choice Health Care. To tumultuous applause, Michaela was presented with her honour by Dean Morgan, area manager of the Grey Matters Consultancy.

The event was organised by Care Forum Wales and attended by social care professionals from all around Wales.

Ontex Healthcare was the overall sponsor for the evening which was compered by radio and TV presenter Jason Mohammad.

A delighted Michaela was championed by her employers and colleagues at MHC UK which is one of the UK’s 50 top providers of support for individuals with learning disabilities, mental health issues, behaviours that challenge, and autism. It has locations in north Wales and the north west of England.

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 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.”

Michaela only heard she had been shortlisted as a finalist a few weeks before the awards night. She was on holiday at the time when she received a phone call from a colleague with the news which brought a tear to her eye.

Michaela said: “We were in Tenerife. I couldn’t believe I’d been nominated, it was such a surprise, and so overwhelming. I’m so grateful to have had my name put forward, never mind winning Bronze.”

Her chef husband, Daniel, and two daughters Emi and Harriett, aged 12 and three, are hugely proud of their mum.

Michaela joined MHC UK in 2013 and is the group’s Registered Manager for Beech, in Llangwyfan, a two bedded registered home for people living with complex needs.

She also manages Cedar, the MHC activities department which offers therapeutic activities to enable residents to develop education and life skills to smooth their integration with local communities.

MHC Managing Director Seona Weir praised Michaela’s person-centred approach to all she does, as well as her leadership and positive behavioural support.

She said: “This has resulted in a significant improvement beyond all expectations in the quality of life of the individuals within Beech.”

“It is clear that Michaela does not see the person for their disability and how they should be supported, but as a person who wants a fulfilled and happy life. Michaela’s aims and objectives for everyone she works with are to give them opportunities to be the best version of themselves.”

Michaela said she greatly enjoys her job and the chance it gives her to help the more vulnerable members of society make the most of their lives.

She said: “I am a great believer in positive risk-taking and enabling people to achieve their dreams and ambitions no matter how great the obstacles they need to overcome to do that.”

The shortlist of finalists in each category of award was whittled down from hundreds of nominees in the social care sector across Wales.