A married couple who have cared for twin brothers with significant additional needs for nearly 30 years took home two prestigious awards at the Oscars of social care.

Gary and Michelle Jones, who have been described as “going over and above the role of a carer”, were shortlisted in the Outstanding Service category, in this year’s Wales Care Awards.

The couple, who live at Bedlinog near Merthyr Tydfil, provide 24-hour care for the twins who are unable to live independent lives. Gary, now 62, has even donated a kidney to one of the twins after his own organs deteriorated.

They were presented with the gold award in this category at a glittering ceremony at Cardiff’s Holland House Hotel and were later presented with the Spirit of Care award, sponsored by Dormy Care Communities, which the judges awarded after considering all the other nominees.

“I didn’t expect the second award at all,” said Michelle, “but it was very nice to be recognised. There are many people, not just Gary and me, who care for others in their own homes and it was humbling to receive not one but two awards.”

The awards – dubbed the Oscars of social care – are organised by Care Forum Wales and sponsored by Caron group, a specialist provider of residential, nursing and dementia care in Mid and South Wales, to recognise outstanding work in the care sector.

Michelle, 56, and Gary, 62, are approved Shared Lives Carers with the South East Wales Shared Lives Scheme and care for Michael and Peter who have lived with them since they were three months old.

Both Peter and Michael have special needs and were unable to attend the ceremony but they were able to watch as the whole event was streamed live online.

“They watched with my three grown-up children and our grandchildren. Peter, who uses Makaton sign language, said Gary looked more like James Bond in his tuxedo and there were lots of messages during the evening,” said Michelle.

Also watching online were Gary’s elderly parents who live on the Wirral.

“Both were very proud of what we had achieved and as soon as the ceremony was over Gary’s mum was on the phone to all her friends,” added Michelle.

Peter and Michael spent two weekends with Gary and Michelle when they were just a few weeks old.

“After the third weekend they never went back. We’d grown so attached to them!” said Michelle.

She said Peter has extremely complex medical needs being epileptic, profoundly deaf and has ADHD.

The couple provide 24-hour care for the twins. Michelle said Peter rarely sleeps more than a couple of hours each night without waking and is disorientated when he does wake up.

“Gary and I take turns to sit up with him,” said Michelle.

Whilst a teenager, Peter’s kidney function deteriorated and a kidney transplant was suggested but he’s a rare blood group. After tests Gary and our three children were found to be the same blood type and Gary was found to be a match and six years ago Peter received one of Gary’s kidney’s.

“If a donor kidney had not been so easy to find, it could have resulted in Peter waiting for years for a suitable match and needing on-going dialysis during this time.

“Whilst the transplant was successful Peter’s health fluctuates and has had several hospitalisations since for serious infections,” she said.

Michelle liaises with medics and adapts to the advice they give and  Peter’s food is closely monitored with certain foods avoided or restricted.

Stringent precautions were undertaken by the whole family to protect Peter’s health during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Michelle said: “We never ventured out, everything was delivered to us at home and we were all fully vaccinated and avoided Covid but as soon as restrictions were lifted we all caught the illness. The twins sailed through but Gary and I were really ill,” she said.

Both Peter and Michael are supported to socialise away from the home.

Michael, said Michelle, has a different set of needs.

“He has learning difficulties but can read and write but can’t look after himself. He has short term memory loss and can’t live independently. If he cooks he sets fire to the kitchen.

“But he enjoys attending a local Men’s Group which was recognised by the late Queen for their work. We were due to visit Buckingham Palace to collect the award but this had to be postponed and we hope to attend a garden party next year,” she said.

In addition to looking after the twins Gary also provides support for three other men in the community.

He said on Mondays he’ll take one of the men for an outing somewhere and two days later he’ll repeat the exercise with the other men.

“I’ve been doing this work for the past 12 years or so,” he said.

Chris Singer, Peter’s former Care Manager, commented that Michelle and Gary go “over and above the role of a Shared Lives Carer”.

“Peter and Michael call Michelle and Gary ‘mum’ and ‘dad’, and Michelle and Gary’s children are called ‘brothers’ and ‘sister’,” he added.

And Sharon Savory, South East Wales Shared Lives Scheme Coordinator, said: “What more can you say about the commitment and dedication Michelle and Gary have for Michael and Peter. They do not just support vulnerable adults with complex care and support needs to the highest standard, they exceed this, and it is a pleasure working with them.”

Mario Kreft MBE, the Chair 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.”