A former railway worker who switched careers to care for people with dementia is ‘on track’ to scoop a national industry award.

David Rees, from Pant, Merthyr Tydfil, near Cardiff, worked as a maintenance technician for two years across the UK’s rail network including on the London Underground.

But almost 13 years ago, he began volunteering at Hallmark Greenhill Manor Luxury Care Home in Pentrebach, Merthyr Tydfill, part of Hallmark Luxury Care Homes, following his mother’s footsteps into social care and within six weeks was offered a full-time job as a care assistant.

The 31-year-old hasn’t looked back since and is now in the running for a coveted national award.

David, now a nurse assistant who recently embarked on full nurse training, has been nominated for the Residential Care Practitioner Award, at the Wales Care Awards 2024.

Supported by lead sponsor Ontex Healthcare, and organised by care industry champions Care Forum Wales, the awards recognise the outstanding work of those in the care sector.

The winners will be announced at a glittering ceremony at Holland House Hotel in Cardiff on Friday, October 18, hosted by radio and TV presenter Jason Mohammad.

David said: “It was a total surprise. I’ve never received any kind of award before but I’m proud, whatever it turns out to be.

“I used to work on the railways doing general maintenance jobs like changing sleepers and ballasts. It was never my intention to go into social care, but my mum has always worked in the sector and kept saying ‘Dave, you’re a lovely, caring person, just try it, you’ll love it’. I started volunteering initially but I loved it from my very first shift.

“Walking through the door opened my eyes. I was 19 at the time and had never heard the word dementia before but I took to it like a duck to water. Now, I could never see myself doing anything else.

“It’s about going in with a good attitude and making a positive impact on people’s lives and giving them the best quality of care they deserve. These people have worked hard all their lives, and this is their time to relax.”

The dad-of-two left Pen-Y-Dre High School, Merthyr Tydfil, at 16 and embarked on a plumbing apprenticeship at Merthyr Tydfill College but struggled to find an employer to continue his learning as a Level 3 apprentice.

After reassessing his options and an initial stint on the railways, David is now continuing his education through nursing, undertaking a 15-hours-per-week nursing placement at Hallmark’s Tŷ-Enfys Luxury Care Home in Cardiff – in addition to his full-time role at Greenhill Manor.

David, who lives with his partner Tiffany and has a daughter and son aged nine and six, currently works with the home’s dementia community where his positive attitude and boundless enthusiasm has been put to good use.

David fondly recalls supporting an elderly lady who arrived at the home bedbound but over time was able to be rehabilitated, progressing from a wheelchair to a walking frame and eventually walking unaided.

David was nominated by a member of the Greenhill Manor team for his commitment to delivering outstanding care to all the people living on the community and for going  above and beyond on a daily basis’.

Mario Kreft MBE, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, 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.”