A North Wales harpist who has spent more than two decades bringing the gift of music to the heart of the community is in the running for a top award.

Meinir Llwyd Roberts, director of the Caernarfon-based Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias (CGWM) music charity, has been shortlisted for a Wales Care Award – and it’s not the first time the organisation’s impact has caught the judges’ attention.

The mum-of-two, who lives near St Asaph, is in the running for the Sir Bryn Terfel Foundation Award for Promoting the Arts in Social Care, which celebrates the transformative power of creativity in care settings across Wales.

The annual awards are, organised by Care Forum Wales to recognise front line social care heroes.

The glittering ceremony, sponsored by Meddyg Care will be  held in October at Cardiff’s Holland House Hotel on Friday,  October 17.

Meinir, who first joined Caernarfon-based CGWM as an administrator in 2001 before becoming director in 2011, said she was “humbled” by the nomination – and credited the entire CGWM team for their passion and dedication.

“This nomination isn’t just for me – it’s for all of us. Everyone involved in CGWM is passionate about the power of music to change lives,” she said.

Through her leadership, CGWM has become a driving force in making music education and performance accessible to everyone – especially people with additional needs, dementia, or those living in isolated communities.

One of her proudest achievements is the charity’s flagship initiative, Doniau Cudd / Hidden Talents, launched in 2003 by CGWM and music tutor Arfon Wyn to support adults who have learning disabilities. The project was so impactful it won the very same award in 2013 – and this year’s nomination could mark a historic double win for the charity.

“Music is incredibly therapeutic. It reaches people in a way that words often can’t – we’ve seen it lift moods, unlock memories, and build bridges where none seemed possible,” Meinir explained.

Meinir, who lives on a farm with husband Arwyn and their sons Gronw, 11, and Cradog, eight, says she always dreamed of combining her passion for music with work that improves wellbeing.

“I remember doing a music in the community module as a student at Bangor University and I thought – this is what I want to do with my life. I feel very lucky that I’ve been able to follow that path,” she said.

From humble beginnings, CGWM has grown to include a team of  more than 45 freelance tutors, offering lessons and workshops to hundreds of learners from its base at Galeri, Caernarfon, and satellite sites in Denbighshire.

The charity also organises major music events including an international harp and piano festival – with this year’s piano event set to take place in Caernarfon from October 16 to 20.

CGWM’s outreach includes working with social service teams,, community centres, health services and care homes, with trained musicians and therapists delivering tailored music sessions across North Wales

Meinir said much of the charity’s growth would not have been possible without support from long-term funders and partners such as the Arts Council of Wales, Gwynedd Council and Denbighshire Leisure’s Arts team

“Thanks to the backing of our funders and partners we’ve been able to expand what we offer and reach more people than ever before,” she said.

Mario Kreft MBE, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, said: “Care Forum Wales has been working tirelessly for more than 30 years to promote the social care sector.

“We established the Wales Care Awards to show our appreciation to the workforce and the wider sector for the remarkable and vitally important contribution everybody makes, day in day out.

“The event  underlines the importance of the social care sector. It is the glue that binds our communities together, both socially and economically.

“Our mission is to be the voice of social care in Wales to advocate on the sector’s behalf, holding truth to power in order to secure a fair deal to recognise the dedication of our front line heroes and heroines across our nation.

“If you don’t value 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.

“Every single one of our finalists is a winner and will be presented with a gold, silver or bronze award.”

For Meinir there have been so many special moments.

“Whether it’s a child discovering their voice or an older person reconnecting with a long-lost memory through music – those are the moments which highlight the power and importance of music in health and wellbeing,” she said.