An “inspirational” team leader with a vast career in social care has seen her hard work pay off with a gong as she heads into retirement.

Jayne Owen was hailed as “the role model we all aspire to be” by her former colleagues.

Her passion and commitment saw her bloom from a cook in a residential home to a manager, delivering training to others within her 39 years at Wrexham County Borough Council.

Now the 65-year-old from Brymbo, who worked for the authority’s Workforce Development Team, has started the next phase of her life on a high after scooping a silver award at the 2024 Wales Care Awards, sponsored by Ontex Healthcare.

The grandmother-of-two was shortlisted for the Commitment to Training and Workforce Development Award, sponsored by City & Guilds & WJEC Consortium.

The glittering presentation ceremony was held on October 18 at the Holland House Hotel in Cardiff and was hosted by radio and TV presenter Jason
Mohammad.

It was held in association with Care Forum Wales, a not-for-profit organisation set up in 1993 to give independent care providers a single professional voice with

which to speak on one of the most important issues of our time – how to provide better quality care for those who need it most.

Jayne’s former colleagues said she deserved to be recognised for the way she treated people with a “kind and caring heart” and “mounds of patience.”

In 2007, she was appointed team leader of the qualification centre where she nurtured and mentored staff, imparting her vast knowledge and skills to others to
benefit the social care sector.

Jayne’s dedication saw her offer her unrelenting support to others to help them confidently and competently carry out their roles.

Jayne was also instrumental in the team having gained excellent external quality assurance reports. She was even praised for supporting care homes in dealing with patients with dementia offering empathy and understanding due to her own mothers’ diagnosis.

Assessor, Tracey Evans who nominated her, said: “Jayne is often referred to as the role model we all aspire to be.

“She is a compassionate and empathetic leader who really understands the importance and benefits that can be gained from respecting others’ views and
opinions and the positive contribution that others bring to a team.

“She treats everyone with the utmost respect and dignity and has the skills to instill confidence and empower her team to utilise their skills and also to embrace opportunities to help them to develop and grow.”

She added: “We as a team, passionately regard ourselves as extremely lucky to have had such an inspiring, committed and knowledgeable leader and manager in Jayne and passionately believe that her longevity, commitment and unwavering passion is recognised and she receives the recognition she deserves.”

Ahead of the awards ceremony, Jayne said: “It was a lovely surprise to hear I’d been nominated, it came as a complete shock but it’s so nice to be recognised. It’s the icing on the cake after 39 years.”

Mario Kreft MBE, 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.”