A Cardiff woman’s family experience of palliative care has stood her in good stead as it has helped put her in line for a prestigious award.

By using her personal experience Rachel Follard  has ensured that numerous people in the Cardiff area have had the end-of-life care they and their families wish, which usually means being at home.

She has now been shortlisted for one of this year’s Wales Care Awards, organised each year by Care Forum Wales to recognise exceptional work in the care sector.

The awards ceremony, sponsored by Ontex Healthcare, is being held on October 18 at Cardiff’s Holland House Hotel and will be hosted by radio and TV presenter Jason Mohammad.

Rachel, 44, from St Mellons, is a locality manager for Dimensions Cymru, which supports people with learning difficulties and her work covers much of Cardiff East.

After working in her mother’s cafe she was persuaded by a friend to work at a local care home providing end-of-life palliative care, and despite some reservations took to the role immediately.

In 2016 her sister persuaded her to join Dimensions as a support worker and  according to Michelle Debbabi, Dimensions’ Operations Manager,  who nominated her for the award: “Rachel took so much from the experience, and her commitment to those she supported, and their families, was evident.

“It’s a role which she was made for and she is very skilled and passionate about all that she does.”

Rachel has been shortlisted in the category for Leadership and Management  in Supported Living, which is sponsored by Cartref Ni and Hoop Recruitment.

As an example of Rachel’s care and diligence Michelle cited the case of a woman with Down’s Syndrome who lived in a single room but who, thanks to Rachel’s leadership, was enabled to enjoy life.

When it became necessary for the woman to enter alternative accommodation the transition went smoothly and Dimensions continued to support her.

After being admitted to hospital she contracted Covid-19 and wasn’t expected to pull through. However, she defied the odds and Rachel won the battle for her to return home instead of going into a care home.

Her final days were filled with positivity and well-being, with pamper sessions, aromatherapy and sensory sessions which helped her relax. She died at home with Rachel and members of her team by her side.

Rachel derives great satisfaction from providing the best possible care for people at the end of their lives.

“I really wasn’t too sure about it  to start,” she said. “ I had cared for members of my family but wasn’t sure if I could do the same for strangers,” she said. “It’s all about making sure that they have the best possible, dignified passing.”

Rachel’s caring, compassionate side is to the fore in other aspects of her life. She and her husband have their own children and have opened their home to help support other vulnerable young  adults.

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