A former RAF civilian worker who swapped military life for the care sector is being hailed as one of Wales’s most inspiring social care professionals.

Louise Paxford, Assistant Manager and Training Lead at Ysguborwen Care Home in Llwydcoed, near Aberdare, is a finalist at this year’s prestigious Wales Care Awards.

She’s been shortlisted in the Commitment to Training and Workforce Development category at this year’s prestigious Wales Care Awards sponsored by City & Guilds.

The event is being organised by Care Forum Wales to recognise exceptional work in the care sector.

The presentation ceremony, sponsored by Meddyg Care, is being held at Cardiff’s Holland House Hotel on Friday, October 17.

The recognition for Louise comes after her tireless efforts to mentor colleagues, improve dementia and end-of-life care, and overhaul staff induction at the home – all while juggling family life, studies and her passion for helping others.

“I don’t do this job for awards – I do it because I care deeply about the residents and want every member of staff to feel confident, supported, and proud,” said Louise.,.

“But it’s lovely when someone notices the effort you put in. This nomination is for the whole team.”

Louise spent three years in the Royal Air Force’s general department as a civilian worker, stationed alongside her husband, Ryan, a serving RAF member.

The experience, she says, shaped her commitment to structure, clear communication, and teamwork.

While based in Cyprus, she also volunteered with a local dog rescue charity – bringing home four rescue dogs, and still advocates for the charity’s work today.

Returning to Wales, Louise started in domiciliary care, quickly rising to team leader before joining Ysguborwen in 2021. Starting as a care assistant, she rapidly progressed to senior roles thanks to her leadership skills and passion for staff development.

She has since achieved Level 3 and 4 qualifications in Health and Social Care and Dementia, is completing a Level 5 Professional Practice award, and recently began a four-year part-time nursing degree – all while raising two sons, Kristian, 15, and Dylan, 12.

“They’re really proud,” Louise said. “We always make time for fun too – they love theme parks!”

Colleagues say Louise has “transformed” Ysguborwen’s culture – particularly in how new staff are trained and supported.

Her manager, Debbie Strong, said: “Louise has transformed the way we induct and train staff, supported countless team members with their qualifications, and helped many through their registration with Social Care Wales. Her confidence, warmth, and dedication are infectious.

“She ensures every new recruit receives tailored training, embedding the home’s ethos of respect, dignity, and person-centred care from day one.

“Louise has also strengthened dementia care skills and is developing refresher training for all staff to reinforce empathy and understanding.

“Her work in improving end-of-life care has been equally significant. In the past, residents’ wishes could be missed due to delays in arranging mental capacity assessments with GPs.

“This became painfully clear when one resident, who wished to remain at the home, was admitted to hospital because the assessment could not be completed in time.

“Louise found a solution – securing specialist training so selected nurses and managers could carry out capacity assessments themselves. This change ensures residents’ wishes are respected without unnecessary delays.

“Louise took a distressing experience and turned it into a catalyst for positive change,” Debbie said.

“Her leadership has made a real difference to the dignity of our residents and given families peace of mind during difficult times.”

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.”