A Port Talbot woman who is flying high in her career has been shortlisted for a top award.
Selomy Dampies, the Engagement and Enablement Coordinator at Llys y Seren Care Home in Port Talbot, has made a huge difference to the lives of those in her care just a few months into her role.
The former teaching assistant relocated to Wales from Reading in 2024 when her husband got a new job.
Initially working as a care worker at Llys y Seren, which is part of Pobl Group, Wales’ largest provider of housing, care and support, Selomy impressed her bosses so much with her passion for empowering people that she was successful in her application for the role of Engagement and Enablement Coordinator.
And now Selomy has been shortlisted for one of this year’s Wales Care Awards, 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.
Selomy is a finalist in the Exceptional Newcomer category, which is sponsored by the Educ8 Group.
Mother to three boys aged 18, 16 and eight, Selomy has thrived in her new career, with one of her bosses saying she has an “instinctive grasp on the ideals of person-centred support and care”.
In just a few months she has introduced a number of activities and initiatives at the home – including the set up of a ‘buddy scheme’ to link residents who don’t have much contact from family, a new sewing room and exercise routines. She has also helped to raise £4,000 of funding to create a sensory room for residents and their families to use.
Selomy says her work doesn’t feel like a job. She has taken the time to fully get to know the 60 residents at Llys y Seren, making sure they have access to their favourites activities and passions including sewing, gardening and baking.
She said: “I totally love my job; caring for others comes naturally to me. It doesn’t feel like a job because I enjoy it so much and it is so rewarding.
“I love putting a smile someone’s face and helping people to enjoy their passions and getting out and about in the garden or taking them to the nearby beach.
“I enjoy learning about each person’s history, their family and their hobbies and interests and I listen to their needs. It is important to bring interests that they loved back into their lives – whether it’s gardening, sewing or baking. I am making sure we take more outdoor trips to the beach and walks to make sure that they keep moving.
“Making people feel like they are at home and around friends is so important. I want to bring joy and love to people’s lives, help them to feel at home and feel good about themselves. That level of care can make sure a difference to someone’s life.
“Being nominated for an award has made me very proud.”
Tony Hart, Assistant Director of Pobl Care and Support, who nominated Selomy for the award, said: “Selomy has been outstanding in what she has achieved in such a short space of time, and all of the residents of the care home absolutely love the activities and opportunities she has brought to the home as well as her infectious energy and positivity, resulting in high numbers of compliments received from residents and families regarding her work.
“Although still new to care having only worked in the sector for a few months Selomy seems to have an instinctive grasp on the ideals of person centred support and care.
“Selomy goes above and beyond in order to do something different for residents to improve their quality of life and enable individual involvement on a daily basis with seemingly tireless energy and drive.”
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.”
