A quick-thinking care home manager praised for calming a volatile situation with her soft approach and empathy has scooped a top award.

Erika Davison from Ammanford, Camarthenshire was hailed as a “supportive” and “inspirational registered manager” at Pobl Group, Wales’ largest provider of housing, care and support, where she has worked for 18 years.

Erika’s “positive attitude, strong focus and calming approach saw her shortlisted for the 2025 Wales Care Awards, sponsored by Meddyg Care.

She stood out for having “good communication skills,” and being a “supportive manager” who “actively listens” and is willing to offer guidance.

A recent CIW inspection even saw Erika singled out as colleagues spoke highly of the support they had received from her.

It was Erika’s input that led to Pobl achieving an excellent rating from regulators.

Erika, 47, was shortlisted for the Excellence in Mental Health and Wellbeing category, sponsored by Care Home Life and won a silver award in the category.

The glittering presentation was held on Friday, October 17 at the Holland House Hotel in Cardiff.

The awards are 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.

The event will paid tribute to the frontline heroes of social care.

Assistant Director Alison Haberstraw who nominated Erika said: “Erika adapts her communication depending on the situation, this overcomes barriers and can de-escalate a situation quite quickly

“This was witnessed when a senior manager attended the property where an individual was extremely agitated, colleagues weren’t able to deal with this.

“Erika quickly identified this and used distraction, supported the individual to a quiet place and sat on the floor led by the individual, this is where she felt safe.

“Communication was a soft tone and the situation was eased within 10 minutes.

“The individual began talking about what her plans were for the day and what she wanted for lunch, thus avoiding the need for any anxiety medication.” Erika has previously been nominated by her colleagues at a recent internal managers event where she was shortlisted in two categories for her inspirational leadership.

Her team described her as someone who “has genuine empathy,” is very encouraging and an “inspiration” who brings “contagious” positivity and energy.

Staff say she makes them feel “valuable” and “appreciated” and often witness her engaging with individuals with great ease.

Alison added: “Erika is a knowledgeable and experienced manager in supporting individuals who have experienced mental illness.

“As a leader, she has influenced how colleagues communicate and support people to recognise their abilities and to manage their stress and anxieties to live fulfilled lives, independently at home and in the community.

“Through the allocation panels with local authority she shows passion and dedication to ensure the right move-on opportunities are available for individuals and the correct mix of people are selected to live together.

“She has had to lead on some challenging conversations to ensure the right decision has been made for one individual where she recognised a placement wasn’t correct for him and was given the opportunity to transfer to a more suitable calming environment that would be better to suit his needs.”

Alison said the move led to a compliment from the man’s social worker who said he is now flourishing in his new environment.

“It truly is the mark of someone who genuinely cares for those she is responsible for,” she added.

Erika said she was pleased and shocked to have even been shortlisted for the award. “I’d like to think that how I act and behave within my role is just normal practice and nothing out of the ordinary, she said.

“It’s an honour to be recognised for doing my everyday job and for the care and respect I afford to the individuals I support and my colleagues.

Mario Kreft MBE, Chair of the Care Forum Wales, said the Wales Care Awards once again shone a light on the “unsung heroes and heroines” who make a vital difference to the lives of vulnerable people across the nation.

He said: “For more than 30 years, Care Forum Wales has worked tirelessly to champion the social care sector.

“The Wales Care Awards underlines the importance of the sector – it’s the glue that binds our communities together, both socially and economically.

“Our mission has always been to be the voice of social care in Wales to stand up for the workforce and ensure their dedication is properly recognised.”

A special moment in the evening when Mair Elis Thomas, widow of the late Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas, took to the stage to present one of the awards.

According to Mr Kreft it was a touching gesture that reflected Lord Elis Thomas’s long standing support for the Wales Care Award and for social care more broadly.

“Dafydd was a passionate believer in the power of the arts to enrich lives and support wellbeing and mental health,” said Mr Kreft.
“He is greatly missed, but his legacy lives on – not only through his contribution to public life as a Presiding Officer, but also through the positive impact he had on so many communities.”