A healthcare professional has been recognised for her “deep expertise” in supporting people with learning disabilities and mental health conditions.
Gemma Jennings has over 14 years’ experience in the sector and has worked as Director of Operations for MHC UK Ltd in Llandyrnog, Denbighshire since 2021.
The organisation adopts a “research based approach” to deliver calm and safe residential care homes.
Colleagues say Gemma’s career has been defined by a “strong commitment to person-centred care, ensuring that individuals receive the tailored support they deserve.”
It is Gemma’s “unwavering dedication” that has seen her shortlisted for the 2025 Wales Care Awards, sponsored by Meddyg Care.
Staff say she stands out for “championing a culture of openness and collaboration.” She also makes sure residents, staff and families feel heard and valued.
Gemma is shortlisted for the Excellence in Mental Health and Wellbeing category, sponsored by Care Home Life.
The glittering presentation ceremony will be 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 pay tribute to the frontline heroes of social care.
Gemma’s individual practice and transformational leadership has significantly enhanced the quality of service delivery, both within MHC and across the wider health and social care sector.
With her hands-on approach, she has led quality improvements across the eight services she oversees. Over the past year, five of them have achieved ‘excellent’ ratings from regulators.
Gemma is also deeply committed to person centred care and individualised support and has built strong relationships with each of the 63 residents under her services.
A highlight over the last year was that Gemma organised a fully accessible awards ceremony and gala event for residents to attend, which celebrated and recognised their achievements, from Volunteering to Cooking, a whole array of awards were given on the night. With her tireless efforts, colleagues stated that Gemma is an “indispensable part of MHC and the care sector.”
Staff say her contributions are not just about compliance and regulation, they also include creating meaningful and lasting change.
Registered Managers, Billy Holmes and Crystal Pritchard, who nominated Gemma, said: “Gemma’s leadership fosters a strong sense of community, where care, support and protection remain at the heart of every decision.”
They said Gemma has been “instrumental in supporting them to manage their services Holland House and Villas, the satellite homes Garth and Glasfryn as well as the other five services within the Residential Group.”
“It is an honour to nominate her for this award recognising her unwavering dedication to improving the lives of those she serves,” they said.
“Gemma’s impact extends far beyond her role, she has not only guided and supported us in our professional growth but has also inspired us on a personal level and becomes a respected role model for us all to look up to.”
They added: “Gemma possesses the remarkable ability to see beyond the condition, recognising each person as an individual. She consistently champions people, not just residents.”
Reacting to the news of being an award finalist, Gemma said: “I am both humbled and delighted to have been nominated. The work we do makes a great impact to those in our care, and it is a privilege to be a part of this.
I am attending the ceremony in October, alongside some other MHC shortlisted colleagues. I’m looking forward to seeing Social Care professionals across Wales be recognised for their care and dedication.”
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.”
