A SERVICE manager at Denbighshire County Council is among the winners of this year’s prestigious Accolades awards.
The Accolades, which are run by Social Care Wales, are awards that recognise, celebrate and share excellent social care, early years and childcare work in Wales.
Alaw Pierce won the ‘Caring in Welsh’ award, for her work in promoting the Welsh language within Denbighshire County Council’s social services department.
Alaw was nominated for the award for her work championing people’s rights to use Welsh and has been described as a “role model” for staff.
Throughout her career, Alaw has supported the use of Welsh in the workplace and has encouraged a culture where staff can comfortably use Welsh at work.
Denbighshire County Council’s disability champion Cllr Arwel Roberts, describes Alaw as having “worked tirelessly for the Welsh language within the social services department”.
Seven winners were presented with their awards at this year’s Accolades ceremony held in Cardiff last Thursday, April 21.
The awards were hosted by well-known broadcaster Garry Owen and Social Care Wales’ chief executive Sue Evans.
More than 70 entries and nominations from across Wales were received for the 2022 awards.
A panel of expert judges whittled them down to a final shortlist of 14 projects and 10 care workers.
The judges included members of Social Care Wales’ board, representatives from organisations across social care, early years and childcare, and people with experience of using care and support.
Mick Giannasi, chair of Social Care Wales, said: “The Accolades are our way of saying thank you to everyone working in social care and early years and childcare who has delivered great care to make things better for the people they support.
“The past two years have been incredibly difficult, but we should be proud of all our social care and early years and childcare workers who have offered their support, kept people safe and helped those they care for to live the lives that matter to them.
READ: Caring Denbighshire people nominated for national awards
“Congratulations to all the winners and finalists, you should be very proud of your achievements. Thank you all for everything you do.”
Sue Evans, Social Care Wales’ chief executive, added: “Once again this year the standard of entries we received has been incredibly high.
"The judges had a difficult task in deciding the winners as there was very little to separate some of the finalists.
“It was a privilege to host the Accolades awards ceremony and to be among so many who truly make a difference to the lives of the people of Wales.
"The experience has shown just how many great examples of excellent care and support we have, and the valuable and positive difference social care and early years and childcare workers are making to so many people’s lives.
“Congratulations to all our deserving winners. We’re very fortunate to have so many committed and hard-working people supporting our communities.”
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