A WOMAN from Rhyl who was nominated for a prestigious care award has received a certificate after coming close to winning the award.

Sian Jones, who was recently promoted to the role of commercial director at St Davids Residential Home in Rhyl, was nominated for the Caring in Welsh Award by the home’s proprietors Ruth and David.

The awards are held annually by Social Care Wales.

Ms Jones received a certificate as a ‘Highly Commended Finalist’, after falling narrowly short of taking home the award.

She was presented with her award by Sandie Grieve, sector engagement and development lead officer at Social Care Wales and Chair of the Caring in Welsh Award judging panel.

Ms Grieve said: “Sian was chosen as a highly-commended finalist for the 2024 Caring in Welsh award because of her work in creating a culture that makes sure Welsh is used as much as possible throughout the care home.

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“Being able to receive care and support in the language of your choice is an important part of receiving high quality care.

“To support this, we've developed lots of resources for social care workers, including bespoke Welsh language courses, to help them learn and improve their Welsh, so they can use the language with the people they support.”

Ms Jones said: “I am delighted and very proud to have received this award.

“I am currently learning Welsh and am passionate about raising the profile of speaking Welsh, especially for a town like Rhyl, which is not always seen as a Welsh speaking community and I would like to charge that perception.

“We have many Welsh speakers in the town and I hope that my success will go some way into encouraging others to take up the Welsh Language and use it in their work.”