CRAFTY Karen Jeffreys has been handed a top honour for the creativity she brings to her care home role.

Her imaginative approach to caring at the Maesteilo Care Home in Llandeilo has proved so successful that employers put her forward for an accolade in the annual Wales Care Awards, run by Care Forum Wales.

The awards were handed out at a glittering prize giving ceremony in Cardiff’s City Hall and Karen was there to collect a silver award in the Exceptional Newcomer category, sponsored by Coleg Cambria.

The event, sponsored by Barclays Bank, was hosted by popular TV newsreader Lucy Owen.

Karen said: “I am really shocked and I’m quite overwhelmed. My job is so amazing in itself that it’s just a bonus that people appreciate what I do.”

The 48-year-old, who lives in Blaenau, took on the role of Day Service Co-ordinator 18 months ago and runs four interactive sessions a day catering for 64 adults with learning difficulties from six different homes, culminating in an event at the end of each eight-week theme.

But despite having no previous experience, Karen has taken the challenge in her stride and her enthusiasm has shown through in everything she has done, prompting Regional Director Jacqui Orrells to put her forward for the honour.

She said: “Karen impressed us in her interview as she had genuine warmth and compassion. She hadn’t worked in the care sector before and had no experience of working with adults with learning disabilities but she had lots of creative skills like art, craft and pottery.”

Since starting at Maesteilo, Karen has put on shows, held parties and run sports events – all with a different theme, and all proving hugely popular with service users.

Jacqui said: “The creativity Karen has shown with these themes is exceptional. Everyone loves attending the sessions and producing a picture or craft which they can take home with them. They are all encouraged to be involved and I have been overwhelmed by the effort put in by Karen.”

Karen organises the home’s arts and crafts sessions and also the computers, language and numeracy projects, as well as numerous indoor and outdoor events.

She said: “We have a theme for each programme of events – the next one is New York and will end with a fancy dress party that co-incides with Children in Need.

“I love seeing how the residents come on during the project and respond to the sessions. Seeing what they get out of it, and seeing the smiles on their faces is so worthwhile.

“Everyone who comes is different so we have so many different sessions running and make sure to spend some time with each individual.

“When I see how much they enjoy it, it means everything to me.