Swansea grandfather who turned redundancy into opportunity is toasting national awards glory

Leslie Whelan, 68, from Morriston, was left devastated when he lost his factory job in his early 50s. With a mortgage to pay and two teenage daughters at home, he faced an uncertain future. But what began as a leap of faith into a new career has now seen him crowned with a coveted Gold award at the Wales Care Awards 2025.

“It was an amazing night, one that I will never, ever forget,” said Leslie. “I didn’t even realise I’d won gold, I thought they were going in reverse order, so I thought I’d won the bronze until I got back to my table! I’ve been doing this job for years, never expecting any awards. The rewards are the people you support, that’s the ultimate for me, but I’m over the moon.”

From redundancy to resilience

Leslie had spent most of his adult life working in cosmetics factories before redundancy forced him to rethink his future.

“It was a very daunting experience,” he recalled. “We all went into the warehouse, and that’s when they told us. There was stunned silence all round when we all walked into the locker room to get our things. A lot of people had been there since their early teens. My own daughters were in their teens at the time. I had a mortgage, and everything runs through your mind at about 100 miles per hour, but you get through it. It wasn’t a nice time.”

After taking a year out, Leslie spotted a job advert in the local paper for Swansea‑based M&D Care. He applied, was offered a role, and quickly realised he had found his true calling.

“I was quite nervous about going into care work initially but once I started, I quickly realised the foundations were already there. I’d been doing it my whole life from a very early age. I’m the eldest of seven children and when my parents separated, I was dressing them, giving them breakfast and getting them to school before I even got ready myself. Without realising it, I was already doing care work.”

A new purpose

Now a senior support worker at a Supported Living Service in Crown Street, Morriston, Leslie helps adults with learning disabilities and mental health needs to regain independence and return to community living.

“It’s not a physical job but mentally it can be challenging,” he said. “As long as I still have my own health, I can see myself still doing it. You become part of their family and try to give them the best advice and support as I would my own children. It’s very rewarding, you get to support someone for many years and then see them move on to independent living and that’s the greatest reward you could get.”

His colleagues praise his calmness and resilience in difficult situations, saying he has an ability to de‑escalate challenges and provide comfort.

Recognition for social care

Leslie was nominated for the Care Practitioner in Small Group or Supported Living award, sponsored by Cartref Ni, and received his Gold award at a glittering ceremony at Holland House Hotel in Cardiff.

Sian Henley‑Davies, Marketing Coordinator at M&D Care, said:

“We are incredibly proud that three of our outstanding colleagues – Deborah Deru, Rob Hayward, and Les Whelan – have been named as finalists in this year’s Wales Care Awards. Their passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the people we support make a real difference every single day.”

Mario Kreft MBE, Chair of Care Forum Wales, added:

“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.”

For Leslie, the award is a reminder of how far he has come since that difficult day nearly two decades ago.

“I think the social care sector is very underrated and the people within it don’t get enough credit. It can be just as skilled, demanding and intense as any other profession – if not more – and it’s a real shame the many good people out there are not always recognised. Each and every person in that room – even those who weren’t nominated – we’re all winners.”

#care #carePractitionerInSmallGroupOrSupportedLivingAward #mdCare #morriston #redundancy #socialCare #supportedLiving #swansea #walesCareAwards

Neath care leader’s ‘Sunday dinner’ idea brings families together – and earns him award nomination

For Rob Hayward, food has become much more than a meal – it’s a way of reconnecting people with learning disabilities to their loved ones.

Rob, who works as a peripatetic service manager with M&D Care, came up with the idea of hosting “Family Sunday Dinners” inside the service’s homes. The concept is straightforward: once a month, two families are invited to sit down with their loved ones for a traditional roast, prepared by chefs and served in a homely dining room.

For many of the people supported by M&D Care, this was something they had never experienced before. Complex needs and behaviours that challenge had often made shared mealtimes too difficult in the past.

“One of the mothers told me it was the first time she had ever sat down and had a meal with her child,” Rob said. “That really brought home how important this was. We just wanted to create a safe, welcoming space where families could share those moments together.”

Transforming family life By applying Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) principles, Rob and his colleagues worked to reduce the triggers that had previously made mealtimes stressful. Structured routines, sensory adjustments and tailored support strategies helped people feel comfortable and in control.

The result has been described as “life‑changing.”

Abbi‑Lee Bevan, M&D Care’s business development director, who nominated Rob for the award, said:

“For the first time, families were able to sit down together and enjoy a meal with their loved ones in a homely, welcoming environment. What was once considered ‘too risky’ became a cherished tradition, strengthening family bonds and creating a true sense of belonging.”

A career built on care Rob has worked in social care for 18 years, starting as a PBS practitioner before moving into management. In his current role, he supports specialist homes across Neath, Port Talbot, Swansea, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire.

He admits he was “shocked” to be nominated in the Leading Practice in Learning Disability category at this year’s Wales Care Awards, but says the recognition is a privilege.

“I absolutely love what I do and feel I’ve found a career for life,” he said. “I’m passionate about making a difference, and I’m lucky to work with colleagues who share that same drive.”

Celebrating the sector The Wales Care Awards, organised by Care Forum Wales, will take place at Cardiff’s Holland House Hotel on Friday 17 October.

Mario Kreft MBE, Chair of Care Forum Wales, said the awards were about recognising the dedication of frontline staff:

“Every single one of our finalists is a winner. The event underlines the importance of the social care sector – it is the glue that binds our communities together.”

Rob’s Family Sunday Dinners may have started as a simple idea, but for the families who now gather around the table, it has created memories they thought they might never have.

Rob joins a growing list of inspirational local finalists we’ve featured this year, including a Port Talbot care home worker described as a ‘social care Oscar’ newcomer, a Swansea grandfather who turned redundancy into a new career in care, a Pontardawe cook who brought tears of joy with her catering success, and a Swansea care worker whose creativity has made residents’ dreams come true.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Port Talbot care home worker shortlisted for ‘social care Oscars’
Selomy Dampies recognised for her innovative work at Llys y Seren Care Home.

Swansea grandfather who turned redundancy into opportunity is toasting national awards glory
Leslie Whelan’s inspiring career change earns him a national nomination.

Tears of joy as care home cook June serves up success
June Tong’s passion for food and residents’ happiness wins her recognition.

Award glory beckons for outgoing care worker
Swansea’s Teri Edwards shortlisted for her leadership and creativity in care.

#Care #careAwards #CareForumWales #FamilySundayDinners #LearningDisability #MDCare #Neath #PositiveBehaviourSupport #WalesCareAwards

Swansea grandfather who turned redundancy into opportunity is toasting national awards glory

Leslie Wheelan, 68, from Morriston, had spent most of his adult life working in cosmetics factories before being made redundant in his early 50s. With a mortgage to pay and two teenage daughters at home, he decided to take a leap of faith and applied for a job with Swansea‑based M&D Care.

To his surprise, he discovered his true calling.

Now a senior support worker at a Supported Living Service in Crown Street, Morriston, Leslie helps adults with learning disabilities and mental health needs to fulfil their goals and regain independence. His dedication has seen him shortlisted for the Care Practitioner in Small Group or Supported Living Award, sponsored by Cartref Ni, at this year’s Wales Care Awards.

The awards, organised by Care Forum Wales and sponsored overall by Meddyg Care, celebrate the frontline heroes of social care. All finalists are guaranteed to receive either a gold, silver or bronze award at the ceremony, which takes place at Cardiff’s Holland House Hotel on Friday, October 17.

Leslie, a grandfather of eight, said he was “over the moon” to be nominated.

“I was quite taken aback when I found out – it’s not often you get to be nominated for a national award. My manager put me forward, she pushes us to be the best we can be and is an inspiration. We all work as a team, and it’s a team effort. I’m elated.”

After leaving school in Birchgrove, Leslie worked in factories for decades and had never considered a career in care. But redundancy forced him to rethink.

“It was a very daunting experience. My daughters were in their teens, I had a mortgage, and everything runs through your mind at 100 miles per hour. It wasn’t a nice time.

I took a year out and then spotted a job with M&D Care in the local paper. I was nervous at first, but once I started I realised I’d been doing it my whole life. As the eldest of seven, I was dressing my brothers and sisters, getting them to school before I even got ready myself. Without realising it, I was already doing care work.”

Now semi‑retired and working two days a week, Leslie is praised by colleagues for his calmness and ability to de‑escalate challenging situations.

“It’s very rewarding. You support someone for many years and then see them move on to independent living – that’s the greatest reward you could get. I’ve never won anything in my life, so just to be at the final is a privilege. The social care sector is very underrated and doesn’t get enough credit. It can be just as skilled and demanding as any other profession.”

Sian Henley‑Davies, M&D Care’s Marketing Coordinator, said:

“We are incredibly proud that three of our outstanding colleagues – Deborah Deru, Rob Hayward, and Les Whelan – have been named as finalists in this year’s Wales Care Awards. Their passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the people we support make a real difference every single day.”

Mario Kreft MBE, Chair of Care Forum Wales, added:

“Every single one of our finalists is a winner and will be presented with a gold, silver or bronze award. The Wales Care Awards underline the importance of the social care sector – it is the glue that binds our communities together.”

#Birchgrove #Care #careAwards #CareForumWales #MDCare #Morriston #redundancy #supportedLiving