EditorSwansea 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.”
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Saba Salman
Lichfield Live
George Julian