A mental health nurse who moved more than 120 miles to start a new life in north Wales and took on a role in a Welsh-speaking nursing home despite not knowing the language, has won two prestigious awards.

Alison Jones (right), who made the long journey from Worcester where she’d lived for eight years to set up home in Criccieth in 2015 after her husband landed a new job, was a double gold award winner at the Wales Care Awards, known as the social care Oscars.

Six months after moving, a friend recommended that she join her in working at Plasgwyn Nursing Home, based in Criccieth and part of Cariad Care Homes.

Despite her reservations about not being able to speak Welsh, the 46-year-old was successful with her application and has been a hugely valued and important member of the team ever since - and is also well on her way to being a fluent Welsh speaker.

It’s Alison’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of the residents at the home that led to her being named as a shortlisted finalist at the prestigious awards, which are organised by Care Forum Wales.

This year’s ceremony took place at City Hall in Cardiff and Alison, originally from Hereford, won gold in the Independent Sector Nurse of the Year Award, and also scooped the top prize in the Dignity In Care Award category whose finalists were only revealed on the night.

She said: “It was such a lovely night. I was absolutely flabbergasted to win two awards. It was overwhelming.

“I feel really happy to have won them. My passion has always been caring for people - I’m a nurse and always will be.

“I feel very strongly that the whole team should be mentioned as I couldn’t have achieved any of this without their help.

“I would like to thank each and everyone one of them. We’re a small team, but we’re very close and that’s what it’s all about.

“I had a table at the awards and some of my colleagues were there with me to celebrate and make a weekend of it. It was lovely.

“I couldn’t speak any Welsh when I first started - I knew absolutely nothing. That’s my next challenge now, to work harder on the language to enhance me further working in this part of the world.”

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