A SUPPORT worker found her work so rewarding that her daughter and husband were convinced to follow in her footsteps.

Now Alison Amos’s enthusiasm and passion for helping others has put her in line for a major award.

The 49-year-old from Connah’s Quay has been shortlisted for one of this year’s Wales Care Awards, organised each year by Care Forum Wales to recognise exceptional work in the care sector.

The awards ceremony takes place at City Hall, Cardiff, on October 18, and the MC for the evening will be tenor and radio presenter Wynne Evans, better known as Gio Compario from the Go Compare TV advert.

Alison works for the St Asaph-based charity Cartref Ni, and her nomination was supported by the charity’s service manager Gwyn Jones and shortlisted in the category for supported living care practitioners.

She joined Cartref Ni in 2013 and supports four young people – two men and two women who live in their own home and helps to enable them to live as independently as possible.

The four, all known to each other, moved into their new home in 2016, and leaving their family home was a massive step, but Alison was determined to make the change as smooth and enjoyable as possible whilst maintaining their family links.

“She has enabled the four people to both acquire new skills in their home where they have eminently increased their domestic skills, in conjunction with progressively encouraging their community involvement,” said Gwyn.

She not only supports their personal development but also their mental health and physical wellbeing, college work and other opportunities.

“Alison enthusiastically embraces and shares her passion for social care both within the charity and externally having been complimented by members of the public who have witnessed her consummate, engaging and fun inter-action with the people she supports,” said Gwyn.

Through her efforts they have had work placements, overseas holidays together and taken part in various sports activities.

“This is the kind of work I wanted to do when I left school and it’s an honour to be in this position. I am really passionate about it,” she said. “Being nominated for this award is like a dream come true.”

Daughter Danielle was the first to follow her example and also now works for Cartref Ni in Flint, supporting two individuals.

Alison’s sense of fulfilment and job satisfaction so impressed husband Andy that he, too, is also a support worker.

“And he absolutely loves it,” said Alison.

Mario Kreft MBE, the chair of Care Forum Wales, said: “The aim is to recognise the unstinting and often remarkable dedication of our unsung heroes and heroines across Wales.

“The care sector is full of wonderful people because it’s not just a job it’s a vocation – these are the people who really do have the X Factor.

“If you don’t recognise the people who do the caring you will never provide the standards that people need and never recognise the value of the people who need the care in society.

“We need to do all we can to raise the profile of the care sector workforce - they deserve to be lauded and applauded.

“It is a pleasure to honour the contribution of all the finalists. Each and every one of them should be very proud of their achievement.”