A mother-of-three from Pembroke Dock who defied the odds to qualify as a nurse has won a prestigious award.

Forty-seven-year-old Sarah Lees, has been recognised in this year’s Wales Care Awards, which are held every year to pay tribute to the frontline heroes of social care.

Sarah, who is described by colleagues as “a champion in social care who transforms the lives of those around her” was handed a silver award in the Independent Sector Nurse of the Year category at a glittering ceremony held at Cardiff’s Holland House Hotel.

And she has also been successful in becoming a Queen’s Nurse and will be accepting her badge and certificate at a ceremony in London in November.

Sarah completed her nursing qualification at Oxford Brookes University as a mature student while going through a divorce and looking after her three children, one of whom has leaning difficulties and her youngest has been diagnosed with ADHD.

Sarah got through her studies thanks to the help of those around her, and her career has since gone from strength-to-strength.

According to Sarah, the proudest moment of her career to date was successfully turning around the fortunes of Shaw Healthcare’s Cartref Cleddau, formerly Pembroke Dock care home, a 24-bed mental health nursing home where she works as the Service Manager.

Sarah started her nursing training after working as a carer for a number of years.

She said: “I was working as a healthcare support worker on nights and felt like I wanted to enhance my knowledge and experience and influence the direction of care offered.

“Looking back now I don’t know how I got through my course, but I am glad I finished. It required a lot of juggling but I had lots of help around me which I am so grateful for.”

After completing her training, Sarah took a role as a district nurse with the aim of pursuing a career in a nursing home.

Sarah joined Cartref Cleddau in July 2019 as a deputy manager before being promoted to service manager in December 2021.

Sarah’s proudest moment of her career to date is implementing the changes at Cartref Cleddau, which mean the facility can now offer whole of life care.

Sarah explained: “Previously we could not look after residents with dementia. A diagnosis of dementia would mean that we would no longer be able to care for those residents resulting in them facing huge disruption. That is no longer the case and all staff are fully trained to care for people with dementia, keeping their care stable and secure.”

As well as being an avid reader, Sarah enjoys spending time with her three dogs who love nothing more than chasing a ball on the beach a few minutes away from home.

Sean Tregonning, Head of Marketing and Communications at Shaw Healthcare, said: “Sarah is not just an outstanding service manager, she is a champion in social care.

“She doesn’t just manage a care home; she transforms lives those of her residents, their families, and the staff she mentors.

“When Sarah took on the role of service manager, it didn’t come without its challenges. As well as low morale with many of the team, the home was operating with a high number of empty beds but Sarah’s drive, passion and determination, along with her kind and caring manner, turned the home around to which it now boasts a waiting list and a team of happy employees.”

Mario Kreft MBE, Chair of the Care Forum Wales, said the Wales Care Awards once again shone a light on the “unsung heroes and heroines” who make a vital difference to the lives of vulnerable people across the nation.

He said: “For more than 30 years, Care Forum Wales has worked tirelessly to champion the social care sector.

“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.”

A special moment in the evening when Mair Elis-Thomas, widow of the late Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas, took to the stage to present one of the awards.

According to Mr Kreft it was a touching gesture that reflected Lord Elis Thomas’s long standing support for the Wales Care Award and for social care more broadly.

“Dafydd was a passionate believer in the power of the arts to enrich lives and support wellbeing and mental health,” said Mr Kreft.

“He is greatly missed, but his legacy lives on – not only through his contribution to public life as a Presiding Officer, but also through the positive impact he had on so many communities.”