Opera superstar Sir Bryn Terfel has issued a passionate rallying cry, urging the public to nominate Wales's most dedicated and unsung social care heroes for a prestigious national awards ceremony.
A Celebration of Excellence in Care
The search has officially begun for the 2026 Wales Care Awards, an annual event designed to shine a spotlight on the remarkable individuals working in care homes and home-care services across the nation. Sir Bryn, a long-standing champion of the awards, is encouraging colleagues, managers, and family members to put forward names for consideration. He stresses that nominations are vital not just for the award bearing his name, but for every category, to recognise excellence across the entire profession.
Among the accolades is the Sir Bryn Terfel Foundation Award, which specifically celebrates outstanding work in integrating the arts into social care settings. This special category highlights how creative activities like music, painting, and drama bring comfort, joy, and dignity to those receiving care.
Honouring the Backbone of Our Communities
The awards encompass a wide range of honours, celebrating frontline care practitioners, nurses, chefs, dementia specialists, and those who champion fulfilled lives for care recipients. Sir Bryn emphasised the critical role these individuals play, stating: "Every day, social care staff go above and beyond, often without the recognition that they richly deserve. Supporting the Wales Care Awards is my way of helping to shine a light on their incredible work."
He added: "These people are the backbone of our communities. Families rely on their compassion and skill, and it is only right that we celebrate the difference they make to people's lives across Wales."
The glittering awards ceremony for 2026 is scheduled to take place at the Holland House Hotel in Cardiff on Friday, October 16. In a move inspired by the Olympics, every finalist will be recognised, receiving a gold, silver, or bronze award.
How to Nominate a Care Hero
The awards were founded by Mario Kreft MBE, Chair of Care Forum Wales, to acknowledge the 'fantastic work' of frontline staff and promote excellence in the sector. Mr Kreft said: "The Wales Care Awards are all about saying thank you to the people who keep the social care network going. If you know somebody who consistently goes the extra mile, this is your chance to make sure they get the credit they deserve."
He highlighted that the awards night provides a rare opportunity for staff to come together, share ideas, and enjoy an evening dedicated to celebrating their sector at its very best. The final deadline for all nominations is January 31, 2026. Full details on the award categories and the simple nomination process can be found at www.walescareawards.co.uk.
