A FORMER high-flying businessman and award-winning sports coach put his talents – and Lego – to good use during lockdown.

When a group of young people in his care faced possible frustration at seeing their activities severely restricted Gary Bassett, who lives near Mold, knew exactly what to do.

Now his skill in communicating with the lads and keeping them occupied has led to his being shortlisted for a prestigious award.

Gary, 49, is a team leader at Pant Glas Uchaf care home near Ruthin which accommodates six youngsters, some with complex behavioural problems.

Read more: Pet foodbank 'ready for whatever winter will bring' after 'impressive' first month

The home is part of the Caretech company, and it is deputy manager Claire Howard who has nominated Gary for one of this year’s Wales Care Awards.

The awards are organized by Care Forum Wales to recognise outstanding work in the care sector. Gary has been shortlisted in the category for Residential Support Worker, sponsored by Christie and Co.

The awards will be presented at a ceremony in City Hall, Cardiff, on October 21.

Gary has worked at Pant Glas for about five years but has a wealth of experience in business and in dealing with young people.

For 10 years he was human resources director for Lego, responsible for central and southern Europe. But he gave that up to launch his own sports coaching company A-Star Sports Ltd., a franchise which grew to cover much of the country.

READ MORE: Cheshire Oaks will be closed on Monday while Vue to screen funeral of Queen

He has always been interested in sports and in 2014 was named as Coach of the Year for Cheshire West and Chester.

He decided on yet another change of direction and immediately took to his new role at Pant Glas, forever finding new ways of keeping the youths occupied after listening to their wishes.

Claire and her colleagues were particularly impressed by the work Gary did with one of the home’s more challenging teenagers who, as a result of the support and encouragement he received, left Pant Glas having had a job and college placement.

When the pandemic curtailed many activities Gary managed to keep the boys as active as possible, bringing in his own extensive collection of Lego to help keep them motivated.

“Without Gary the lockdown would have had a much more negative impact on the health and well-being of the young people,” said Claire.

Gary said his experience in organising activities for children during school holidays had proved very useful at Pant Glas and he thoroughly enjoyed the challenge.

“The type of clientele we have means that they can sometimes become frustrated, but I enjoy planning their activities,” he said.