A woman who was labelled 'naughty' at school due to her dyslexia has won a national award.

Laura Shone, 32, a staff trainer at the Pendine Park care organisation in Wrexham, was recognised at the 2024 Wales Care Awards.

She was awarded gold in the Commitment to Training and Workforce Development category.

The awards are considered the 'Oscars of social care.'

Ms Shone said: "I still can't quite believe this has happened to me.

"I keep looking at the trophy with my name inscribed on it and feeling very proud, not just for myself but for everyone at the Highfield Park home where I have worked for 13 years.

"It was thanks to everyone there that I was nominated for and won this award."

Her six-year-old son, Harri, who became a 'national TV star' earlier this year when he appeared on BBC's The One Show because of his regular visits to Highfield, told her: "I'm so proud of you mummy."

Ms Shone left school at 16 and went to college but did not enjoy either experience due to her dyslexia.

She said: "At school they labelled me as a 'naughty student' because of it.

"The school environment definitely wasn't for me and I'm afraid it was much the same when I went to college."

She found her first job looking after horses at a local farm shop much more enjoyable.

She said: "It was perfect for me because I am a horse lover and now have two of my own – Harrison who is 27 years old and Bailey, who is 22 and has only one eye after he lost the other when he had an accident with a tree branch."

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Ms Shone's career really started to take off at Highfield, which cares for 112 residents.

She explained: "The root of person-centred care and the enrichment of residents stems from good training.

"In my job I feel that everyone deserves the best training and I enjoy developing the staff because I always want people to feel that they are capable and can better themselves no matter what."

During the pandemic, Ms Shone worked 'tirelessly' to ensure the safety and well-being of residents and staff, often coming in early in the morning and staying until late at night ensuring that staff followed safety protocols.

She even produced her own video on correct hand-washing techniques with background music of the Bee Gees’ famous hit Stayin’ Alive which was a 'huge hit' with all who saw it.

A senior staff member who nominated Ms Shone for the Wales Care Awards said: "Staff know that she worked hard and sacrificed a lot to ensure their safety and as a result Highfield general nursing unit didn’t lose any residents to Covid and to this day it is still that way.

"Staff see Laura as a credit to Highfield and feel that she makes everyone comfortable, well inducted and trained to the highest standard."

Mario Kreft, chairman of Care Forum Wales, said the standard of entries was 'extremely high.'

He said: "There are only winners here tonight so it is only fitting that the finalists will receive a gold, silver or bronze Wales Care Award.

"I trust that they will continue to inspire those around them as role models and encourage others to aspire to even greater heights and in the months and years to come.

"This awards ceremony is our opportunity to pay tribute and to celebrate the talent and commitment that is improving the quality of life for thousands and thousands of people throughout Wales.

"We take our hats off to them."