A HARDWORKING carer has been recognised for her work with the elderly with a nomination for Organisation of the Year as part of the annual Newport Night of Honour Awards.

Gwyneth Virgo, 63, of Cwmbran has dedicated her life to helping elderly people to feel safe, loved and wanted in her series of Thomas Gabrielle residential homes throughout Cwmbran.

The Kings Church has teamed up with the Argus for the third year running to find people and organisations that have gone the extra mile to help others.

Nominations are open now for the award ceremony which will take place on September 22.

The eight categories include; the above and beyond award, public service superhero award, parent of the year, volunteer of the year; and community organisation of the year.

Ms Virgo was nominated as Organisation Of The Year by team leader Lucie Athay who felt that her years of caring for others should be recognised.

“Ms Virgo started a small home in her own home with three residents many years ago as caring for the elderly was very close to her heart, " her nominator said.

“She now has two EMI care homes, Thomas Gabrielle EMI and Hollylodge, where she still works.

“She knows every patient and to give them the best quality of life.

“I have worked for her for a year and she is and inspiration to her care staff and a very special lady.”

Virgo Care Homes began in April 1995 when Ms Virgo decided to set up a small care home called Garnsville residential home caring for three elderly service users at her own home in Cwmbran running from 1995 to 2001.

Good feedback from agencies such as Age Concern led to Ms Virgo expanding her services in to Hollylodge residential home and in 2006 the Thomas and Gabrielle nursing home.

Then in 2012 the purpose built dementia care home Thomas Gabrielle EMI residential home was built.

Ms Virgo said: “I am very pleased and very honoured that someone has recognised what I do day in day out.

“A lot of care homes have a lot of bad press so it is nice that someone recognised that I do care about the services I provide and try to make each day meaningful.

”I think it is important to interact with residents and reassure them by making them feel safe, loved and wanted.

“I was brought up in a close knit community in Cwmbran and wanted to give something back.

“I lost both parents so I named the care home Thomas and Gabrielle after them.

“The care home is like a family and I have got my own family involved.”

To nominate an individual or organisation, fill out the form and send it to: Night of Honour, Kings Church, 71 Lower Dock street, Newport, NP201EH.

Nominations must be received by mid day on August 30.

You can also enter online on the Kings Church Website.

Please email info@newportsoh.org.uk.