A CARER from Chipping Sodbury is celebrating after being named South West Carer of the Year at a prestigious awards ceremony.

Myra Jones was given the accolade by Bluebird Care at the Fortnum and Mason — London Piccadilly’s luxury department store — at the Carer of the Year 2016 awards.

The 68-year-old has worked with Bluebird Care for almost two years and won by a large number of votes cast by her colleagues.

She plays an important role in working with people who live with dementia, physical or learning disabilities. She visits them in their own homes and works alongside families and other health services to ensure everyone receives the care needed.

She said: “I’d never worked as a carer before, it was a steep learning curve, but I gained a lot of experience shadowing the other carers. I learned from the huge amount of love, dignity, and respect they show.

“Then I was out and about in the community on my own. The people we visit are so glad to see us and put so much trust in us.”

Her manager, Jack Whitfield, said: “Myra has beaten 2,500 other Bluebird Care carers across the region to be named as South West Carer of the Year.

“She is thoroughly deserving of this award, not least because she works hard with a smile on her face. Through her cheery attitude she is able to bring a smile to everyone else’s too.”

“She is an asset to our team and a joy to work with.”

Myra believes by ‘finding common ground’ she was able to help make a difference to her client’s lives. As a Bristolian she shared memories of old Bristol, and often used singing to connect with her clients, becoming well known as the ‘Singing Carer’.

“I sing to myself a lot, but with some people we used to spend some of our companionship time for singing together.

“One lady who was affected by Alzheimer’s didn’t talk very much. She became engaged through song. In the end we had 25 songs we would sing.”

Myra previously worked in recruitment for the National Trust but found more fulfillment supporting those she cared for in South Gloucestershire.

“There have been some amazing and joyful moments in this job, and I’ve had a wonderful time, and a journey of self-discovery too.

“I feel privileged to be given the award. I was rendered speechless when Jack first announced that I had been nominated. The grand ceremony was one of the best days of my life.”