A talented music therapist has made it a hat-trick after being nominated for three top awards in just six months.
Ceri Rawson, from Bylchau, near Denbigh, said she was dumbfounded to learn she has been shortlisted as a contender to receive the prestigious Sir Bryn Terfel Foundation Wales Care Award For promoting The Arts in Social Care.
The glittering ceremony, supported by headline sponsor Ontex Healthcare, will take place at Holland House Hotel, Cardiff, on Friday, October 18, with the event being hosted by radio and TV presenter Jason Mohammad.
The shortlist of finalists in each category of award has been whittled down from hundreds of nominees in the social care sector across Wales. Each finalist will receive a gold, silver or bronze accolade.
The Sir Bryn Terfel Foundation Wales Care Award For promoting The Arts in Social Care recognises the work of groups and individuals who use their music and artistic talents to enhance the wellbeing of people in care.
The award is sponsored by the Pendine Arts and Community Trust (PACT) which was established by Pendine Park care organisation owners Mario and Gill Kreft to support arts and community initiatives in Wales.
The news came just a few days after Ceri discovered she has also been recommended for an accolade for her music therapy work in residential homes run by MHA, a charity which provides care and support for elderly people across England and Wales.
Earlier this year a music therapy project Ceri undertook on behalf of Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias with Pendine Park in Wrexham was shortlisted for an Arts and Business Cymru Award 2024.
Ceri said: “I really can’t believe it. That’s three nominations in just a few months.
“It is lovely to think that people appreciate the work I do and recognise how beneficial music is to people living with dementia.
“But I have never thought of myself as deserving of any awards. The truth is I’m simply doing a job which I love and I feel so grateful and privileged to be able to contribute to the well being of some of the most vulnerable people in our society. But there are people in the social care world who have far tougher jobs than I do. I see their commitment every time I visit the care homes where I work.
“The carers who look after residents day to day, they are the ones who deserve praise. Every one of them shows amazing dedication. They go above and beyond to help others.”
Ceri was nominated for the Sir Bryn Terfel Award by Sarah Edwards, the Artist in Residence at Pendine Parkwhere her music therapy sessions at the organisation’s care homes in Wrexham regularly bring smiles to the faces of residents.
According to Sarah, everyone always looks forward to Ceri’s visits when she brings along her keyboard and a range of percussion instruments for residents to play.
She said: “Ceri is an exceptionally talented music therapist and we were delighted when she came to sing for us at Pendine as part of our diverse enrichment program. She visited all our homes in Wrexham in turn, bringing joy, laughter, fun and much musical merriment wherever she went . She adapted each session to suit our residents’ wide ranging music tastes.
“We all congratulate her on her Wales Care Awards nomination. We wish her an enjoyable time at the presentation evening and we hope to welcome Ceri back here at Pendine Park very soon for much more music magic!”
Ceri qualified as a music therapist 15 years ago after previously working for several years as a music teacher. She said becoming a music therapist is her dream job as she loves using her music to awaken previously lost memories among people living with dementia.
She said: “Research has shown music can unlock long term memories, so people with dementia have the joy of mentally re-connecting with some happy times in their past lives.”
Away from work Ceri enjoys a busy home life raising her three young daughters, Leah, 11, Megan 10, and Awel, eight, with her husband Lion.
They live on a farm and Ceri helps Llion manage the paperwork side of the operation, including keeping records of their sheep herds and logging animal passports.
Mario Kreft MBE, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, which oversees the Wales Care Awards, said: “Our aim is to recognise the unstinting, often remarkable dedication of our unsung heroes and heroines on the front line of social care in Wales.
“The sector is full of wonderful people because it’s not just a job it’s a vocation – these are the people who really do have the X Factor.
“If you don’t recognise those who do the caring you will never provide the high standards people require and never recognise the value of the people who need care in society.
“We must do all we can to raise the profile of the care sector workforce which deserves to be lauded and applauded.
“It’s a pleasure to honour the contribution of all the finalists. Each and every one of them should be very proud of their achievement.”
