Care in the Vale

24/07/2025

Happy Birthday, Courtney!

24/07/2025

Gratitude like this means the world to us. It’s messages like these that remind us why we do what we do. Caring isn’t just a job; it’s about people, relationships, and trust. Thank you for your kind words, JH. They inspire us to keep delivering the compassionate, high-quality care everyone deserves.

22/07/2025

🎉 Wishing the happiest of birthdays to our amazing Chief Executive & Registered Manager, Isabel! 🥳🎂

18/07/2025

Sam’s Story

During the worst of the Covid outbreak, I lost my dad. He went into Llandough for a kidney stone and ended up catching Covid while he was there. Just a week later, he was gone. I wasn’t allowed to visit him at all because of the restrictions, and that’s something I still carry, a sadness and guilt I don’t think will ever fully leave me. Not being there… it hurts.

Fast forward to March 2023, when I started working at Care in the Vale. One day stands out in particular. I was caring for this lovely man who was terminally ill. I was just washing his feet, a simple moment, nothing out of the ordinary, when he suddenly reached out, put his hands on my head and said, “Your dad’s looking down on you. He’d be so proud.” I honestly froze. I hadn’t told him anything about my dad. I just broke down crying. It was like, in that moment, something clicked. I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be.

Another moment that’s stayed with me was around Christmas last year. We were caring for this couple, Joan and Ted. Ted ended up in hospital after having a fall, and Joan was sick at home with Nora virus. I didn’t want them to miss each other over the holidays, so I visited Ted on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, just so they could FaceTime. The love between them was something else. Then, for their anniversary, I brought a bouquet. Ted used to call Joan his “best wife”, so I asked her to pop out for a bit, gave the bouquet to Ted with a tag that said, To my best wife, and when Joan saw it, her whole face lit up. It was one of those beautiful little moments that make everything worth it.

One of the clients I used to care for was 99 years old, full of wisdom. He always told me, “If you want to do something, do it today, you never know what tomorrow will bring.” I think about that a lot.

I really love what I do. My dad, when he was alive, was like this steady tree who always shielded me from life’s storms. Now it feels like it’s my turn to be that tree, for others, and for myself. To carry on something he would have been proud of.

21/06/2025

A Day in the Life: Living with Dementia

The morning light filters through the curtains, casting soft shadows across the room. She stirs, confused by the unfamiliar surroundings. The floral wallpaper, the wooden dresser, it should feel like home, but it doesn’t. Panic flickers in her chest.
She doesn’t recognise the face in the mirror. The woman staring back at her has thinning white hair, tired eyes, and a soft tremble in her hand. She blinks, searching for something familiar, something to ground her. But the connection won’t come.
A voice calls from the doorway. A kind one, gentle and patient. “Morning, Mum. Would you like a cup of tea?”

Mum. The word should mean something. She knows it should. She knows she has a daughter, somewhere, someone. But today, the name floats just out of reach.
She nods, uncertain. The tea is warm, soothing, but her hands struggle to find steadiness. A flicker of frustration crosses her face. Once, she was capable, strong, independent. Now, the simplest of tasks feel like climbing a mountain she doesn’t remember beginning.

Midday arrives with voices: some familiar, some strangers. They smile at her, speak to her with warmth, but she cannot hold onto their words. A memory slips through her grasp - a name, a place, a feeling. Like trying to catch smoke in her hands, it vanishes before she can hold onto it. She listens, nodding at the right times, pretending to understand. The shame sits heavy in her chest. No one sees it, but it’s there. She feels like an observer in her own life, disconnected from the world she once built.

Afternoon brings a walk. The garden is bright with flowers, but she doesn’t remember planting them. Her feet tread over familiar paths that feel strangely foreign. Her daughter takes her hand. She likes the warmth, even if she cannot remember why.

Evening comes with exhaustion. Her body is slowing, but her mind is restless. Gaps in her memory leave holes in her reality. Shadows grow longer. The confusion deepens.
“Where am I?” she asks quietly.
Her daughter squeezes her hand. “You’re home, Mum.”
She nods, but the word home feels like an echo from somewhere long ago.

Night arrives, and fear creeps in. The walls close in, unfamiliar and unkind. The faces she saw earlier are slipping away again. She is afraid. She doesn’t know why.

Tomorrow, she will wake and do it all again. She will search for familiarity in a world that grows stranger with each passing day. She will fight for the memories that slip through her fingers. And she will rely on the kindness of those around her, hoping they will understand the heartbreak of watching her mind fade away.

For Those Who Care for Someone with Dementia: Dementia is cruel. It steals, slowly and painfully, the pieces of a life once lived, leaving behind fragments of the person who once was. But even in the confusion, the fear, and the loss, there is love. There is patience. And for those who walk this journey alongside them, there is the quiet, unwavering commitment to never let them feel alone.
To every carer, family member, and friend navigating this difficult road: you are their anchor in a shifting sea. Your presence matters, even if they don’t always remember your name. The love you give, the patience you show, the comfort you provide. It makes all the difference.

You are doing something truly extraordinary, even when it feels unbearably hard.
And through the toughest days, know that kindness, understanding, and small moments of connection, no matter how fleeting, are the greatest gifts you can offer. 💜

13/06/2025

A lovely trip down memory lane… While sorting through some old boxes, we stumbled upon newspaper clippings from our earlier days. It was a nice reminder of where it all began. The passion, the people, and the purpose that brought us here.
From day one, our aim has been simple: to leave every person we meet a little happier than when we found them. That hasn’t changed. Back then, it was all about people, and all these years later, it still is.

We don’t just want our clients to feel cared for; we genuinely care. About their stories, their wellbeing, and their experience with us. And just as importantly, we care deeply about the incredible people who make up our team.

Here’s to the past that shaped us and the future we’re still building, one connection at a time.

07/06/2025

Domiciliary care keeps people safe, happy, and independent - because home is where life happens. Have a look at our new blog post where we separate fact from fiction when it comes to domiciliary care.

https://www.care-in-wales.com/post/domiciliary-care-separating-fact-from-fiction

When it comes to choosing the right care for ourselves or a loved one, myths and misconceptions can cloud our judgment. Domiciliary care, where dedicated care professionals provide full-time support in the home, often gets misunderstood. Many assume it’s intrusive, only suitable for those with com...

03/06/2025

Happy Birthday, Becky!
Pen-blwydd Hapus, Becky!

02/06/2025

Happy Birthday, Julie!
Pen-blwydd Hapus, Julie!

28/05/2025

Happy Birthday, Greg!

25/05/2025

Happy Birthday, Sammy-Jo!

20/05/2025

Happy Birthday, Steve!