Cardiff care home team member celebrates prestigious dementia award win

A dedicated team member at a Cardiff care home is celebrating national recognition after winning a prestigious dementia care award.

Katie Whittington, a Care Assistant at Care UK’s Llys Cyncoed, on Cyncoed Road, has been named the winner of the Dementia Care Home Worker Award at the Dementia Care Awards 2025.

 

The award honours individuals who demonstrate outstanding excellence in dementia care, going above and beyond to enhance the lives of people living with the condition.

Since joining the team in 2023, Katie has become a beloved presence at Llys Cyncoed among residents, families and colleagues, thanks to her compassionate, person-focused approach and her unwavering commitment to making a positive difference every day.

Her approach is rooted in dignity, respect, and a desire to continually improve the care experience, not just for those she supports directly, but across the whole home. Katie is passionate about staying up to date with the latest methods in dementia care and has encouraged her colleagues to adopt new approaches too.

In addition to her work as a Care Assistant, Katie is a qualified Medication Technician and a trained Namaste practitioner, a therapy that uses touch, sensory engagement and emotional connection to support people living with advanced dementia.

Katie’s approach has led to a reduction in the use of antipsychotic medication at the home. By using alternatives such as touch, reassurance and relaxation techniques, she has helped improve the wellbeing of many residents.

One example includes Katie’s work with a resident living with aphasia who often experienced distress and struggled to communicate her needs. Through consistent Namaste sessions and patient, calming support, Katie helped the resident feel more settled and engaged, leading to more positive social interaction.

Commenting on her win, Katie said: “I’m absolutely over the moon. I feel so proud to have received this award, but it’s also a reflection of the amazing support and team spirit we have here at Llys Cyncoed. For me, it’s always been about making sure residents feel safe and understood. That’s what matters most.”

Carley Hunt, General Manager at Llys Cyncoed, added: “We are beyond thrilled that Katie has been recognised with this well-deserved award. She brings incredible kindness, compassion and professionalism to everything she does, and the impact she has made on residents and colleagues alike is extraordinary. We couldn’t be prouder.”

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Llys Cyncoed provides full-time residential and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care, and incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies. The home has been configured into a series of neighbourhoods to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents.