Two learners with Cymru Care Training won awards at the annual B-wbl awards ceremony, held at Parc Y Scarletts on Friday 6th June, 2025.
Sarah Aue won the Foundation Apprenticeship Learner of the Year Award and Oyinlola Joy Ogunjuyigbe won the Inspirational Use of the Welsh Language Award.
Sarah Aue : Foundation Apprenticeship Learner of the Year
Sarah began her career working with children. However, on August 14, 2022, she moved into adult care by joining
The Beeches care home, marking a significant shift in her professional journey. This was her first role in adult care,
a new challenge that came with both opportunities and obstacles. Determined to advance her career, in February
2023 Sarah started a Foundation Apprenticeship, but while facing personal and emotional hurdles along the way.
One of the biggest barriers Sarah faced was a lack of confidence and low self-esteem. These challenges were
compounded by a period of mental ill health that had surfaced following the breakdown of her marriage and
other personal difficulties. She described herself as having been "a flower in the corner" but expressed a strong
desire to become "a flower that blooms." This metaphor perfectly encapsulated her journey from self-doubt to
self-assurance.
Starting the course was a significant challenge for Sarah. While she was confident in her ability to perform her job
effectively, translating her knowledge and experiences into written work proved difficult. She found it challenging
to articulate her ideas and responses on paper, which initially slowed her progress. However, despite struggling
initially, she remained committed to her development. Rather than submitting work in small increments, Sarah
would often take time to process her thoughts and then submit multiple pieces at once.
Despite these initial difficulties, Sarah’s work demonstrated a high level of quality and depth. Her reflections on
her practice were particularly noteworthy, as she provided detailed narratives with background stories to
illustrate the context of her experiences. These reflections helped her analyse and explain various care situations
with clarity and insight, highlighting her ability to learn from real-life scenarios. Her dedication and thoughtful
approach to her coursework impressed her assessor.
Sarah’s confidence began to grow as she received constructive and supportive feedback on her work. This
encouragement reinforced her belief in her abilities and motivated her to keep pushing forward. Over time, she
transformed into a confident and self-assured carer, proving to herself and others that she was more than capable
of succeeding in her role.
As a testament to her hard work, perseverance, and personal growth, Sarah was promoted while still working
towards her Level 2 Apprenticeship. Her journey serves as an inspiring example of resilience and determination,
demonstrating that with the right support and mindset, it is possible to overcome personal challenges and flourish
in a new career path.
Joy Ogunjuyigbe : Inspirational Use of the Welsh Language
Joy is a dedicated and compassionate carer of African descent, is navigating the challenge of learning Welsh while
working in a care home. Before joining the care sector, Joy had no prior experience with the Welsh language and
was not a Welsh speaker. However, working in an environment with numerous Welsh-speaking residents has
made her keenly aware of the importance of being able to communicate with them in their native language. She
recognises that language plays a crucial role in fostering meaningful connections, ensuring residents feel valued,
and providing a sense of comfort and familiarity.
Determined to overcome this language barrier, Joy took the initiative to complete the Prentis-Iaith Awareness
course while working towards her Level 2 Core qualification. This course provided her with a foundation in
understanding of Welsh, sparking her enthusiasm for further learning. She is now actively expanding her
vocabulary and improving her pronunciation by maintaining a growing list of Welsh words and phrases on her
phone. Every time she encounters a new word, whether in conversation or reading, she records it and shares it
with her assessor for practice.
Joy consistently incorporates these newly learned words and phrases into her daily interactions with both Welsh-
speaking staff and residents. Her efforts have been met with enthusiasm and appreciation, as residents are
delighted to hear her speaking their language. Her dedication, perseverance, and willingness to embrace a new
language demonstrate an inspiring commitment to inclusive and person-centred care. She truly deserves
recognition for her hard work and positive impact.
A huge 'Well done' to both of these learners for their achievements and to the other award winners and all the nominees on the night.
