Wolverhampton woman inspired to work in care by mum wins award

Claire Smith has won the Best Carer Award at the Black Country Excellence in Care Awards

A former bar worker who became a carer after looking after her mother has been named "best carer" at an awards ceremony.

Claire Smith, from Wolverhampton, cared for her mother, who has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), full-time for two years.

After becoming unemployed, Claire started a social care course at City of Wolverhampton College.

She has now been honoured at the Black Country Excellence in Care Awards.

The 31-year-old from Heath Town was so shocked that she cried when she was announced as the winner.

"I was so happy that the work I do and the quality of care I provide to service users had been recognised and that all my efforts to get my dream job had finally paid off," she said.

Claire applied for several care assistant positions but was unsuccessful in her job search, which she said was due to her dyslexia.

Claire Smith cared for her mum, who has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), for two years

Her Jobcentre advisor then encouraged her to register onto City of Wolverhampton College's social care work academy programme.

The programme is one of a range offered by the college which is funded by West Midlands Combined Authority, to equip people with the skills needed to work in priority sectors across the region and to support employers who are looking to recruit new staff.

Claire was offered a job with Handle with Care (Black Country) Ltd. While she is no longer her mother's full-time carer, she still helps where she can.

Claire said: "It was a great course at the college and I learnt a lot. I've wanted to work in the care sector for many years and when I was offered the job at Handle with Care I felt like I'd finally achieved what I really want to do."

One of the people she looks after said: "Nothing is too much for Claire and without her love and care, I would not be where I am today."