Meet our Corporate Manager for Direct Services

​The Through Age and Wellbeing Programme is transforming our social care services into early help, prevention and through-age specialist services. So that you can discover more about the work of the teams involved in this ground-breaking transformation we are introducing you to the Corporate Managers who are leading on this work. In this feature we are pleased to introduce you to Nerys Lewis, Corporate Manager of Direct Services . Please read on and find out a bit more about Nerys, her role and the work of her team.

Can you tell us about your role and the work of your team?

The Direct Services team provide person-centred care and support to the most vulnerable people in Ceredigion’s communities. My role is wide and varied, with a requirement to work jointly and collaboratively with colleagues across the authority in delivering and providing through-age services.

We are very fortunate to have a team of dedicated, flexible and skilled staff that are always willing to go the extra mile.

The Fostering Service is a central element of providing safe and secure homes for the Looked after Children of Ceredigion. I’ll grab this opportunity to highlight that we are always looking for foster carers and if this is something you or someone else you know may be interested in, then please get in touch with the team!

The Day Service provides care and support for young people with Learning Disabilities, including transition age right through to older aged adults with and without Learning Disabilities.

We have five Council run residential care homes across the County that provide a range of respite, temporary and permanent 24/7 residential care for adults. I also provide support, advice and guidance to the private sector residential care in the county.

Tell us a little about yourself…

Originally from ‘Dyffryn Aeron’ and the village of Felin Fach, I was very fortunate and privileged to be one of ‘Plant y Board’, which meant that I had a member of my family who worked at the milk factory (MMB / Dairy Crest at the time).

I attended Ysgol Gynradd Felin Fach before breaking the trend for the school and being the first child to progress to Lampeter Secondary School.

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I’m sure a number of you would consider Felin Fach to be a quiet an ordinary village, but no……my diary throughout my childhood and youth was full to the rafters. From being a member of Felin Fach YFC, the Adran and Aelwyd Yr Urdd, Côr Dwynant, Clwb Drama, Ysgol Sul Ystrad and Cwmni Ieuenctid Ceredigion to being part of the Welsh Christmas Panto and cast of Bontlwyd a Daily Soap Opera on Radio Ceredigion, life was interesting. I was also fortunate to participate in a range of productions with Bryth Gof and Cwmni Theatr Ieuenctid Dyfed just to name a few.

Unfortunately, whilst in secondary school, I suffered with something similar to ME, which effected my earlier decisions around further education pathways, but as they say ‘some things happen for a reason’. Before becoming ill, my eyes were set on Cardiff but that wasn’t to be, and by then I had not ventured from the beautiful realms of Ceredigion. I completed my further education at Coleg Ceredigion before progressing with higher education from home and through training and development opportunities with the authority. I’m a strong believer that we never stop learning, hence continuing with my individual development and training is always at the forefront.

I started working at Ceredigion County Council in 2004 on a temporary 3-month contract in the Economic Team. From this, I progressed into a range of different co-ordinating and Management roles before moving over to Social Services in 2015. I’ve been involved with Direct Services since 2016.

I’m married, have twins who are nearly 20, along with a mischievous 9 year old. Most of my spare time involves the children, but I wouldn’t have it any other way! I love the fresh air of Ceredigion, all sorts of music genres including Classical, Jazz and Opera. There’s nothing better than a family night round the piano having a good old sing song!

What role does your team play in the through-age and wellbeing model?

The Through Age and Wellbeing programme is an exciting opportunity for us as a team to review what we currently provide and how this will need to enhance and transpose in the future. Covid has required us to work differently and there have been a number of learnings that have come out of this period. As part of the Through Age model, we know that there are areas that we will need to develop in ensuring that we meet the current and future needs of the population of Ceredigion. Working together across the model will allow us to review and plan for direct provision for the short, medium and long term.

How important is Signs of Safety?

Throughout the service there are a number of areas that we are currently reviewing and changing based on the requirements of regulatory functions. The Signs of Safety and Wellbeing framework is always at the forefront of our minds and will become a central way of working as we progress through the transition period of the programme.

What do you find most rewarding about the work of your team?

Being part of #TeamCeredigion and knowing that we do make a positive difference to people’s lives.

The most rewarding element is the ability to make a difference to a person’s life no matter their age. Also, the privilege we have in being part of each individual’s life journey from the young at the start of their lives to the older generation coming to the end of their life.

Tell us something we might not know about you…

I’ve walked the whole of Ceredigion Coastal path. I represented Dyfed in the National Cycle Safety Competition and came 2nd and 3rd over Wales. And I have an interesting relationship with water….at the age of four, I went down the slide of Aberaeron swimming pool without any armbands on my own and was saved from drowning by the life guard. Later on in life, returning from working at the Royal Welsh, a fellow local authority colleague and I had a very narrow escape going through two wild rivers (measured by the level of water against her polka dot wellingtons) over Abergwesyn mountain in my little Polo GTTdi. Apparently a Landover traveling shortly after couldn’t get through….we did it but not sure how.

And as we progress with the through age model….yes I am ‘Dwmplen Malwoden’ in the Mudiad Meithrin production at the Ceredigion National Eisteddfod of Wales, 1992!

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