SWANSEA: The care group boss behind two Swansea care homes is leading a national vote, and it closes today

The chief executive of the care group behind two Swansea care homes has been named among the 30 most influential leaders in British social care, and is topping the public vote with hours to go.

Bethan Evans, who leads My Choice Healthcare, owner of Hawthorn Court in Sketty and Ocean Living on the Mumbles seafront, is on the shortlist for the Social Care Top 30, run by the industry magazine Care Talk.

The vote to pick the final ten closes on Thursday 1 October. When we looked on Wednesday morning, her name was at the top of the poll with around 5,300 of the 16,800 votes cast so far.

Thirty years in care, seven at the top

Bethan has worked in care for more than 30 years across the public and private sectors, and was brought in by My Choice Healthcare’s founders seven years ago to set up and lead the company, it says. It bought the two Swansea homes from Alan and Gloria Thorburn in 2022, when she was managing director, a title since changed to chief executive, and the group had five homes.

It now has 11 across England and Wales, plus a home care service, and employs nearly 500 people supporting older people and vulnerable adults, including those with learning disabilities, mental illness and dementia. Beyond Swansea its homes include Towy Castle in Carmarthen and services in Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Bargoed and the Brecon Beacons.

“Being shortlisted alongside so many of the inspiring leaders who make such a difference in our industry is a real privilege, and I feel humbled and delighted to be recognised in this way,” she said.

“Since the very beginning of my career, I’ve been committed to helping people to live their best lives, supporting the wellbeing of the most vulnerable in society, and bringing a person-centred approach to everything I do.”

The home where a 102-year-old got her wish

Hawthorn Court, a 22-bed Victorian house on three floors for older people including those living with dementia, was in the news last November when manager Teri Edwards won a Wales Care Awards bronze after booking a Butler in the Buff for a 102-year-old resident who asked for one.

Bethan put her forward, calling her “a force of nature”. The company says its aim is a culture where residents “feel safe, valued and heard” and staff “feel supported, inspired and empowered”.

Founded in 2019 by Craig Sheppard and Neil Askew, My Choice Healthcare also sponsors an award at the Wales Care Awards, and Bethan sits on sector boards and committees pushing for higher standards and, in the company’s words, “recognition of social care as a vital pillar of society”.

How to vote

The Social Care Top 30 celebrates leaders whose “leadership, innovation and dedication are making a lasting impact” on the sector, according to the organisers, and the top ten and overall winner will be announced at a dinner at the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square on Tuesday 13 October.

Voting is free and takes a minute at socialcaretop30.co.uk, and closes on Thursday.

Whatever happens in London, the two homes on the Swansea shortlist of one will still be doing the day job on Friday morning.

Author

Kit Peters

Kit Peters is a journalist and the editor of Swansea Bay News, covering Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Carmarthenshire since 2020.