July and August Mirus Moments winners

Every month, we hear about Mirus team members, volunteers and people we support who are making a real difference—whether that’s through thoughtful support, creative ideas, or simply being there when it matters most.

This time, we’re sharing the Mirus Moments winners for both July and August, as we didn’t get the chance to share the winners last month.

Thank you to everyone who sent in a nomination—we’re really pleased to celebrate these brilliant examples of what it means to be part of Mirus.

Mirus team members can now read recent nominations and submit their own on Mirus Connect.

People we support, family members, and anyone else outside Mirus can also make a nomination using our usual public link: bit.ly/mirusmoments

Owen Davies, Mirus team member in Central Services

Owen has been an invaluable source of support for the managers in Swansea, especially in helping them develop their knowledge and confidence to take ownership of their budgets and financial responsibilities. His presence and accessibility have strengthened the connection between operational managers and the finance department, bridging gaps where there was previously a sense of disconnect. Owen’s expertise, approachable nature, and solution-focused mindset enable him to tackle challenges effectively, offering insights from both a financial and operational perspective.

Steven Wood, Mirus team member in Respite

Steven is a Cardiff City season ticket holder and attends all home games in his personal time. Steven supports two brothers on CCX who love football, especially Cardiff City and Steven arranged with their family to be able to support them both to attend a game. Steven arranged this in his own time and did not want to be paid for supporting them as he said ‘I would be attending anyway and it was just great to see their faces and how much of a positive impact it had on them, it makes it all worth it’.

Charley Morris, Mirus team member in Neath Port Talbot

As everyone is aware I suffer with severe epilepsy and have seizures on a daily basis often having more then one, they have had a serious impact on my overall health both physically, emotionally and mentally but it has also impacted my self-esteem and self confidence. Firstly I would like to point out all the staff at Geriants house do an exceptional job supporting me with the needs I face due to my condition and often go above and beyond to ensure I have my dignity and that my views are respected. However this Mirus Moment is for Charley as she is extremely empathetic towards my needs as she has life experience of supporting close family with epilepsy, she takes the time to ensure I am safe and well and that I understand everything that is being said. When I need help coming back around she is always a calming influence, without Charley I would struggle to remain upbeat about my condition

Amy Crockett, Mirus team member in Ystradgynlais

Amy has worked closely with a young lady for several years. Recently, the young lady had been exhibiting behaviors that made it increasingly challenging for the support staff to engage with her effectively. Recognising the impact this was having on the young lady’s well-being, Amy took proactive steps by maintaining regular contact with relevant professionals to explore strategies that could enhance her quality of life.

One of Amy’s key suggestions was to trial 1:1 community outings, instead of the usual 2:1 support ratio. This change meant the young lady wouldn’t always have to wait for a second staff member to be available, increasing her opportunities to access the community and engage in activities more spontaneously.

This approach was trialled and has proven successful. The young lady is now able to visit local places with one staff member, which has led to increased community participation, reduced behaviors of concern, and improved sleep patterns. Thanks to Amy’s initiative and continued advocacy, the young lady is enjoying more independence and a significantly better quality of life.

Cathryn W, supported by Mirus in Cardiff 

Cathryn has been with Mirus for just under a year where previously she lived with her family. Cathryn has never lived with anyone outside of her family before and has now settled in lovely! She has taken tasks on that she has never done before and is not afraid to give things a go! With a bit of encouragement and praise, Cathryn will give anything a go! Cathryn has grown in confidence immensely over the last few months and even loves a little bit of cheeky banter! It has been a pleasure supporting Cathryn and seeing her confidence grow living in supported living! Well done Cathryn, I’m very proud of you!

Stephen D, supported by Mirus in Gwent

Steve started his support with Mirus eight months ago. He’s an inspiration to all of us at Kennard Court. Steve is non-verbal, he came to us with a limited vocabulary of a few words, he’s now up to thirteen words. His progress has been phenomenal, and he’s adapted well to his new home. All of us at Kennard Court couldn’t be prouder of his progress and are excited to see how far he can go!

Craig Hyatt, Mirus team member in Cardiff

Since joining the organisation just a year ago, Craig has quickly become a valued and respected member of the team. His positive energy, humour, and optimism are a welcome presence in every PATCH meeting, helping to foster a supportive and uplifting team culture.

Craig’s impact is clearly reflected in the feedback from families and professionals alike. A recent compliment from a family member described the care provided under Craig’s leadership as “spot on.” They went on to say:

“(…) My uncle is very well cared for by the team leader and staff. My recent visits this year, including on 17th July 2025, have surpassed more than I could hope or possibly imagine. His room, furnishings, aids, and surrounding areas such as the garden are faultless — a massive improvement… In fact, it is a pleasure to see and visit. I would like to add a huge thank you to the team leader and staff that made this possible.”

This heartfelt feedback speaks volumes about Craig’s commitment to quality care and his ability to lead meaningful change.

In addition to family feedback, Craig has also received high praise from the local authority. Their most recent compliment expressed appreciation for the outstanding work Craig is doing at Rookwood, particularly in supporting the transition of new PWS into the service. They specifically highlighted his skill in forming professional and supportive relationships with the family member, noting that this approach was instrumental in ensuring a smooth and positive transition experience.

Craig’s dedication to the wellbeing of both the people we support, and his team makes him an exemplary manager and a truly deserving nominee.

Louise Redman, Mirus team member in Gwent

Louise joined Mirus 5 years ago and on starting was capable of joining the management team, but she lacked confidence, so didn’t want to be put forward for a managers progression course, thinking she wouldn’t be able to do it. In April this year Louise overcome her doubts and applied for a Practice Leader role and was successful. I know she is going to be an amazing manager and am so proud of her for going for it. Well done Lou!

Richard Simmons, Mirus team member in Bridgend

Richard stepped up and assisted a colleague in the Bridgend office when they collapsed. When an ambulance was delayed, he stepped up and offered his car to take her to a&e

Richard really stepped up today when a member of staff collapsed at the Bridgend office, he selflessly offered his assistance and helped me take the staff member to A&E in his car as an ambulance was not available for hours. He was calm and helpful in a difficult situation. He also offered to collect us from the hospital when we were done. Thanks Rich :)

Josh G, supported by Mirus in Brecon

Josh has recently moved into a new Mirus service in Brecon. I wanted to nominate him for being empowering as I have heard lots of feedback that he is empowering the others he lives with to become more independent & has taken a lead in encouraging them to do more.

Josh was being supported by a member of staff who became ill on shift, Josh acted calmly and quickly to get help. Josh raised the alarm with the next door neighbour before phoning on call while someone else phoned an ambulance. Josh made sure the other people in the house continued with what they were doing in order for everyone to stay calm. The staff member was then able to make her way to hospital after other staff were contacted to cover the house.

Cardiff Management Team, special mention

Since the implementation of the new management structure in August 2024, the Cardiff Team Leaders and Locality Managers have consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, and resilience. Over the past year, we’ve witnessed these managers truly grow into their roles—supporting each other, building confidence, and embedding a collaborative and values-led approach across services.

Their commitment has been reflected in both internal and external feedback. Notably, we received a highly positive CIW inspection report and encouraging feedback from Cardiff Local Authority following the monitoring review visits in June 2025. The report highlighted:

“Clear evidence of embedded practices aligned with statutory requirements, particularly in safeguarding, service oversight, risk management, and communication. Staff demonstrated strong awareness, effective use of resources, and proactive leadership structures.”

“Risk assessments are consistently reviewed and updated, with clear accountability measures ensuring staff remain responsive to individuals’ evolving needs—supporting compliance with Regulation 20 through proactive, informed risk management.”

“Structured communication systems and robust record-keeping processes were evident across all services, ensuring continuity of care, timely responses, and compliance with Regulation 37. These practices reinforce a culture of transparency, accountability, and person-centred support.”

This reflects the deeply embedded culture of continuous improvement and a strong, united commitment to delivering safe, high-quality care in line with Welsh regulatory standards.

In addition to these achievements, the last month has brought immense challenge as the organisation underwent a significant restructure. Throughout this time, the professionalism and integrity of the Cardiff managers has been exemplary. Despite uncertainty and personal impact, their focus remained unwavering: supporting people and prioritising the wellbeing of those who rely on our services.

We would also like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt recognition and thanks to those colleagues who did not secure a post in the new structure or who were not appointed to their preferred roles. Your commitment, hard work, and dedication during this transition period did not go unnoticed. You have played a vital role in shaping the strong foundations we now build upon, and we are deeply grateful for your contribution.

The Cardiff Team Leaders and Locality Managers have shown what it means to lead with compassion, resilience, and purpose. We are proud to nominate them for this recognition.

 – This nomination was completed by the Cardiff Area Managers Team