How former RAF man used military know how to build decontamination unit during Covid

A former care home owner has told how he built a decontamination unit to keep people safe during the Covid pandemic. Ex-RAF serviceman Glyn Williams used his military experience to construct the emergency centre in his home's atrium.

He had left the RAF in 2004 and with his wife Mary bought the Gwyddfor Residential Home in Bodedern near Holyhead. Glyn's military training meant he was more than aware of the looming threat of the Covid outbreak in 2019-2020.

Speaking as he accepted an award, Glyn, 63, said: “At Gwyddfor we built a decontamination tank and made sure everything was sterilised before it came into the building. We were thinking how could we stop the virus coming into the building and so we made sure everything was decontaminated and clean.

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“We set up a tent outside, we had a ‘red area’, we sterilised everything that came in. We took the atrium and divided it up into two and had an amber area and a green area. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox.

“Staff were getting changed into uniforms which were laundered on the premises, and so we were just keeping everything spotlessly clean. That all worked out well. We went 18 months before we finally relaxed our procedures.”

Glyn added: “One of the biggest problems we had in the early days was the dire shortage of PPE allied to the fact we didn’t have adequate funds. I suppose I was a little bit too outspoken at times but somebody had to tell it as it was, and fortunately it helped.

“And I am convinced now that if it hadn’t been for the media we wouldn’t have got anywhere. The whole sector did an absolutely amazing job the way they looked after their residents and their staff.”

Glyn and Mary have recently sold the care home after owning it for 20 years and are helping the new owners bed in. "There will be mixed emotions when we finally step away because we put so much into the home, but we know it is in good hands,” said Glyn.

“We’ve grown it from 16 beds to 28 beds. We have put our heart and soul into the home, it’s a very special place.”

Now retired, Glyn was speaking as he was awarded for his extraordinary efforts at a Special Recognition Award at the Wales Care Awards - dubbed the Oscars of social care - in a ceremony in Cardiff hosted by radio and TV presenter Jason Mohammad.

Humble Glyn said he had no idea he was to receive an award at the ceremony, and said the “real heroes were the ones that didn’t make it through the pandemic”.

He said: “The award came as a heck of a shock, I had no idea but I am incredibly grateful to receive the award. To be honest I don’t really deserve it any more than any of the other fantastic social care workers.

“For many years I have also had the privilege of judging for the care awards. It is amazing to hear these people’s stories and how they go above and beyond.

“Those people who get through to the awards absolutely deserve it. And of course, the real heroes were the ones that didn’t make it through the pandemic as far as I am concerned, especially during the early days."

Glyn had campaigned tirelessly for politicians to give more financial support. The award was presented by Mario Kreft MBE, the chair of Care Forum Wales.

He said: “The people working on the frontline during the pandemic put their own lives on the line to keep vulnerable people safe. There were thousands of Covid warriors who rose magnificently to the unprecedented challenge but Glyn was undoubtedly our Top Gun.

"He was a fearless and formidable advocate not only on behalf of his own residents and staff but also for the social care sector as a whole. Glyn was truly heroic and was willing to put his head above the parapet and speak truth to power, doing so with great eloquence and moral authority. "

He added: "We are grateful to the Welsh Government for the financial support they gave the sector which was far greater than that received by our counterparts in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Glyn undoubtedly played his part in persuading the powers that be that the sector needed that support to remain financially afloat and protect the vulnerable people for whom we provide care.”

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