a day ago
Wrexham woman wins Coleg Cambria Learner of the Year award
Emily Satterthwaite, who works as a carer at Pendine Park's Penybryn care home, was named Learner of the Year at the Coleg Cambria Student Awards 2025.
She was selected by a judging panel for the Delivery Partner Learner of the Year accolade, recognising her work.
The 34-year-old has been at the care home for six years and has managed to excel in her Level 3 qualification course despite experiencing years of ill health and the death of her father, Keith Richard Bunn, two years ago.
As well as battling Crohn's disease herself, she has supported her mum and partner through cancer diagnoses.
Ms Satterthwaite, of Coedpoeth, said she 'could not be more delighted' and sees it as a tribute to her late father, her loving family, and herself.
She said: "He was a real fighter and believed in carrying on as best you can whatever the odds.
"He instilled in me a phenomenal work ethic which I will always be grateful for."
Ms Satterthwaite regularly leads the night shift and has achieved a Health and Social Care Level 2 qualification, as well as continuing her care sector training with the care organisation.
Her mentor and Pendine Park tutor, Jenna Evans, nominated Ms Satterthwaite for the award, saying she has shown 'indomitable levels of courage' in achieving all she has done in recent years.
She said: "Emily's journey is a testament to her resilience, dedication, and commitment to health and social care.
"It is remarkable and truly admirable that, despite being diagnosed with Crohn's Disease, Emily still chose to work in care.
"She has shown such commitment given all the ongoing hardships she and her family have faced."
Ms Satterthwaite's ultimate goal is to become a nurse, a job she hopes to pursue after achieving her Level 3 qualification.
She said: "It's been my ambition ever since I was a child.
"Gaining my nursing qualification would be a dream come true for me.
"I would love to work as a palliative nurse in a care home."
Ms Satterthwaite's mum, Diane Marie Bunn, who is also a carer at Penybryn, said she is 'enormously proud' of her daughter and 'constantly amazed' at her inner strength.
She said: "Emily has been through so much since her teenage years but she has always fought so hard to achieve her ambitions, I could not be more proud of her.
"She is an inspiration to me and to others.
"It's wonderful to see how much she has progressed, and I'm so pleased for her attaining the Learner of the Year award, she thoroughly deserves it."
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Penybryn manager Tracey Cuthill also praised Ms Satterthwaite, saying: "We're all incredibly proud of what Emily has achieved.
"Her commitment to learning is truly heroic given everything she has had to overcome to achieve such remarkable success.
"She is a credit to herself, a credit to her family, and a credit to Pendine and a role model for all who aspire to be the best they can be."
