Unsung Hero of the Year finalists revealed

Shared Lives carers

David and Carmel

Carmel said: “Thank you so much for this nomination! It’s something to be proud of and being proud means being a part of something important. We love welcoming people into our home and being a part of their lives, and these awards help celebrate what Shared Lives is all about”.

Carmel and Dave were nominated by Lauren Castle, who said: “Carmel and Dave share their home with vulnerable adult, and give them a safe, warm family environment to live in. They are such reliable respite carers and support any person they welcome into their home. As they offer respite, this could be as many as 20 people a year, and they have continued to do so throughout Covid. They do their utmost to support each customer in a person-centred way and keep them safe while staying with them. As respite carers, Carmel and Dave have a huge impact on so many people. No challenge is too big for these two and they always go above and beyond to make sure that everyone who stays with them lives well and is fulfilled.

“Carmel and Dave have had an extremely long emergency respite, which has lasted a year, but they have supported her and stayed committed to providing her with excellent care, despite this starting as a respite placement. When the customer came to them he did not have much of a social life or weekly plans, Carmel and Dave supported her to purchase a wheelchair so she could access the community and get out each day, which she has absolutely loved.”

Sam Pierce

Sam Pierce

Sam’s mum Leslye said: “Winning this award would absolutely mean the world to Sam. He really loves making people smile and promoting Down's Syndrome Awareness, so with over 50,000 likes and 2,500 positive comments about his tributes, both locally and worldwide on Facebook , he has certainly achieved both.”

Sam was nominated by Amanda Hancock, who said: “Since Clap for Carers started last March, 2020, Sam has continued to clap every week. He has not only clapped for carers but every week he dresses up and claps for a different profession. He has been Spiderman and Superman for NHS Heroes, lorry driver for transport workers, a chef for feeding essential workers, a doctor, a postman... 21 in total. Why 21? Because he has Trisomy 21, Down’s Syndrome and March 21 is World Down’s Syndrome Day. By clapping every week Sam has made a difference in his community as people see him and it brightens up their day. As an unpaid carer and a teaching assistant, seeing Sam every week makes me realise that all we do in our roles really does make a difference. Every week he helps our mental health by making us smile and making us realise everyone plays an important part during this pandemic. Sam is definitely deserving of the Unsung Hero Award.”

Rachael Stone

Project lead, Shine Swindon PND Support

Rachael Stone

Rachael said: “I’m truly so honoured to be nominated and through as a finalist for this award! I’m deeply touched and in awe by the struggles and mental health issues faced and worked on by the mothers that attend Shine and the compassion and support they show each other in the Shine community with mothers returning to the sessions as artists and volunteers and to provide peer support and it is just so amazing I have the opportunity to see this, to be a part of it and to support them all in their journeys in their recovery. To be recognised and nominated by these amazing mothers is just so heartwarming and I really am so excited to be a part of these award nominations!”

She was nominated by Laura Francis, who said: “Rachael is such a hardworking and passionate person. Shine Swindon is a charity that helps mums struggling with postnatal mental illness. Rachael had been working tirelessly all through lockdown to ensure that groups have continued to run where possible and keep all of the mummies and babies safe whilst they access the support they need from Shine. She has helped so many and is available all hours of the day and night to support virtually in addition to the face to face workshops. She’s very understanding and has a huge heart. Mums, including myself, have felt supported the whole way through these lockdowns and able to express how we’re feeling without judgement. Rachael goes above and beyond every single day to improve the lives of mums who suffer with mental illness. She really is an incredible person for all that she does!”