Unpaid carers, families and young people were recognised at a community awards ceremony held at Perivale Library earlier this month (13 December 2025), with organisers highlighting the often unseen pressures faced by those balancing care with work and everyday life.
The second Show Me You Care awards were founded by Michelle Alexander, who set up Aka Life Coaching seven years ago after nearly three decades working across social care, early help services and family support. Ms Alexander, a former unpaid carer herself, launched the initiative after identifying gaps in support for people unable to access weekday services.
Nine awards and a lifetime achievement honour were presented from 35 nominations, with judging carried out by Ms Alexander, Councillor Surinder Jassal and youth support mentor Jamie Green.
Natalie Quilter was named working unpaid carer of the year for workplace advocacy informed by her own caring experience. Selina John received parent carer of the year for her ongoing efforts to secure appropriate educational support for her autistic daughter. Sharon Brookshaw won family carer of the year, while Miranda Lee was awarded unpaid carer of the year for three decades of caring responsibilities across generations.
Louise John, from Northolt, received sandwich carer of the year for balancing paid care work with caring for family members. Grace Spinola was named young carer of the year, recognised for resilience while growing up in a neurodiverse family environment. Ria John Thompson won young person of the year for continuing her studies and creative work while managing daily challenges. The male unpaid carer of the year award went to Siddharth for long-term care for his son, who was born with a congenital heart condition.
Councillor Jassal, from Southall, was named ambassador of the year for raising awareness of unpaid carers, drawing on her own caring experiences. A lifetime achievement award was presented to Sandra, from Perivale, and Pamela, recognised for lifelong commitment to supporting their adult children with special educational needs.
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