2023 Winner
Positive Role Model Award: Disability
Recipient of the BBC Make a Difference Award 2022, Nicola Carey-Shine is founder of ‘The Learn to Shine school CIC’, a multi-award winning Education consultancy, clinic and Special Educational Needs Centre. Nicola left her position as Deputy Headteacher in a mainstream secondary school to forge joined-up, holistic support for those with SEN, when her first-born was 12 weeks old. Living with severe ADHD and in a completely neurodiverse household, Nicola knows first-hand the importance of having someone fighting your corner to access fair education. She has worked relentlessly to create a forest school and clinic for neurodiverse children and adults to learn, thrive and reach their full potential. During the pandemic, she achieved a MSc Psychology and trained to become an ASC/ADHD clinical specialist so that she could offer diagnosis, support and advocacy. Her motto is 'No child left behind'.