A Sandbach woman has been nominated for two national awards recognising her work to support neurodivergent people across Cheshire.

Sheila Manzano has been nominated for the Making a Difference Award at the Pride in Neurodiversity Awards 2026, hosted by Neurodiverse Community CIC, and for the Positive Role Model Award at the National Diversity Awards 2026.

The Sandbach-based neurodiversity advocate says she hopes the nomination will help shine a light on the growing neurodivergent community across Cheshire and encourage more people to find support, connection and confidence.

Sheila said: "This nomination is not just about winning an award. It is about making neurodivergent people in Cheshire more visible.

"So many people spend years feeling different, difficult, too much or not enough. Some are diagnosed late in life. Some are still trying to understand themselves. Some are parents, carers, partners or friends trying to support someone they love.

"What we are creating locally is a space where people can talk honestly, feel less alone and realise there is nothing wrong with being wired differently."

Following her own ADHD diagnosis later in life, Sheila began using her lived experience to open up conversations around neurodiversity, masking, mental health, late diagnosis and identity.

She created Wired Differently, a neurodiversity-focused radio show on South Cheshire's community station, The Cat Radio 107.9FM and DAB, giving local people a platform to hear honest conversations about what it means to live, work and think differently.

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Sheila is also involved with Cheshire Divergent Community, a growing local group with more than 100 members, as well as developing Different Voices, One Song - a creative project inviting neurodivergent people and allies to come together in a studio to record a song for World Mental Health Day.

A mentor for care-experienced young people with Pure Insight, Sheila has spent almost two years supporting an autistic young man, an experience that has deepened her understanding of the importance of trust, consistency and being truly heard.

The award nominations place Sheila's local community work on a national platform, recognising the importance of grassroots neurodiversity support and the power of lived experience to help others feel less alone.

Sheila explained that grassroots spaces such as Wired Differently, Cheshire Divergent Community and Different Voices, One Song are vital, especially at a time when many people are waiting for answers or struggling to know where they fit.

She added: "This is not about replacing professional support. It is about making sure people have somewhere to feel seen while they are waiting, wondering, learning about themselves, or supporting someone they love.

"If I were to be officially recognised as the winner, it would not just be for me. It would be for every person in Cheshire who has ever felt different, difficult, too much or not enough.

"It would be for the late-diagnosed adults, the children waiting for answers, the parents fighting to be heard, and the people still masking their way through life.

"This is about community. It is about voice. It is about saying we are here, we matter, and we deserve to be heard.

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Public voting is now open for the Pride in Neurodiversity Awards 2026, where Sheila is nominated in the Making a Difference category.

Sheila said: "If people vote for me, I would be incredibly grateful. But more than that, I would love them to listen to the radio show, join the Cheshire Divergent Community, share the story with someone who needs it, or register interest in Different Voices, One Song. That's where I would have the most pride — supporting the neurodivergent community overall.

"People do not need to know me personally to vote. They can simply say they are voting because they support the work to make neurodivergent voices more visible.

"Whatever happens with the awards, I will continue my voluntary work across Cheshire to help neurodivergent people feel seen, supported and connected."

The Positive Role Model Award at the National Diversity Awards recognises individuals who inspire others, drive change and make a positive difference within their community.

Sheila's nomination reflects her work to champion neurodivergent voices through community radio, peer connection and creative projects.

The shortlist for the National Diversity Awards 2026 is due to be announced on 24 June 2026, with winners announced on 18 September 2026 at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral.

Voting is open to the public in the Making a Difference category at the Pride in Neurodiversity Awards 2026, and people can vote before 30 June at: www.neurodiverse-community.co.uk

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People interested in joining Cheshire Divergent Community can visit: www.cheshireneurodivergentcommunity.org

People interested in taking part in Different Voices, One Song, a one-day studio recording project for World Mental Health Day, can get in touch via Different Voices, One Song Facebook page.