Sandbach resident, Sheila Manzano, has been nominated for a national award recognising her work supporting the neurodivergent community and raising awareness of hidden disability.

Sheila has been nominated in the Positive Role Model Award for Disability category at the National Diversity Awards 2026, held in association with HSBC UK.

The awards celebrate individuals and organisations across the UK who are helping to create a more inclusive society. This year's winners will be announced at a ceremony at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on Friday 18 September 2026.

Sheila has been recognised for using her lived experience of hidden disability to help others feel 'seen, heard and less alone'.

She is the creator of Wired Differently, The Neurodiverse Hour, a volunteer-led radio show on The Cat Radio 107.9FM, which opens up honest conversations about neurodivergence and the everyday reality of living with a hidden disability and which Sandbach Nub News covered here .

Sheila is also an ambassador and founding committee member of Cheshire Neurodivergent Community and produces Wired and Wonderful, a newsletter designed to keep neurodivergent people and families connected, reassured and informed.

She mentors a care-experienced young person with autism and is launching Different Voices. One Song, a neurodivergent choir running from May to August 2026, with the aim of recording and releasing one song for Global Mental Health Day.

Sheila has also soft launched Fair Hiring Network, a people-led initiative aiming to reform recruitment from advert to offer and challenge unfair hiring processes, with an official launch planned for August 2026.

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Speaking about the nomination, Sheila said: "This nomination is not just about me. It is for everyone who has ever felt different, difficult, misunderstood, invisible or too much. Hidden disability is often carried quietly, and if this recognition helps even a few more people feel seen, valued or understood, that would mean everything.

"Around one in seven people may be neurodivergent, so this is not a niche conversation. It is likely that someone at every table, in every workplace, every classroom and every family will know what it feels like to think, feel or process the world differently.

"I would be so grateful if people in S"andbach, Cheshire and beyond could take less than a minute to vote. If you are neurodivergent, know someone who is, support someone who is, or simply care about hidden disabilities being better understood, your vote really matters."

The National Diversity Awards judging process includes public votes as well as judges' consideration of the nominee's work, evidence and impact.

Voting is open until Wednesday 13 May 2026 at 4pm.

People can vote for Sheila Manzano in the Positive Role Model Award for Disability category via the National Diversity Awards website.

Vote here: https://bit.ly/4niy5uu

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Hashtag: #NDA26

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