Lisburn mum award nomination recognises her work leading change for disabled young people in Northern Ireland
Lisburn parent carer Alma White has been named a finalist in the Contact Family Awards 2025, recognising her outstanding grassroots advocacy for disabled young people and their families in Northern Ireland.
Alma has been shortlisted in the Parent Changemaker category of Contact’s Awards after being nominated by her friend Jaclyn, who wanted to honour Alma’s tireless campaign work through Caleb’s Cause NI - a movement fighting for the rights of disabled young people to education and support beyond the age of 19.
She is one of 18 finalists who will attend a celebratory awards event at the House of Lords in London later this month.
Jaclyn said: “With no legal entitlement to education or support beyond 19, families face a cliff edge in care, but Alma is changing that.
"While caring full-time for her son, she has mobilised thousands, engaged politicians, spoken at TEDx Stormont, and become a powerful voice for reform.
"Her work exemplifies the spirit of the Parent Changemaker Award: community-led, courageous, and profoundly effective.
“Alma has created momentum for change that cannot be ignored. Compassionate, strategic, and relentless, Alma is not just raising awareness she’s leading real change. Her work deserves national recognition.”
The Contact Awards, organised by the national charity Contact, celebrate the remarkable and often unseen contributions of families caring for disabled children across the UK.
The Parent Changemaker award recognises those who go beyond their own family to create lasting, positive change for others in their community.
Anna Bird, CEO of Contact, said: “At Contact, we often hear from families when they’re struggling to get support for their child - and that’s what we’re here for. But it’s equally important to recognise the incredible things that families like Alma’s are achieving, and the powerful change they’re creating.
“I was deeply moved to learn about Alma’s tireless work to ensure the voices of young disabled people and their families in Northern Ireland are heard. Behind every nomination is a story of quiet strength and everyday heroism — and we’re so proud to shine a spotlight on that. With so many inspiring nominations this year, our judges have an incredibly difficult task to choose the winners.”