A DEDICATED young student who has cared for her disabled relatives since she was just seven years old has been honoured by Coventry’s Lord Mayor.
Sharandeep Sahota, 21, a third-year law student at Coventry University, has been presented with a Good Citizen Award by Coun Mal Mutton for her selfless voluntary work helping others and the support she has given to the community.
She becomes one of the award’s youngest ever recipients.
Since the age of seven Sharan has been a carer for her disabled relatives, assisting daily with their care, health and wellbeing.
On top of these responsibilities, Sharan has actively engaged in voluntary work, including at the International Children’s Games, teaching at the Streetlaw Project, campaigning about knife crime, creating packages to help the homeless and fundraising with the National Citizen Service.
She has previously worked to inspire other young volunteers as a speaker at the Birmingham Youth Summit in 2022, and in 2023 was named the Duke of Edinburgh Awards’ Change Maker of the Year – as well as being nominated for a Coronation Champions Award.
And, as a founder of the Young Carers’ Council at the Carers Trust, Sharan has helped bring about significant change by successfully persuading UCAS to recognise the role of young carers in its application process.
She also has had a special mention for being a young carer, volunteering and creating packages for the homeless in the Carer’s Trust’s ‘Who Cares Wins Young Hero’ category.
At Coventry University Sharan, who is president of the university’s Law Society, has organised a number of extra-curricular activities for students, including competitions and the Law Society Awards.
Sharan thanked all the organisations she works with for nominating her for the award.
She added: “It’s great to be recognised in Coventry for the work I’ve done to help my community and to know that it is making a difference.
“I am proud to achieve this award early in my lifetime and I hope it inspire other young people to get involved in their community and support others.
I am glad I am making an active difference to support carers and I hope to see more young people make a difference to their community by working with organisations to achieve a shared goal.
“I hope this award inspire young people as I would love to see more young people initiating their own social actions projects to support their communities and solve issues.
“I’ve lived in this city all my life and if this award can inspire others, particularly other young Sikh girls like me to go out and get involved in voluntary work, then it would be fantastic.
“It not only helps the community but it also improves your communication and sense of humility and empathy.
“In Sikhism we have something called Seva, which means selfless service. It’s something that’s always been a big part of my life growing up.
“I am proud to represent Sikhs when receiving this award and hope to encourage other minorities to achieve awards like this.”
Coun Mutton said: “We have so many wonderful young carers in the city who look after loved ones and I am delighted that Sharandeep has been named a Good Citizen.
“To think that she has also found the time in her young and busy life to volunteer to help Coventry host the International Children’s Games and support the work to combat knife crime is truly inspiring.
“Congratulations to her, and many thanks on behalf of the city of Coventry.”
Visit www.coventry.gov.uk/GoodCitizen to nominate someone for a Good Citizen Award in Coventry.
