Sense Awards 2025: Family Carer of the Year
Julie Steward
Julie is mum to Sonny, her eight-year-old son who is deaf and has very little vision. With support from Julie and Sense, Sonny is learning to express himself using sign language, picture symbols, and his new iPad – and his confidence is growing every day. Julie is passionate about helping other families like hers, using her experience to raise awareness and vital funds for Sense.
She featured in the charity’s 2024 BBC Lifeline appeal, welcoming TV cameras into her home on Mother’s Day to share her emotional story. She’s given inspiring talks to future major donors and Sense’s London Marathon runners.
At Sense’s 70th anniversary celebration, attended by HRH The Princess Royal, Julie read a letter to her son, honouring Sense’s legacy which began as a letter between the mums who founded the charity. It was incredibly moving.
Descriptive transcript of Juile's video
Julie has long blonde hair, is wearing a black top and is sitting on the sofa in her lounge.
Juile: I’m just taken aback.
A montage of photographs showing Julie with her son Sonny. The images are of Sonny’s early life.
Julie: For Sonny, the first couple of years of life was a bit like a roller coaster.
Julie sitting on her sofa with her partner. Then pictures of Makaton images are shown hanging on the wall.
Julie: People have perceptions of what he won’t do, he can’t do.
Sonny is looking at his book then the camera returns to Julie and her husband sitting on the sofa.
Julie: It’s important to shake those ideas up.
Julie is sitting on the sofa with Sonny and Diane who is wearing a purple Sense shirt. Diane shows Sonny a book with Makaton images saying that his mum is the Sense Family carer of the year.
Diane: Mummy is the Sense Family Carer of the Year!
Sonny jumps up and down excitedly.
Julie: Clap, clap, clap. I know, yes, I know.
Julie is playing with Sonny and Diane talks about Julie’s progress with the audience.
Diane: She’s put so much work in and he’s just blossoming.
Julie and her husband sitting on the sofa.
Julie: He’s a cheeky, adorable, wonderful little boy that makes us smile every day and that’s all we could ever wish for, isn’t it?
It’s a wonderful surprise to win this Sense Award. I think we’re quite humble as family carers – you just get on with what you’re doing because that’s what you do and all you know. But it’s exciting to think someone’s noticed!
It’s extra special to win this Award because Sense means so much to all our family, especially Sonny, our cheeky, adorable little boy who makes us smile every day.
Julie Steward
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