She trained, as a teenager, to become a professional hair and make-up artist, with the dream of becoming an actress.
But now Tasleen Carstairs uses her skills to change the lives of seriously ill people and others struggling for confidence, who feel invisible.
Young children blighted by disease are invited to take part in her Memory Making Days – dressing up in extravagant clothing, being made up like princes and princesses before recording a music video.
Through her charity Forward Facing she also helps people who are disfigured and manage scars or burns through camouflage therapy as well as women with cancer or ill health, to give them their dignity back.
She said: “A lot of people become agoraphobic and need some help.
“They can feel isolated and invisible.
It’s about celebrating their lives and making them feel worthwhile.
“I think that’s really important and gives people their confidence back.”
First she set up as a social enterprise nine years ago, and then a charity.
'Make a difference'
This week’s Local Hero award winner from Brighton said: “I just want to try and make a difference.
“We work with some of the most vulnerable groups in the community.
“Some of the children we work with are so poorly and don’t have many opportunities to do fun things, and the parents are pretty isolated as well.
“It’s about trying to do something for all of them. We really do see a transformation.
"And I think by showing someone that you believe in them, it helps them to start believing in themselves.
“I do believe that once you have confidence you can take on any challenges.”
Taking Memory Making days for the first time this year, on July 20 the children will walk down the red carpet in Brighton and celebrate their own Oscars-style ceremony for the first time.
Speaking of winning the Local Hero award Tasleen added: “I feel incredibly humbled and really touched.
“What I love about Brighton is as a community people do get involved and make things happen.
“There are so many people that are amazing, so I don’t see it as just me, it’s a team achievement.”
She added: “I feel so passionate about what I do, I love it. It’s a dream job.”
Hundreds of heroes go almost unnoticed in our local communities.
But The Argus is determined to give them the recognition they thoroughly deserve.
We have teamed up with housing repair and maintenance company Mears to launch our weekly Local Heroes Award.
We are inviting readers to nominate their candidates and tell us why they have put them forward.
Contact Kimberly Middleton on 01273 544519 or email kimberly.middleton@ theargus.co.uk.
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