A Birmingham mother who transformed personal tragedy into a lifeline for others has been shortlisted for an Outstanding Citizen Award by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner.
Laura Mace, whose teenage son was robbed at knife point by balaclava-clad attackers on his way home from school, refused to let her family’s trauma end in silence. Discovering the lack of support available for young victims and their families, she founded The Alive Wellness CIC Centre, a community hub offering counselling, personal training, and football sessions to help rebuild lives devastated by violence.
Laura works closely with schools, leading assemblies and classroom sessions to raise awareness of the dangers of knife crime. She also supports children and young adults under 25 through activities that provide a safe space, strengthen friendships, and most importantly, prevent retaliation or fear-driven decisions to carry weapons.
Her holistic approach recognises that knife crime harms not only individuals but entire families. By offering counselling and practical support, Laura ensures victims are not left to face their trauma alone.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster praised her work, saying: “Laura has shown extraordinary courage and commitment in the face of unimaginable personal pain. Her work through The Alive Wellness CIC is changing lives, breaking cycles of violence, and giving young people hope for a safer future. She is an inspiration to us all.”
Laura has been shortlisted in the category of Outstanding Contribution to Tackling Knife Crime in Communities at the Outstanding Citizen Awards, taking place on Monday, October 6 at the Brasshouse Community Centre in Smethwick.
Also shortlisted in the same category is Nikita Kanda, whose tireless campaigning in memory of her brother Ronan led to the introduction of Ronan’s Law. The landmark legislation, which came into effect on 1 August 2025, has seen the ban of ninja swords from UK streets and tighter controls for online access to dangerous weapons.
Nikita and her mother, Pooja Kanda, have become a powerful national voice for change, spearheading a change in the law and leading and delivering community campaigning, awareness and education action across schools and the media.
Together, Laura and Nikita represent two different, but equally powerful responses to the devastation of knife crime: one building healing and resilience at the grassroots level, the other driving national reform. Both women stand as testaments, to the impact and strength of individuals, determined to deliver change and protect future generations.
Back to News Archive