Torquay resident shortlisted for UK-wide ‘What is Care?’ photography award - PUBLIC VOTE OPEN
A powerful photograph taken by Natalie Russell, an emergency services professional from Torquay in Devon, has been shortlisted in a UK-wide competition by leading home care provider Caremark, as part of its ‘What is Care?’ photography competition.
Launched to mark 20 years of Caremark championing home care in communities, the competition asked the public to capture what care means to them in everyday life, from small gestures to big moments. Out of hundreds of entries, one finalist was chosen from each of the UK’s 12 regions, following a rigorous judging process carried out by Caremark’s head office.
Natalie is representing the South West with a photograph capturing a moment between her and her baby son. The image is now part of a nationwide public vote on social media to determine the overall winner of the competition. The photographer of the winning entry will receive a £1,000 luxury getaway.
Natalie said:
“The photo was taken by my husband when our son Charlie was about three or four months old. Charlie had been fretting and just needed a cuddle — I rocked him and he drifted off to sleep on my shoulder. I was completely lost in the moment.
“There’s so much love, care and protection in that image. It shows my baby son, completely vulnerable and dependent, safe in the arms of his mum, who would give him everything he needs — physically and emotionally — without question.
“Care, to me, is about meeting the needs of another person with love, empathy and courage. It’s about empowering and nurturing someone to live the best life they can. This picture is a precious memory of that type of care. It captures all the emotion of that time and brings those feelings back in a rush every time I look at it.
“If I won, I’d love to take my husband and our two children to St Ives for an autumn break. We went a few years ago and had the most amazing time — it would mean a lot to go back and make more memories together.”
Voting is open to the public via Caremark’s Facebook page and will close at 9am on 29th September 2025. The entry with the highest number of public votes will be announced as the winner shortly after voting closes.
Emma Scholes, Caremark’s Director of Marketing, said: “We’ve been genuinely moved by the creativity and thoughtfulness behind so many of the entries. With such an incredible standard from across the country, narrowing it down to just 12 finalists was tough because each photograph carried a personal story, so judging them was emotionally challenging. We felt that Natalie’s photograph stood out as a powerful reflection of what care can mean.
“This competition marks 20 years of Caremark championing care in communities across the UK. It’s about shining a light on what care looks like in everyday life, from small gestures to life-changing support, and how differently people experience and express it. Each finalist has brought a unique perspective, and it’s been inspiring to see care interpreted so personally through their lens.
“We’re excited to now share these images with the public, celebrate the value of care in all its forms, and see who the UK public chooses as their overall winner!” For more information about the competition and to view the finalists’ photographs, visit: www.caremark.co.uk/whatiscare
