Aspiration Awards 2025: CACHE Outstanding Achievement highly commended - Luca Filmer

The CACHE Outstanding Achievement award recognises individuals who have made a lasting and meaningful impact in care and education. This year, 17-year-old Luca Filmer has been highly commended for his exceptional contribution to adult social care and his determination to succeed despite significant challenges. 

As a Level 3 Lead Adult Care Worker apprentice with Access Skills Ltd, Luca has already made a real difference at Clark Care Services – not just through the quality of his work, but through the empathy, resilience and commitment he brings to the role. 

Finding a new path through adversity 

Luca’s education journey hasn’t been straightforward. With an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) in place and limited support in mainstream education, he missed much of Year 11 and was left facing an uncertain future. But instead of giving up, Luca used these setbacks as motivation. 

With the support of his mum, his workplace mentor and the team at Access Skills, Luca started an apprenticeship that gave him structure, encouragement and the chance to grow. He quickly found his feet, showing maturity beyond his years and a genuine passion for care. 

A dedicated learner and team member 

Since joining the apprenticeship, Luca has made outstanding progress. He’s developed his skills, built confidence and earned praise from colleagues, tutors and the families of the people he supports. He has formed strong, trusting relationships with individuals experiencing cognitive impairments and played a key role in encouraging social engagement among male service users through shared interests and tailored activities.  

He has also supported his colleagues by improving their digital skills, helping to streamline care documentation. Alongside this, Luca has learned to advocate for both himself and others, becoming a valued and respected role model within his team.  

“Luca has been an amazing addition to our team,” shares his senior manager, Jessica. “The way he connects with individuals based on their interests is outstanding. I’ve seen him grow in confidence and truly excel in engaging patients with dementia.” 

Making a difference beyond the job 

Luca regularly goes the extra mile. He’s taken it upon himself to support food bank access for a vulnerable service user outside of his working hours. On Christmas Eve, he responded to an emergency call to ensure someone was safe and cared for. He also leads meaningful social activities for people with dementia, helping them stay connected and engaged. 

His compassion and sense of responsibility have made a real impact – not only for the people he supports, but for the whole care team around him. 

Looking to the future 

Inspired by his experiences so far, Luca plans to become an Army Combat Medic. His apprenticeship has given him the foundation to work under pressure, support others in difficult situations, and build strong teamwork and leadership skills. 

“Luca has turned challenges into strengths,” says Katherine Oglesby, Apprenticeship Lead at Access Skills. “He shows what’s possible when someone is given the right support and a chance to thrive.” 

A remarkable start to a meaningful career 

Luca’s story is about more than overcoming adversity, it’s about the impact one person can make with the right mindset, the right support and the motivation to help others. His dedication, empathy and potential make him a brilliant example of what the CACHE Outstanding Achievement award is all about. 

Congratulations, Luca. To read more inspiring stories from this year’s winners, visit our Aspiration Awards 2025 page. 

The CACHE Outstanding Achievement award is a special category for 2025 to mark 80 years since the launch of industry qualifications that have gone on to transform the sector and celebrates learners, educators and frontline workers in education, early years and social care who have gone above and beyond to help others, found new and innovative ways of working, or shown incredible dedication to their profession.   

Pictured: Our CACHE Outstanding Achievement highly commended recipient, Luca Filmer