A WRITER, performer, and radio presenter from Newton Abbot who helps create opportunities for disabled artists has won national recognition at the Dimensions Leaders’ Awards 2026.

Michael ‘Spike’ Brooks picked up the top award in the Sports, Arts and Entertainment category for his contribution to performance, broadcasting, writing, and disability advocacy earlier this month

Winners were announced at the Leaders’ Awards ceremony in Bristol on October 20. Organised by Dimensions, the UK’s largest not-for-profit support provider for adults with learning disabilities and autistic people, the awards celebrate people making a positive difference in society.

Spike’s Leaders’ Awards win recognises a contribution that reaches from his home town of Newton Abbot across Plymouth’s theatre, radio, and disabled-led arts scene.

On winning the award, Spike said: “It did come as a surprise, to be honest. I didn’t expect to win an award, that’s for sure.

“But I am grateful to Dimensions for the award. I want to say thank you to Laura Cantliff, Sara Rhodes, Lauren Flook, Clair Sargeant and countless others who were there at the beginning.”

Spike and has spent more than ten years helping to organise and host events through the Theatre Royal Plymouth’s Funky Llama project, from club nights to festivals.

His humour, face-painted stage persona, and general enthusiasm for bringing people together have made him a familiar presence in Plymouth’s arts scene.

Through performing, broadcasting, and supporting other disabled artists, he has helped create spaces where people feel welcome, heard, and able to take part. His involvement has grown from joining Funky Llama’s steering group to performing, hosting, organising, and helping others to find their place in the creative community.

Back in 2023, Spike wrote and performed his one-man show, Stuck on Chapter One: An Autistic Writer’s Rant, at Theatre Royal Plymouth’s The Lab.

The show explores the experience of an autistic writer trying to capture an epic fantasy world on paper. Blending humour, imagination, and frustration, it gives audiences an insight into neurodivergent creativity and the challenge of turning vivid ideas into finished work.

The production has also since developed beyond the stage, with an audio version available across podcast platforms.

Spike is also a voice in Plymouth’s independent radio scene. As a presenter on Omnium Radio, he has hosted specialist shows exploring everything fro autism, writing and music to superhero franchises, pop culture, and alternate realities.

And alongside broadcasting and performance, he is developing creative worlds, characters, and a multimedia franchise based on his original writing.

His work draws on fantasy, genre storytelling, and lived experience, bringing his interests to audiences through different creative formats.

Spike has also worked with Extraordinary Bodies and Diverse City through artist support networks, developing performance work rooted in lived experience and disability.

Alongside his own creative work, he also supports other disabled artists, helping build confidence, visibility, and opportunities across the creative community.