Bradford's Shannon Palmer shortlisted for Yorkshire Blogger Awards

It kind of hit off from there, people liking it as real down to earth, warts and all, trying to get my lacking confidence up after years of bullying.

When Covid started I was working on the front line in dementia care and my blog started to grow as I documented real life, nitty gritty things. Companies volunteered to send weekly treats for myself and my colleagues, also known as Feel Good Friday. I amassed over 20,000 followers in lockdown and it kind of got bigger.

Moving on, I started talking about all things in-between, from food recipes, where is best to go in Yorkshire and just championing all things West Yorkshire. I have helped to champion so many small local businesses and I’m lucky to get all the opportunities that come my way.

Shannon juggles her blogging with working in the care sector (Image: Shannon Palmer)

I like to think I am relatable, that’s why I have people following my everyday life, juggling the care work, doing three 12-hour shifts a week, and championing small businesses on my ever-growing platform. I think it’s important to do this in these trying times, and knowing that my page and blog can do this is amazing. What a dream.

From my blogging I have amassed 52.7k followers now verified. I review productions for Bradford Theatres, I work closely with the BBC, I did the Happy Valley premiere among other projects, I write for HN Yorkshire magazine and I’ve just been signed up for a column in Grapevine magazine and Wibsey Word. I’m a regular on the radio and podcasts and I’m also social media manager at Westgate Arcade in Halifax and Tickles Music Hall in Bradford, and was named in West Yorkshire s most influential women in 2023.

I have just passed my diploma in care, at the side the of everything else I do. I love helping people, it’s an honour to look after people with dementia and in the later stages in their lives and passing.

I have been lucky enough to take some residents blogging with me, I took one lady Mumtaz in Leeds food blogging with my co-workers, as she wanted to come along to see what I did, she really enjoyed herself. I took a few residents dancing to Vintage Tuesdays at Tickles. It’s all about giving person centred care. They really enjoyed themselves.

I love being able to share my blogging experiences with friends and family. I think myself lucky to be going on this crazy ride with people I love. I’m trying to fit everything in as I’m 30 now, so will be thinking about children with my partner Richard in the next few years.

One of my biggest followers is my little step lad, Theo. He loves coming blogging with me, enjoying food and drink and experiences. He’s also keen to help out, taking photographs and coming along for the exciting journey!

Shannon at Piece Hall in Halifax (Image: Shannon Palmer)

I’m a true Bradford lass who grew up in West Bowling with a loving, down to earth family. I had a good upbringing and always got taught to work hard as nothing comes in easy in life. You get what you put in.

This year is the second year I have been shortlisted for Yorkshire Blogger of the Year. I won it in 2022, which was a huge surprise, being up against some massive Yorkshire contenders. What a proud moment, it left me speechless, I really didn’t expect to be shortlisted again this year. I think people relate to me as I’m down to earth. What you see is what you get.

Shannon at one of her radio broadcasts (Image: Shannon Palmer)

I’m very much the type of women who works hard, doing three jobs and just passing TKUK level 2 diploma in care. I continue to work on the frontline in care on end-of-life dementia shifts.

I haven’t had anything handed to me on a plate, I have worked hard for all I have achieved. I get so many messages saying what an inspiration. I don’t really feel inspirational, it’s just me being myself, but I just happen to write about it and it really connects and resonates with so many people of all ages.

I think it’s pretty crazy I could be out shopping in the local Lidl or just in Bradford and people come up to me to talk about my blogs and magazine pieces, saying how lovely it is to see Bradford and Yorkshire on the map through my eyes., asking ‘Omg are you Shazza P?’

I find it peculiar that people want to talk to little old normal me, they ask for recommendations or what I’ve got coming up for them to see and read about. It makes it all so worthwhile knowing it has such an effect on people. Imagine being sat waiting for a train in the Interchange and being stopped and asked for a selfie. It’s like I live double lives!

Over the next few months, I have exciting things coming up. I'm lucky enough to be blogging and reporting at music gigs at the Piece Hall, with big names like George Ezra, Sting and UB40, and I have other local blogging projects.

I’m excited to have the Yorkshire Blogger Awards to look forward to in September. Hopefully I can bring it home for a second year to Bradford!

Shannon with her Yorkshire Blogger award (Image: Shannon Palmer)

This has been quite a sad year, since the loss of my grandad in April. He took a keen interest in my blogging and I think he will be looking down, proudly spurring me on. I would love to win the award and dedicate it to my little Irish grandad, Deckie.

* Follow Shannon on Instagram @thelittlelifeofshazzap