Mayor's Awards

All Saints Foodbank

All Saints Foodbank has been recognised with a Mayor’s Award in the category of Local Community Organisation for their work establishing and growing their food stall during the Coronavirus Pandemic. Thanks to donations from local people and businesses alike, the food stall now supports approximately 50 households per week while also distributing food parcels to those who are housebound. The Foodbank is organised for local people, by local volunteers and has been a vital support to the community throughout the pandemic.

Angela Spence

Angela Spence has been recognised with a Mayor’s Award in the category of Individual Contribution for her work with Kensington and Chelsea Social Council (KCSC) and the Westway Trust. In her role as interim Chair of the Westway Trust, Angela’s leadership helped to unify the Trust’s various stakeholders and guide the organisation to becoming more mindful of the changes that needed to take place at the Trust. As Chief Executive of KCSC, Angela has worked tirelessly to support the charitable sector in Kensington and Chelsea, to help sustain vital local services that serve the needs of the borough’s diverse community as well as championing those organisations who supported the community following the Grenfell tragedy.

Azkar Ali Shah

Azkar Ali Shah has been recognised with a Mayor’s Award in the category of Individual Contribution for his work as Chair of Cremorne Residents’ Association (RA). As Chair of the RA, Ali has partnered with the Council to oversee improvements to the Estate, resolved antisocial behaviour issues, created a lasting memorial in honour of a member of the local community, held social barbecues for residents, organised Christmas lights and raised money for charity. Over his tenure, Ali has brought residents together and created a deep sense of community spirit on the Cremorne Estate.

Chelsea Community Hospital School (CCHS)

CCHS has been recognised with a Mayor’s Award in the category of Local Community Organisation for their work supporting the educational, emotional and mental well-being of chronically and terminally ill children in the borough. CCHS is operational across seven hospital sites and within the community itself. The school also offers a programme of extra-curricular activities to their pupils throughout the holidays. During the Coronavirus pandemic, and to ensure the safety of its pupils, the school relocated on two separate occasions while simultaneously offering online tuition. Over their decades of work and commitment, the CCHS has transformed the lives of pupils and families alike.

Fatima Mourad, BSc

Fatima Mourad has been recognised with a Mayor’s Award in the category of Coronavirus Response for her work ensuring Al-Hasaniya Moroccan Women’s Project – for which she is the current Chair, having served on its committee since 1995 – continues to support the local community throughout the Coronavirus pandemic. Fatima has mobilised volunteers and co-ordinated action plans to offer an array of support services to those most in need in the community, including those who are isolated and experiencing domestic violence.

Gloria Gardner

Gloria Gardner has been recognised with a Mayor’s Award in the category of Individual Contribution for her work with Glass Door Homeless Charity and Under One Sky. Gloria has volunteered as a cook at the Glass Door night shelter in Chelsea for many years, co-ordinating logistics to ensure good produce from local supermarkets does not go to waste and served three-course Christmas dinners to Glass Door’s guests. Last March, Gloria was involved in launching Glass Door and Under One Sky’s Covid-19 Emergency Food Initiative which helped people experiencing homelessness during lockdown, a challenge she rose to with dedication and compassion.

Kensington + Chelsea Foundation

The Kensington + Chelsea Foundation has been recognised with a Mayor’s Award in the category of Local Community Organisation for its work supporting local organisations and community schemes benefitting residents across the borough. The Foundation’s vision is that all residents should have the opportunity to live healthy, happy and fulfilled lives. Their borough-wide work to fundraise for, develop projects with, and raise the profiles of local charities has positively impacted communities across Kensington and Chelsea for over 12 years, including in the aftermath of the Grenfell tragedy and through the Coronavirus pandemic.

Latimer Community Art Therapy (LCAT)

LCAT has been recognised with a Mayor’s Award in the category of Local Community Organisation for their work supporting the mental health and wellbeing of North Kensington residents. LCAT’s team of over 20 therapists offers group work and individual therapy to children and adults, working both in schools and the wider community. LCAT was set up in response to the trauma and distress of the local community following the Grenfell tragedy, and since then has continued to support residents, most recently moving its services online to account for lockdown restrictions during the Coronavirus pandemic. 

Major James Williams

Major James Williams has been recognised with a Mayor’s Award in the category of Coronavirus Response for his work supporting local people around the World’s End Estate. Over the past year, Major Williams has cooked and delivered hot meals to local residents, ensuring they had access to necessary healthcare, whilst working with the local Over 50’s club to provide an alternative programme of events. He has also expanded the area’s Salvation Army foodbank and second-hand shop, ensuring local residents could access food and other important supplies.

Mandy Ala

Mandy Ala has been recognised with a Mayor’s Award in the category of Individual Contribution for her work as Grants Manager at Campden Charities. In the 15 years Mandy has worked in this role, she has overseen the awarding of millions of pounds worth of grants to hundreds of Kensington residents experiencing financial need. Mandy played a leading role in Campden Charities’ response to the Grenfell tragedy, and has since established a programme for young people to better their financial futures in addition to developing a grants programme to support families throughout the Coronavirus pandemic. Mandy is well-known across the borough for her tireless dedication to supporting those in need.

Martyn Baker

Martyn Baker has been recognised with a Mayor’s Award in the category of Individual Contribution for his work on behalf of residents of Lots Village, Chelsea. Martyn serves on the Committee of the Lots Village Chelsea Association and the Planning Committee of the Chelsea Society. In these roles, he has worked tirelessly to protect and foster the amenities of Chelsea Riverside, and to minimise the negative impacts of large developments on the health, safety and environmental wellbeing of the local community. Martyn is well known for his in-depth knowledge of local issues, forensic attention to detail and commitment when it comes to ensuring that local residents are consulted and their interests represented.

Master John Webster

Master John Webster has been recognised with a Mayor’s Award in the category of Individual Contribution for his work teaching Taekwondo at the Curve Community Centre. Each week, over 100 children and young people from North Kensington take part in Master Webster’s Taekwondo classes. Under Master Webster’s tutelage, the Curve Taekwondo team have progressed to winning national and international competitions. When Coronavirus restrictions were introduced in 2020, Master Webster moved his Taekwondo lessons online and since then he has delivered a total of 1200 Zoom classes. Master Webster’s Taekwondo classes have significantly benefitted the physical and mental wellbeing of his students, both prior to and during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Midaye Somali Development Network

Midaye has been recognised with a Mayor’s Award in the category of Local Community Organisation for their work providing specialist services to the borough’s East African community and other ethnic minorities. This includes the delivery of a Female Genital Mutilation clinic run jointly with midwives and social workers, as well as working with the Council to develop parental networks aimed at empowering the community and combatting youth violence. Throughout the pandemic Midaye has continued to provide help for parents and families whilst amplifying the voices of those they support.

Minna Korjonen

Minna Korjonen has been recognised with a Mayor’s Award in the category of Individual Contribution for her work championing the voices and interests of disabled and other vulnerable people in the borough. Minna is an elected and co-opted representative for disabled and vulnerable people in various organisations within health and social care, MET policing and social housing. Minna is also a member of RBKC Disabled Forum, RBKC Police Independent Advisory Group and Housing Policy Task Groups in which roles she gives advice to the Council and the Police on matters relating to disabled and vulnerable people. Despite being physically disabled herself, Minna has continued to help members of the community throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, supporting them to access food, services and information. She has campaigned on behalf of disabled people for many years and has become a trusted local leader in the community. 

Mutual Aid, Kensington and Chelsea

Mutual Aid, Kensington and Chelsea has been recognised with a Mayor’s Award in the category of Coronavirus Response for their work supporting residents through the pandemic. Mutual Aid K&C has over 1000 volunteers, comprising individual neighbours and community groups, who provided local people with shopping & medication, a foodbank, online advice hub, lunches and support for local refugees. Additionally, the Network worked with organisations across the borough, including NHS services, to provide immediate emergency support. The collective has stepped up to meet the myriad of challenges the pandemic presented with energy and dedication, and their work has supported countless RBKC residents contributing to a system of solidarity between locals.

Pam Bardouille

Pam Bardouille has been recognised with a Mayor’s Award in the category of Coronavirus Response for her work developing the Dalgarno foodbank which has fed up to 160 people a week throughout the pandemic. Pam worked closely with local businesses who were donating food and thereafter co-ordinated a network of volunteers, voluntary organisations and the Council to ensure that this food was distributed to local people. Pam also helped those visiting the foodbank by signposting them to further support. Throughout the pandemic she has shown dedication to her local community and an empathy for those she has supported. 

The Pepper Pot Centre

The Pepper Pot Centre has been recognised with a Mayor’s Award in the category of Local Community Organisation for their work supporting older members of the borough’s diverse African Caribbean community. Since it was established 40 years ago, the Centre has offered support and advocacy to its members. In the last year they have adapted their services to include delivering meals and household supplies whilst moving their services and activities to online platforms which has allowed their members to stay connected throughout lockdown.

Tarik Kaidi and Minds United FC

Tarik Kaidi and Minds United FC have been jointly recognised with Mayor’s Awards in the categories of Individual Contribution and Local Community Organisation respectively. Tarik founded Minds United FC to support the mental health and wellbeing of local residents. Tarik is a collaborative worker, reaching out to both voluntary and statutory partners to widen the impact of his work. Minds United FC offers a range of sports and activities in addition to football, and also supports members to achieve coaching qualifications. Since it was founded in 2019, Minds United FC has grown rapidly. It achieved its Charter Standard Accreditation in March 2020 and currently has 3 teams entered in the North West London Mental Health Football League. By creating a safe, inclusive and supportive environment, Minds United FC has made great strides when it comes to tackling the stigma and taboo surrounding mental health discussions.

Tim Sai Louie

Tim Sai Louie has been recognised with a Mayor’s Award in the category of Coronavirus Response for his voluntary work with Age UK Kensington and Chelsea and the Westway Community Transport. Tim helped older people to access information and advice, secured a number of large donations to local charities, and drove residents to their medical appointments and to do their shopping. Additionally, Tim has delivered food, activity packs and Christmas hampers across the borough, not only ensuring residents were provided with vital supplies but also with a friendly face during what was an isolating time for many.