Your Mayor

Nominations for the 2026 awards are now closed.

 

Awards for people who have improved the lives of others

Every year, Mayor’s Awards are given to recognise people, groups and organisations who have:

• gone above and beyond to serve the community
• made a significant difference to the lives of our borough’s residents

Mayor's Awards categories

There are three categories

• Individual Contribution
• Young Achiever
• Voluntary and Community Sector Organisation

If you have any questions about Mayor’s Awards, email [email protected].

Mayor's Awards winners 2025 to 2026

A number of inspirational local people and extraordinary organisations have been recognised with Mayor’s Awards this year. This year’s recipients of Mayor’s Awards are:

Yasmin Aldiyar

Yasmin has made a strong and ongoing contribution to youth participation, civic engagement and community leadership.

She has been recognised for her work by being elected as a Member of Youth Parliament, a London Youth Assembly Member and a Youth Council Member in Kensington and Chelsea. In these roles, she has consistently spoken up for young people in the borough and beyond.

What sets Yasmin apart is her initiative.

Yasmin created the Youth Talks programme to improve PSHE in Kensington and Chelsea schools.

It has reached over 400 young people and aims to make education more relevant, inclusive and supportive of their futures.

Yasmin has also spoken to students in the borough on issues such as mental health and youth violence to gage their opinions, establish support options and ensure that their views matter.

Yasmin works closely with elected representatives, council officers, and local voluntary and community organisations to improve youth participation.

She helps make sure young people are involved and supported to bring about real change in the community.

Yasmin’s work has directly supported young people across the borough.

It has also helped strengthen youth voice and representation in the community.

Mason Corbett

As a volunteer at the Salvation Army Notting Hill Corps, Mason has shown consistent dedication and strong service to the community.

Mason regularly assists faithfully in kitchen work, cleaning, and waiter duties for more than 30 hours a week. He also serves in the charity shop and provides valuable support during Sunday worship services and special events.

Mason’s willingness to step into different roles demonstrates both flexibility and a genuine desire to meet others' needs. Mason is reliable and committed in his work. He is punctual and always aims to provide a good service to local residents, especially older people and those living alone. He communicates with warmth, listens attentively, and willingly takes on additional responsibilities when needed.

Mason shows a strong commitment to supporting his community.

Whether he is helping others, taking part in activities or bringing a positive attitude, he makes a clear difference and encourages those around him.

Ahlam Mohamed

Over four years as a Young K&C Young Ambassador, Ahlam has used her lived experience, strong advocacy and commitment to community to support young people.
She has championed the needs of young people, especially those from Global Majority and Muslim backgrounds, making sure their voices are heard in decision-making. She has also helped shape local services and grant funding so grassroots organisations can better support young residents. Ahlam has also supported the growth of the Young Ambassadors programme.

She has done this by mentoring and supporting young people who are new to the programme.

Ahlam has led meaningful change through initiatives such as GyalDemKicks.
This is a free football programme she created to remove financial, social and cultural barriers for girls. It has helped over 20 young women build confidence, improve their wellbeing and feel part of a community.

She is positive, resilient and reliable. Even when injured, she continued to volunteer.

She is a trusted role model across youth clubs, community groups and the RBKC Youth Council.

Charles Penney

Charles Penney has supported the Cherry Trees Residents’ Amenities Association (CTRAA) for nearly 20 years, including 15 years as Chair, and continues to serve on the committee.

His warm and inclusive leadership has helped build a strong sense of community among more than 300 residents, through events such as garden parties, cultural talks and seasonal gatherings.

Charles has helped build a strong sense of community, where neighbours know and support each other. Charles also supported residents through challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic, while balancing a full-time job.

Through his proactive leadership, he has secured sponsorship for the association, helping to make events accessible to all residents.

Charles has consistently spoken up for the area and its preservation.

He has helped make sure it is well maintained and remains an attractive place to live.

Nelio Rodrigues

Nelio has made a long-standing contribution to the local community through his work with voluntary and community organisations.

He has consistently gone above and beyond to support children and young people through dedicated, grassroots community work.

Nelio volunteers with Fit For Life Youth (FFLY), leading weekly core and mobility sessions at their community gym for local residents. Nelio has used his expertise to support children with SEND by delivering sessions for FFLY holiday activity projects.

Nelio has been a positive role model and mentor for countless young people in RBKC over the years. Nelio has maintained contact with them and their families throughout their journey from adolescence to adulthood. This ongoing support has helped young people stay connected to positive role models, build stability and make healthier choices in their lives.

This kind of long-term commitment is rare and demonstrates a deep personal investment in the borough’s young residents.

In the words of one of Nelio’s mentees: “Nelio is an amazing character, always supportive, always pushing others to achieve their goals. I am more than grateful to have Nelio in my life and he more than deserves this award.”

Simone Stephen

Simone is Chair of the Warwick Road Estate Residents’ Association and leads the Warwick Road Estate Community Hub.
Through this work, she has helped bring the community together, supported residents to have their say, and pushed for improvements that benefit everyone.

Inspired by her experience as a teacher and counsellor, Simone has run a homework club for children on the estate for several years.

She has also expanded this support to include a homework club at the World’s End Estate in Chelsea.

Simone also set up Empathic Educators CIC to support children with social, emotional and behavioural needs.

The service offers support for children with SEND, including sensory activities.

Simone has also provided counselling to adults who are in need of support.

Simone also helped to set up the Handicraft Group for residents on the Warwick Road Estate, which has also been opened up to children, and has been very well received. Simone has also organised outings for residents, including a trip to the seaside and a Lavender Farm. This further demonstrates Simone’s commitment to strengthening community bonds and bringing different generations together to socialise. Simone has been an outstanding pillar of the Warwick Road Estate community, dedicating her time, energy, and expertise to initiatives that have made a tangible difference in the lives of local residents.

An-Nisa Community Empowerment CIC

Since 2013, An-Nisa Community Empowerment CIC have been dedicated to empowering women, children and families in disadvantaged communities through education, social inclusion and collaboration.

An‑Nisa has gone above and beyond to support families.

The team has given many extra unpaid hours, including evenings and weekends, to make sure they are there when families need help.

An‑Nisa supports parents by bringing people together in informal settings such as events and coffee mornings.

They also run activities including cooking, sewing, gardening and parenting classes. This service provides education, skills support, advice and non-judgemental help for parents.

It also supports parents who are worried about young people at risk of serious youth violence.

The organisation also plays a vital role in empowering mothers. They provide informal advice, guidance and targeted employment workshops to support women.

This helps women who may face isolation, language barriers or limited access to job opportunities.

An-Nisa’s supplementary school supports approximately 40–50 young people aged 5–16 with their education, confidence, and personal development. This support goes beyond academic learning and includes structured activities such as boxing sessions, mental health and wellbeing workshops, and safe social spaces.
These activities help young people build resilience, develop discipline and form positive relationships with others. During school holidays, they offer longer and more meaningful activities.

This extra support helps families at a time when access to affordable services can be limited.

An-Nisa are a true embodiment of the word “community”. Their work has transformed lives quietly but profoundly.

The ClementJames Centre

The Clement James Centre has supported the North Kensington community for over 40 years.

Each year, it provides vital services to more than 2,500 local young people and adults.

ClementJames has been a lifeline for local residents, offering support with education, training, family services and wellbeing.

It also helps bring people together and strengthens the local community.

ClementJames helps people of all ages to build confidence, resilience, and independence. Their programmes help people overcome barriers, build confidence in daily life, and take positive steps forward.

The impact is visible not just in outcomes, but in the way people engage, participate, and grow.

On the night of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, ClementJames opened up as a respite centre for those displaced from their homes, well placed to offer guidance and support given its long history within the community. Before, during and after the fire, the centre has been a place of care, support and belonging for the local community.

It runs its own high-quality services and has an open-door approach, helping people find support from partner organisations when they need it.

Staff are trained to be empathetic, engaging and collaborative to ensure the best outcomes for all who utilise the centre, with a number of them being employed from the immediate community. Their work is deeply rooted in the local community, and they are trusted by those they support because of the consistent, practical, and compassionate way they show up for people.

Contact us

If you have any questions about Mayor’s Awards, contact the Mayor’s Office at [email protected].