Published: Friday 28 March 2025
Fifteen winners of Mayor's Awards were announced on Thursday 27 March 2025 in a ceremony hosted by the Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea, Cllr Will Lane. The recipients were put forward by members of the community and chosen by a judging panel to receive an award due to their extraordinary commitment to improving the lives of those who live, work, study and visit the borough.
During the ceremony, winners were presented with their special Mayor’s Awards certificates in recognition of their extraordinary contribution to local life in Kensington and Chelsea.
As well as being hosted by the youngest ever Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea, this year marked a record number of winners in the Young Achiever category. Among this category, winners include advocating for the needs of young people with special educational needs and supporting those experiencing hardship.
The full list of winners can be found here.
Councillor Will Lane, Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea, said:
“It was a privilege to celebrate the 2025 Mayor’s Awards winners for their commitment, passion, and selflessness, helping those in their communities by putting others first. These exceptional people and organisations enrich the lives of everyone who lives, works, studies, or visits our borough, Kensington and Chelsea.
"I was 29 years old when elected as the youngest ever Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea, so I found particular joy in reviewing the nominations for the Young Achiever category. I am also thrilled to share we had a record number of honourees in this group this year, proof that the future of our borough is a bright one.”
Rohan Mehta, founder of voluntary initiative 'In the Bag' was awarded the Young Achiever's award for helping those suffering hardship in the borough said :
"I feel so honoured to be nominated let alone win, I'm really grateful for the opportunity. I live in the borough and ever since I was small, I've been really affected by the issue of homelessness. I created charity kits to give to the homeless and I've donated more than 100 kits to different churches and organisations in the area.
"I think it's really important to try and do your part especially if you have the means. I think you'll find a lot of support if you reach out, there's a great network here in RBKC."
Carolyn Arnold, Chair of Clarendon Cross Residents Association who selflessly dedicates a considerable amount of time and effort to resolve issues for the betterment of the local community said:
"I'm rather delighted, it was a very nice surprise. I love what I do in the community and I've been doing it for many years and it's great to work with so many amazing people, so to get an award for doing something you enjoy with lovely people is rather special."
Alex Coackley, Head of advice and guidance at Nova New Opportunities said :
"It is lovely to be recognised for the work that the organisation is doing and particularly in a much-needed area on the Lancaster West Estate helping clients faced with difficult times by the cost-of-living crisis and working in a cohesive and connected team.
"I've loved coming to the ceremony particularly seeing those individual awards. I think it's fantastic to see grassroots work going on, particularly people who are doing it essentially by themselves using their own sort of get up and go and it's just great to celebrate that."