Published: Tuesday 17 March 2026
The spirit of civic pride and community service was on full display last night (Monday 16 March) as the Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea, Councillor Tom Bennett, celebrated the winners of the 2026 Mayor’s Awards.
During a ceremony at Kensington Town Hall, the Mayor presented eight winners across three categories – voluntary and community sector organisation, young achiever and individual contribution – with certificates in recognition of their outstanding contribution to local life in the borough.
This year’s winners include volunteers running initiatives to improve residents’ health and wellbeing; inspirational young people showing incredible leadership to support their peers; and groups promoting community development through education, support services and inclusive events.
The Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea, Councillor Tom Bennett, said:
“The Mayor’s Awards is one my favourite evenings in the civic calendar because it gives us a chance to celebrate the people who make our borough tick.
“What makes these awards especially meaningful is that every nomination comes from within the borough itself – from friends, colleagues, service users and neighbours who have seen first-hand the difference these individuals and organisations make.
“To our winners, your families, friends and supporters and to everyone who took the time to nominate them, thank you for reminding us what community spirit truly looks like in Kensington and Chelsea.”
Yasmin Aldiyar received a young achiever Mayor’s Award for setting up the Youth Talks programme, which aims to make education more relevant and inclusive and has reached more than 400 young people in the borough. She said:
“I’m delighted with my win and it was amazing to meet lots of other achievers and winners.
“I'm really working hard to keep building that bridge between the policymakers and young people, and my goal is to have all young people have a voice and have a say in this new generation.”
Mason Corbett won his young achiever Mayor’s Award for his volunteering with the Salvation Army’s Notting Hill Corps. He said:
“I was a bit nervous at first, but then I started to come out of my shell. I started making drinks, I loved doing washing up, and then I loved the kitchen – that's my favourite.
“I chose to volunteer because of my nan. She volunteered and it moved me. I wanted to try and see what it was like, and now I'm doing all this stuff. The Salvation Army’s helped me come out of my struggles in life, and now I flourish as the person that I am today.”
Charles Penney was nominated for his individual contribution award by fellow members of the Cherry Trees Residents’ Amenities Association. Charles has served the group for nearly 20 years, including 15 as chairman, fostering a strong sense of community among the association’s 300-plus residents. He said:
“I was very chuffed to be nominated – it came as the most wonderful surprise.
“We worked very hard on trying to foster a sense of community, getting all our neighbours to meet each other. It’s not always easy – there are a lot of people in London, it can be quite a lonely place, so we do whatever we can to make everybody feel part of it.
“It’s something I've just been really pleased to be able to do, to give something back to this lovely community that we live in.”
Full list of winner and details can be found here.