Published: Wednesday 22 October 2025
It's time to shine a light on the amazing people who make Kensington and Chelsea a fantastic place! Nominations are now open for the Mayor's Awards.
This is your chance to celebrate the achievements of individuals, groups and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to life in Kensington and Chelsea. This could be residents running initiatives to improve mental and physical wellbeing, those serving on community forums to strengthen community safety as well as champions of culture and heritage in the borough.
Make a nomination via the Council’s website, in the following three categories:
- Individual Contribution
- Young Achiever
- Voluntary and Community Sector Organisation
Nominations will close at 5pm on Monday 19 January 2026.
The Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea, Cllr Tom Bennett, said:
"Over the last few months, I’ve had the immense privilege of serving as Mayor. In that role, I've been fortunate to meet so many inspiring individuals and to see first-hand the incredible work of various organisations and groups operating across Kensington and Chelsea.
"We are very lucky in this borough to be surrounded by hard-working and selfless people and organisations that go above and beyond to contribute to their communities. Now, it's our chance to shine a well-deserved light on their efforts.
"It is my honour to host the Mayor’s Awards for 2026. There are three equally important categories in which you can make a nomination: Individual Contribution, Young Achiever, and Voluntary and Community Sector Organisation. I encourage you all to take a moment to think about those in our borough who give back and dedicate their time for the benefit of others.
If an organisation or individual comes to mind, please nominate them for a Mayor’s Award. I look forward to reading your nominations.”
Hear from past winners
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."
Winners will be selected by a -six person judging panel comprised of:
- Cllr Tom Bennett, Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea
- Cllr Elizabeth Campbell, Leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council
- Cllr Kasim Ali, Leader of the Labour Group at Kensington and Chelsea Council
- Michael Ashe, CEO of Volunteer Centre Kensington and Chelsea
- Angela Spence, CEO of Kensington and Chelsea Social Council
- Noha Chentouf, Youth Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea
An award ceremony will be held in Spring 2026 to celebrate the winners in each category. For the Mayor’s Awards nomination form and guidance, visit: www.rbkc.gov.uk/mayors-awards.