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Community champions shine at Tower Hamlets awards
The winners of the second annual STAR in the Community Awards were revealed at a celebration in The East Wintergarden, in Canary Wharf, which was hosted by David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation.
Among those who were honoured were volunteers who have championed the needs of the young, old and vulnerable by setting up new activities in their neighbourhoods.
Efforts of a young carer who set aside time to promote community fun days were also celebrated and a zumba class organiser received praise.
The event was organised by nine housing organisations based in Tower Hamlets to reward hard working residents for the positive impact they have made on the lives of their neighbours through their tireless voluntary actions.
Poplar and Limehouse MP Jim Fitzpatrick and Cllr. Rabina Khan, lead member for housing, presented awards to the thirteen winning residents.
Cllr Khan and Mr Fitzpatrick said the ceremony was a great way to acknowledge those who had contributed most to their community.
Mr Fitzpatrick said: “It’s great that residents’ achievements are being recognised as without the work of these inspirational people the borough would not be the fantastic place it is today.
“The fact that people want to work together shows that there is so much selflessness in Tower Hamlets and that people want to live with their neighbours in harmony.”
Star trophies were handed out on the night to residents who were crowned winners of categories which included bringing people together, young person of the year and contribution to resident involvement.
Some awards attracted more than 40 nominations and the task of picking winners was down to a panel of independent judges.
The young person of the year award was won by 13 year old Lucy Izzet from Stepney. As well as caring for her mum Sue, who has multiple sclerosis, Lucy has managed to find the time to design posters advertising community events.
She said: “I’ve grown up helping my mum and she has inspired me to support my community. My main drive is seeing other people happy and I particularly enjoy working with younger children.”
Another award winner was Martin King who scooped one of the nine inspirational resident awards.
Martin has been volunteering for 19 years and set up a club in Bow for children aged under 13 five years ago.
He said: “I set up the club to help ensure that children get a good start in life. It’s really important for them to express themselves and at the club we give them the opportunity to talk about their ideas and if we can, we help make them a reality.”
The category which received the most nominations was the contribution to resident involvement award and this was won by Olive Bailey. Olive was described by her neighbours as a well active member of her community and she beat off stiff competition from 41 other nominees to win the award.
Other residents who received trophies on the night were David Stackable, Nicole Cameron, Maggie Phillips, Kim Hayman, Julian Fordyce, Tressa Bates, Sybil Yates, Mamun Rashid, Martin King and Ken Davies.
The STAR in the Community awards was organised by Gateway Housing Association, Newlon Housing Trust, Old Ford Housing Association, One Housing Group, Poplar HARCA, Spitalfields Housing Association, Swan Housing Association, Tower Hamlets Community Housing and Tower Hamlets Homes.
It was sponsored by Canary Wharf Group, Veolia (sponsors of the environmental award), Camerra McKenna LLP, Maxwell Windward LLP, Mears, Apollo, Breyer, Axis, Kingsbury Construction, Morrison’s, East London Business Alliance, East London News, Channel I and London Bangla.
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