Published: Friday 26 April 2024
The thirteen winners of Mayor's Awards were announced on Monday 22 April 2024 in a ceremony hosted by the Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea, Cllr Preety Hudd. 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 the borough’s residents.
At the ceremony, the Mayor presented the winners with their special Mayor's Awards certificates in recognition of their outstanding contribution to local life in Kensington and Chelsea.
The winners were announced in three different categories – Young Achiever, Individual Contribution and Voluntary and Community Sector Organisation. Among this year's recipients are people helping to improve health and wellbeing and reduce social isolation; those dedicated to improving outcomes for children and young people and people committed to making the borough greener, safer and fairer.
Councillor Preety Hudd, Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea, said:
"This year's Mayor's Awards winners have gone the extra mile to make Kensington and Chelsea a special place to live, work, study and visit. On behalf of the Royal Borough, I would like to express my gratitude for the roles they have played in supporting our residents and strengthening our communities.
“I was honoured to be able to present Rhea Mehta with the Young Achiever Mayor's Award and I would like to encourage more nominations in the Young Achiever category, so that we can recognise the fantastic contributions that young people make to local life.”
Inspired by a deep passion for reading, Rhea founded a social impact project called ‘Reading with Rhea’ with the goal of helping to close the literacy attainment gap amongst primary school children, which was worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Her dedication to fostering a love for reading has made a real difference to young learners in Kensington and Chelsea and the wider community; helping them to improve their reading skills and confidence. This devotion has seen Rhea emerge as a role model for young people and adults alike.
The Young Achiever award winner said,:
“It’s such an honour, such a privilege and it’s so lovely to know that the work that I have done has had a positive impact in the community, I am really grateful. Speaking after the ceremony, Rhea said” It was wonderful, it was a great opportunity, I got to meet a lot of new people and just see all the people in my community who have had a positive impact.”
Sophie Lewisohn who was awarded for 20 years of voluntary work in supporting charities and community groups said:
“I absolutely love volunteering at the ClementJames Centre and this surprise award, I am so delighted about it. It was very auspicious coming into the Council chamber which I’ve never been into before. It was a really impressive event. Some lovely things were said by Preety, the Mayor and it was a really impressive ceremony.”
Sophie started volunteering at the ClementJames Centre in 2003 supporting children with their reading, writing, maths and general homework. Through this initial volunteering, Sophie then served as a Trustee of the ClementJames Centre for 15 years – and a Chair for two years – and a founding Trustee at its sister charity, IntoUniversity, helping both charities to be in the position where it serves thousands of members in North Kensington and beyond.
Ali Sharif from the Learning Club Community Association who was awarded for supporting the lives of young people in the borough, said:
“The award means a lot, not just to me, but to the community, to be recognised by the Mayor. It means a lot to young people to be recognised and invited for this big award ceremony. It’s wonderful and a privilege to be part of these awards. I’d like to thank Kensington and Chelsea Council, the Mayor and the community. Please give 10 percent of your time to young people, we need to be behind young people and support them.”
The Learning Club Community Association have empowered young people to fulfil their potential and build a positive future by providing spaces that allow young people to feel safe through mentoring and helping to unlock talent and build life skills.
The full list of winners can be found here.
