The spirit of community took centre stage in Soho this week as Westminster City Council celebrated the borough’s unsung heroes at the relaunch of its Community Awards.
The event, held to recognise residents, groups and organisations who have made exceptional contributions to local life, shone a spotlight on the people helping to shape a stronger, fairer Westminster.
Winners included The Mosaic Community Trust, named Neighbourhood Centre of the Year. “This award belongs to our community,” said the team. “Community is the pillar of what we do, and this one is for them.”
Mike Smith, runner-up in both the Active Citizen of the Year and Building Social Cohesion categories, described the evening as “overwhelming”.
“It’s brought so many people together for the first time since the pandemic,” he said. “It shows that we’ve all kept on fighting for our community and Westminster—despite the difficult times we’ve faced.”
Councillor Cara Sanquest, Cabinet Member for Communities, praised the city’s dedicated volunteers and community organisations.
“I’m so proud that we’ve relaunched Westminster City Council’s Community Awards,” she said. “Our voluntary and community sector organisations, their staff and incredible volunteers go above and beyond to serve our communities.”
The night highlighted a wide range of local impact—from children’s programmes and health equity to environmental activism and creative initiatives.
Among the awardees were:
- James Balloqui (Outstanding work with children and young people)
- Angela Singhate – Tell It Parents Network (Health, Wellbeing and Health Equity)
- Sarah Beshir – Right at Home Central (Contribution to Older People)
- Hend Rahman – Make It Happen (People with Disabilities)
- Margaret Wimble – Handel Hendrix (Arts and Culture)
- Maya and Zara Erdem (Environmental/Green Hero)
- Deujean Bernard – Harrow Road Soup Kitchen (Building Social Cohesion)
- Myra Soni (Young Volunteer of the Year)
- Jacqui Haynes – The Maida Hill Project (Active Citizen of the Year)
- Abdul Mageed Educational Trust (Volunteering Project of the Year)
- Morgan Sindall Property Services (Corporate Social Responsibility Impact)
- Tessa Jelen (Lifetime Achievement Award)
With dozens more shortlisted, including Mike Smith, Mary Smith Pantry, and Treasure Boxing Club, the evening served as a powerful reminder of the energy, care and creativity alive across Westminster.
