The second annual Young Ealing Foundation Awards took place at Ealing Town Hall, celebrating the outstanding achievements of Ealing’s children, young people and youth providers.
Over 200 people attended the event on Thursday, 6 July, including local young people, youth workers, local youth providers and councillors.
Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, cabinet member for a fairer start said: “A big thank you to everyone who attended the Young Ealing Foundation Awards this year, to support and celebrate the spectacular achievements of Ealing’s children, young people, and all the incredible work of local youth providers.
“It was an incredible evening showcasing the talent and achievements of the next generation, and the milestones achieved by our local young people.”
The winners of the awards were announced in two categories:
Young People Awards (aged 11- 25 who live, work or study in the borough)
• Youth work professional of the Year – Yara Mirdad
• Young Activist of the Year – Jennifer Abreu
• Young Creative leader of the Year – Shanika Hodge-Constantin
• Young Entrepreneur of the Year – Chanelle McPherson-Bradshaw
• Young Sports Leader of the Year – Rose Connolly Woods
• Young Volunteer of the Year – MVP Mentors at Greenford School: Satgun Singh; Preston La-Touche; Mamdouh Tanta; Mayar Tanta; Kaidie Vige; Harrison Newman; Anas Othman
• Overcoming Adversity Award – Karan Jammu
Local Youth Providers
• Employability Project of the Year – Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, Career and Industry Insight
• Mental Wellbeing Project of the Year – Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing and Hounslow Mid Circle
• Physical Wellbeing Project of the Year – London Pulse Basketball Club
• Creative Project of the Year – Descendants, Paxton House, Parallel Lives, Worlds Apart
• Education Project of the Year – Education and Skills Development Group Technology Incubator, Mentoring and Counselling to Reduce Exclusions
• Disability Project of the Year – Westside Young People’s Centre Serena Sawyer’s Disability Project
Spectacular performances delivered by local talent
The Mayor of Ealing, Councillor Hitesh Tailor opened the ceremony and the awards were co-hosted once again by one of Ealing’s Young Champions, Lily Connolly-Woods, and BBC Radio1XTra and Westside Radio’s presenter, Fee Mak.
Spectacular performances were delivered by local talented young people and the action burst into life with Elevate Arts, who opened with their high-energy dance show, and local rappers Corni and C2. This was followed by a piece of opera composed by local University of West London attendee, Sofia Pan, and the Voices of Singing School shared an assortment of their repertoire.
Winner of the Overcoming Adversity Award, 11-year-old Karan Jammu, who is blind and diabetic, also executed a beautiful rendition of Miley Cyrus’ Flowers which received a standing ovation.
“Together we’re making Ealing a great place for children and young people.”
Elly Heaton-Virgo, CEO, Young Ealing Foundation said: “The Young Ealing Foundation Awards is about celebrating the unsung heroes of our community. Young people and youth workers rarely get the recognition they deserve. It’s clear from all of the nominees, winners and performers here tonight that Ealing, as a borough, is full of phenomenal young people, youth workers and youth projects all making a big impact in their local community. From overcoming adversity, to giving up their time to volunteer, we have inspirational people all around us and their voices and their stories need to be heard.
“We’re so proud to have brought so many people together tonight to showcase the fantastic talent we have in our borough. The YEF Awards is co-produced with our Ealing Young Champions, a group of local young people who want to influence local decision making and ensure young voices in Ealing are heard. Together we’re making Ealing a great place for children and young people.”
The Young Ealing Foundation is an independent, registered charity set up in 2017 in response to the ongoing challenges to the children and young people’s sector. Ealing Council is one of its key supporters. Contact the Young Ealing Foundation here.
