A pair of charities based in the borough – the Znaniye Foundation and MindFood – have been awarded the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024.
MindFood supports people struggling with stress, depression, anxiety and isolation; while the Znaniye Foundation (pictured above) works to empower young people and build community connections.
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is considered the highest recognition a UK voluntary organisation can receive and it showcases the outstanding work local groups do to support their communities.
Outdoor nurturing
MindFood nurtures better mental health by running gardening and other nature-based activities at 2 sites in the borough: Cleveley Crescent Allotments near Hanger Lane and Horsenden Farm in Perivale.
Lucy Clark, MindFood’s programme director, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive The Kings Award, which recognises the efforts of our dedicated team, and our amazing volunteers.
As we say at MindFood: ‘You can’t make a plant grow, all you can do is give it the conditions it needs to thrive.’ We feel that people are a lot like that.”
‘Making a positive impact every day’
The Znaniye Foundation (pictured at the top of the page) helps children, young people, and families living in socially deprived areas.
Patima Shareefy, Znaniye Foundation’s charity development and project manager, said: “Receiving this award is an incredible honour for Znaniye Foundation. It is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our volunteers and community members who give their time to inspire the next generation. Together, we have worked tirelessly to ensure that children in Ealing have the opportunity to thrive, no matter their background.
“This recognition celebrates our shared commitment to building a brighter future for our young people, and we hope it inspires others to support causes that make a difference. Our work is by the community, for the community, and we feel privileged to continue serving the remarkable children and families in our borough, making a positive impact every day.”
‘Care and compassion’
MindFood and the Znaniye Foundation are among 281 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups in the UK to receive the award this year.
The council plans to hold a special reception for the charities to officially recognise the achievement.
Council leader Peter Mason, said: “MindFood and the Znaniye Foundation do incredible work helping people facing extremely challenging situations across the borough by bringing people together to support one another.
“In being awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, arguably the highest recognition of their work, a light is being shone on the care and compassion people and organisations in the borough have for others around them.”
The awards
Representatives of the 2 charities will receive an award crystal and certificate from Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE, Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, next year and volunteers will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in summer 2025.
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service was created in 2002 to celebrate Her Majesty the late Queen’s Golden Jubilee and was continued following the accession of His Majesty The King. 2024 marks the second year of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
The awards were announced on the 76th birthday of King Charles on 14 November.
Ealing Council has provided support to both charities, including funding to MindFood through the council’s Community Connections Grant. Znaniye Foundation is one of the council’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme providers.
