Inspiring Young Londoners recognised at City Hall awards ceremony

The winners of the inaugural London Youth Achievement Awards have tonight been announced at a ceremony at City Hall.

Hosted by the London Assembly and the London Youth Assembly, the awards recognise the huge impact made by young people in the capital.

The winners are:

Best Initiative Award: Big-Chill Out, Lamar Big Jackson

• Lamar’s Big-Chill Out initiative gives boys experiencing isolation and boredom – and who may be at risk of exposure to crime – a space to express themselves and have meaningful conversations in a supportive environment.

Greener London Award: Gabriella Kathrine Brown

• Croydon Youth Assembly chair Gabriella has organised regular litter picks, and collaborated with organisations including Stanley Arts and Kew Gardens to raise awareness of environmental issues.

Community Safety Award: Isabella Tanner, Co-chair of Merton Youth Parliament

• Isabella has worked to try to create trust and break down barriers between the Met Police and young people in Merton. Isabella worked with the Met on a workshop to show young people the challenges officers face and coordinated an event at AFC Wimbledon where young people acted as Superintendent for a day.

Inclusion and Diversity Award: Strength in Difference, J Grange

• J’s Strength in Difference initiative raises awareness of neurodiversity in the Borough of Waltham Forest. He works with schools, businesses, charities and others to enhance their understanding of neurodiversity.

Outstanding Achievement Award: Maryjane Jenkin 

• Following a family tragedy, Maryjane set out to raise money for Cancer Research through a sponsored walk – despite the additional challenges of a mobility impairment, and with exams to revise for. Maryjane’s perseverance helped her to complete her fundraising walk and successfully complete her exams.

Young Carer Award: Anton Oduneye

• Anton offers his time as a volunteer to support new Year 7 students at his former school – mentoring, providing support with attendance, and carrying out more “invaluable” work, in the words of his former teacher. Anton continues to work in the Borough of Barking and Dagenham and will be helping to organise events including the Young People’s Safety Summit.

Young Leader Award: Mohammed Asraf 

• Mohammed organised a pop-up food bank at Featherstone Sports Centre in Southall to give away food, household necessities and toys just before Christmas. Mohammed is already busy planning further pop-up events, learning lessons from his Christmas event to provide even greater support to his community in future.

Young Media Champion Award: Nandini Patel

• Nandini built an online space where young girls could learn henna techniques and explore media as a means of self-expression. She also actively participated in local community events, offering free henna sessions while teaching girls how to share their talents online.

Committees made up of Assembly Members and London Youth Assembly Members worked together to shortlist nominations and make the final decisions on winning nominations.

Chair of the London Assembly, Andrew Boff AM, said:

“I am delighted to have been able to recognise the achievements of some of London’s brilliant young people tonight, and to have thanked them for what they do.

“As we start our celebration of the 25^th anniversary year of the London Assembly, I am reminded that these young people provide not only a bright future for London – but the leadership and the change that we need right now.

“The Assembly is hugely grateful for the work of the London Youth Assembly in making tonight’s celebrations such a huge success, and for all they do in making young Londoners’ voices heard at City Hall.”

Chair of the London Youth Assembly, Ashan Khehra, said:

“Choosing tonight’s winners was no easy task, with so many hugely impressive nominations to choose from, and my thanks go to all of our nominees – and to those who took time to nominate a young person making a difference in their community.

“In every corner of London, young people are uplifting, building and changing our great city – but far too often their hard work goes unnoticed.

“The London Youth Assembly is proud to have played its part in changing that tonight, and thanks the London Assembly for all its help in highlighting the best of what young people do for London.”

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