Newham Council celebrated the remarkable achievements of local individuals and organisations at the 2024 Newham Civic Awards, honouring their dedication to the borough.
- Newham Council honours local heroes, celebrating their dedication and impact on the borough.
- A night of recognition, music, and celebration unfolded at the historic Old Town Hall Stratford, with awards presented across nine categories.
- With 317 nominations and 424 supporters, the Newham Civic Awards showcase the power of community spirit.
Held on 5 February at the historic Old Town Hall Stratford, the event brought together award recipients, their families, local councillors, and community members for a memorable evening of recognition, music and entertainment.
Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, alongside Newham Council’s Chief Executive, Abi Gbago, presented awards across nine categories, highlighting the invaluable impact of those who go above and beyond to support the community.
The Newham Civic Awards, in association with Berkeley, continue to shine a spotlight on the borough’s unsung heroes, celebrating the passion and commitment that make Newham a thriving and inclusive place to live.
Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, said: “Newham’s greatest strength has always been its people - their kindness, resilience, and unwavering commitment to each other. And last night, we saw that in action. The Newham Civic Awards are our way of celebrating the extraordinary individuals and organisations that make our borough such a vibrant, diverse, and inspiring place to live.
“This year, we received an incredible 317 nominations, with 424 people coming together to honour the very best of our community. Behind every nomination was a story of selflessness, dedication, and civic pride, a reminder that our borough thrives because of those who give their time, energy, and passion to others.
“Newham is one of the most diverse and dynamic places in the country. It is reflected in the way we come together, support one another, and celebrate the many cultures, backgrounds, and traditions that make us who we are.
“To our remarkable winners and nominees, to the Civic Awards Panel and our generous sponsors – thank you. You are what makes Newham special, and I am incredibly proud to stand alongside you as we build a borough that is inclusive, compassionate, and fairer for all.
“Congratulations to all the winners and nominees – you are the beating heart of Newham.”
Baroness Brown of Silvertown, recipient of the Honorary Freedom of the Borough Award, said: "I was delighted and felt very honoured when told of the decision to confer upon me the Freedom of the Borough.
“I would like to thank the London Borough of Newham, the Mayor and all involved in this decision for their kindness and recognition.
“There is something extraordinarily special about receiving such an acknowledgement from people who have worked so closely with me and who have seen at first hand the work I undertook as a Newham Councillor and as the Member of Parliament for West Ham"
Harry Lewis, Divisional Land & Development Director of Berkeley, one of the sponsors of this year’s Civic Awards, said: “With Berkeley currently planned to deliver over 10,000 homes in Newham, it was incredibly important to us to support this gathering of the community to celebrate what makes this Borough such a special place. Congratulations to all of the award winners, who have made a truly inspirational difference, and we look forward to working with many of you in supporting local people and organisations.”
Honorary Freedom of the Borough Award - Paulette Watson MBE and Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Lyn Brown)
Paulette Watson MBE is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and global advocate for diversity in STEM, AI, and digital inclusion. As the Founder and Managing Director of Academy Achievers, she leads the #BeMeDigitalinclusion initiative, empowering Black women and girls in tech. Paulette is the author of She Disrupts: A Black Woman’s Journey in STEM and AI Industries and has received accolades including the KPMG Black Entrepreneur Award and an MBE for services to STEM and AI education. She is also a judge for prestigious awards such as Elektra, Women Leaders in Electronics, and the Global Health and Digital Education Awards.
Baroness Brown of Silvertown is a British politician who served as the MP for West Ham from 2005 to 2024. A Labour Party member, she was a Newham Councillor from 1988 to 2005 and held several key local, regional, and national roles. Throughout her career, she was a Parliamentary Private Secretary to Phil Woolas and John Denham, and served as a Government Whip from 2009 to 2010. She also held multiple roles in the Shadow Government, including Shadow Minister for the Home Office, Policing, Exchequer Secretary for Social Inclusion, and Minister for Prisons and Probation until stepping down.
Stronger and United Together Award - E6-Sisters Community Pantry
E6-Sisters Community Pantry, founded by Funmy Adeojo, is a community hub dedicated to helping families transition from surviving to thriving. The pantry offers practical support, sustainability initiatives, and empowerment programs to families in need. Serving over 100 families across two Newham locations, it is supported by People Powered Places, Central Park Primary, and businesses like ARQ Homes, London Design and Engineering College, and West Ham United Irons Supporters.
Create and Thrive Award - Newham All Star Sports Academy
Newham All Star Sports Academy (NASSA), established in 2005 and a registered charity since 2006, supports young people in Newham. Key projects include Carry A Basketball Not A Blade, educating 1,000 youths annually on knife crime, and the London Air Ambulance project, offering 400 first aid qualifications yearly. NASSA also provides coaching and refereeing qualifications and competes in local and national basketball leagues. Over 19 years, it has supported 100,000 vulnerable youths. With partnerships across 20 schools and collaborations with organizations like the Metropolitan Police, NASSA creates impactful programs to address community needs.
Good Neighbour Award - Hannah Duthie
Hannah Duthie, a local resident with over 20 years of experience, began her career as a primary school teacher before joining The Magpie Project, where she supports families facing homelessness. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she connected her street via a WhatsApp group, fostering solidarity. She used community assembly funding to create Tiny Libraries E6, a book exchange network, and led the development of The Rainbow Garden, which includes Newham’s first skate ramp. Additionally, Hannah is the chair of Friends of Central Park, a resident-led group promoting the park.
Youth Excellence Award - Simran Pal
Simran Pal, a 12-year-old passionate about community and environmental improvement, has led several local initiatives. With Sir Stephen Timms’ support, she collaborated with Newham Council’s Parks Team, her school, and the community to plant 20 Scottish oak trees in her local park. Simran volunteers with the Beckton Friendship Club, supporting individuals with learning disabilities and helping with fundraising and art exhibitions during Learning Disability Week. She also runs Young Hearts, a girls’ group that meets each half-term to socialise, go on trips, and learn new skills, providing a supportive space to combat loneliness and isolation.
Green Champion Award - Celia Wain-Heapy
Celia Wain-Heapy, Founder of ClimateYouChange, has a background in design and teaching at University of the Arts London. Motivated by the urgent need to combat global warming, she shifted her focus to climate action. In 2019, Celia founded ClimateYouChange to unite people in sharing knowledge, working on community projects, and promoting lifestyle changes. Their educational programs include food waste reduction, plant-based cooking, fashion upcycling, sustainable product swaps, Climate Kids, and food growing. ClimateYouChange also established Newham’s first food forest and a rainwater-harvested, passive irrigation system.
Community Wealth Builder Award - Stratford Market Village
Stratford Market Village, a vibrant indoor market in East London, has served the community for over 75 years. It houses 60 unique shops, offering global cuisines, beauty and hair services, and a variety of retail options such as fashion, accessories, and technology. More than just a shopping destination, it’s a community hub where cultures connect, businesses grow, and people come together. With its rich history and inclusive atmosphere, Stratford Market Village remains a cherished part of East London, evolving to attract new visitors while continuing to celebrate diversity, resilience, and opportunity for all.
Outstanding Contribution Award - Patrick Anthony Phipps
Patrick Anthony Phipps, owner of A Cut Above The Rest since 1991, provides a safe space for all, especially young people seeking advice. Not only do clients leave with great haircuts, but also wisdom and encouragement. Patrick has mentored new barbers in Newham, many of whom have opened their own shops. An entrepreneur, he launched Funkkwest.com, wrote three books for young adults, and lectured at Newham College, where he won Employer of the Year in 2017. He is also a City & Guilds T-Levels Board Member and part of the Newham Chamber of Commerce, advocating for his community for over 54 years.
Well Newham Award - Men In Sheds Breaking Grounds
Men In Sheds are community spaces where men connect, converse, and create together. At Breaking Grounds Shed, members work towards common goals in a supportive environment. The Shed is open to men aged 18+ with varying skill levels, from novices to experienced hobbyists or retired professionals. The Men In Sheds project, part of the Be Connected programme run by Community Neighbourhood Link Workers, aims to reduce loneliness and social isolation in the borough. It provides a welcoming space for all abilities to enjoy shared activities and foster a sense of community.
There were also a number of special commendations on the night, including:
- Stronger and United Together Award - Magic Care Moments Club
- Create and Thrive Award - Act Up! Newham
- Good Neighbour Award - Selene Petersen
- Youth Excellence Award - Zaynab Alom and Inaaya Riaz
- Green Champion Award - Sustainably Muslim and UEL Sustainability Research Institute
- Outstanding Contribution Award - Hafiz Ahmed
- Well Newham Award – Deafroots
Now in its third year, the Newham Civic Awards opened for public nominations in October, offering Newham residents the opportunity to nominate their local heroes for an award. Nominations were considered by the Civic Awards Panel and approved by Full Council ahead of this year’s ceremony.
The 2024 Newham Civic Awards were sponsored by Berkeley, Lendlease, Foundation for Future London (FFL), Excel London, Westfield Stratford City. For more about the sponsors, visit the Newham Council website.
To find out more visit our webpage about the Newham Civic Awards.
