Hounslow honours the borough’s Community Stars

Áine McGinty••

Hounslow Council honoured some of the borough’s most selfless at the One Hounslow Community Stars Awards, an event sponsored by The Borough of Hounslow Herald.

Held at Hounslow House on Wednesday evening, the ceremony was an opportunity to shine a light on some of the wonderful people and organisations going the extra mile for their community.

‘‘I think you’re all extraordinary,’’ Leader of Hounslow Council Councillor Shantanu Rajawat said as the evening kicked off.

‘I’ve seen first hand the work many of you do,’’ he continued. ‘‘The truth is, making Hounslow the best it can be will only happen when we come together.’’

The council received hundreds of nominations as residents were asked to nominate people or organisations who make an outstanding contribution to the borough, improving and enriching the lives of others, and particularly those who are not widely known or celebrated.

There were no specific categories but the council did identify themes to help inform nominations - with several of the winners meeting multiple themes.

The themes

Community & Neighbourhood

Those who help their neighbours, create community spirit and foster a local support network.

Green

Someone who’s driven to improve their local area, supporting and educating communities to think green, respect their environment and work together.

Social Enterprise

A local business which gives back, supporting residents, communities or its neighbourhood beyond its core business.

Young Leader

An under 25-year-old who goes above and beyond for their community or peers.

Arts & Culture

A person or group which not only enriches our borough and the lives of others through culture, but goes further.

Presented by Councillor Dan Bowring, who represents Syon & Brentford Lock as well as working as a magician, the evening was full of joy and laughter as people from across the borough came together to celebrate the borough’s heroes. It also presented an opportunity to showcase some of the borough’s exceptional talents with an exhibition of Tamil dance from The Kaalayam School of Dance and music from Feltham’s own, Jade Thornton.

All of the winners were met on stage by the council leader and Mayor of Hounslow Councillor Afzaal Kiani as well as a councillor related to the type of work they were being awarded for and given their engraved award and certificate.

Read on to find out more about the inspiring people working to make Hounslow the best it can be, your One Hounslow Community Stars.

The winners

Chiswick Repair Café

First up to be presented with their award were those behind the Chiswick Repair Café, which had been nominated in both the green and social enterprise categories.

Based in Turnham Green’s Christ Church, this talented team have been spearheading the repair café movement in west London.

Multiple volunteers were nominated collectively for their monthly sessions which see them mending items such as computers and toys as well as tool sharpening, sewing and more.

Heston & Isleworth Air Cadets

Next up on stage were the Vicarage Farm Road-based Heston & Isleworth Air Cadets.

Commended for offering experiences, training opportunities and career advice to young people that they may not otherwise have access to.

With over 50 cadets between the ages of 12 and 20, Heston & Isleworth Air Cadets provide training and skills development linked to the aviation sector, a major employer for the borough.

Jenny Samuel

Retired head teacher and Home Start volunteer Jenny Samuel was the next to be invited up to the stage, having been giving back to the local community through Home Start since 2006.

Jenny was celebrated for her work helping dozens of families and over 100 children locally in a range of ways - ensuring children are ready for nursery and school, reducing parental isolation and helping families to access local services and groups.

Heston in the Community (HITC)

Nominated for its positive effect on children in the area, Heston in the Community were next up to receive their award for their wonderful Youth Hub in TW5.

With a particular focus on their mental health football sessions, the group were celebrated for making a valuable contribution to young lives.

Max Campling

Max Campling was the fifth person to receive an award for his tireless work at Hounslow Community FoodBox. He has been a volunteer there for the past eighteen months, making up food parcels for individuals and families tailored to their specific dietary requirements.

Max gives his time to help people struggling to put food on the table in his local community, showing ‘incredible enthusiasm, commitment and flexibility’ - continuing to volunteer whilst taking his GCSE exams.

Cycle Sisters

Celebrated for affording a sense of freedom to hundreds of women across the borough, Cycle Sisters were next up.

Riding out of Osterley Park on Sunday mornings and Hanworth Airpark every other Wednesday, they have developed into something of a local phenomenon.

Ghanaian Community Forum

The Ghanaian Community Forum received their award following multiple nominations for their work in bringing together the Ghanaian community across the borough.

They received high praise for their regular get togethers that serve to celebrate Ghanaian culture, history and food.

Umme Khanzada

Described as ‘phenomenal’ by a colleague, Umme Khanzada was nominated for her work for Cranford Action Group.

Already recognised with an invitation to the Queen’s Garden Party for her voluntary efforts, Umme is described as an ‘inspiration’, leading the way in how we could all work to keep our area clean and green.

Shamama Lateef

A trustee at the Al Mustafa Welfare Trust and social worker by trade, Shamama Lateef received numerous nominations for her work in the community.

From organising youth clubs to helping the homeless, Shamama was also celebrated for taking to the airwaves on Radio Ramadan to directly help women in need.

Michelle Odell

The second half of the night began by celebrating a grieving mother who has channelled her loss into positive community work with local charity Rise and Thrive.

Michelle Odell sadly lost her 14-year-old son Bradlee due to child criminal exploitation in August 2019. Now, through her voluntary work, Michelle works to steer young people away from negative influences and into more positive activity. This includes additional work at the Hanworth Centre with Evolve - the alternative education provider that helps young people back into mainstream education.

SHEWISE

Set up by two career-minded Pakistani women SHEWISE has grown from a self-funded pre-pandemic service consisting of a small number of pop-ups to a respected organisation.

Thanks to Sayeeda Ashraf and Salma Ullah, women are able to find their independence, understand their human rights and enjoy a life of financial independence and dignity.

Sharnjeet Bhalla, Sunshine of Hounslow

Founder of the fantastic Sunshine of Hounslow, Sharnjeet Bhalla was described as ‘the most dedicated and selfless volunteer’.

Founded in 2012, Sunshine of Hounslow works to support isolated residents through health and wellbeing interventions, in addition to regular community activities including, but not limited to, bereavement counselling and the provision of organic food to people with cancer and Alzheimer’s.

They also provide an English to Punjabi/Hindi//Urdu/Gujarati/Swahili interpretation service.

Bernard Hughes

Praised for his work as the former chair and as a trustee of Chiswick Cricket Club, Bernard Hughes was thanked for his ‘transformational guidance’.

Thanks to Bernard, the cricket club has gone from running five weekend men’s teams and a junior membership of 40-50 boys to eight men’s teams, a women’s team and more than 200 junior boys and girls.

Darshan and Gogi Sandhu

The two behind the ‘Health Means Wealth’ community allotment in Feltham, Darshan and Gogi Sandhu were praised for their ‘beautiful, creative and safe resource’.

Aimed at the most mentally and physically vulnerable, the allotment on Heron Way, has also just received £30,000 worth of capital funding from Hounslow Council.

Speak Out in Hounslow

A much-loved community organisation, Speak Out in Hounslow, has been campaigning with activities since 1996.

Based on the Great West Road, the organisation supports those with learning disabilities and autism - with such a wonderful reputation that people travel from outside the borough because there is nothing comparable on offer in their own area.

West London Queer Project

A relatively new project, co-founded in Chiswick in late 2021 by Aubrey Crawley, the West London Queer Project has quickly become a thriving organisation.

From a few friends to a 5,000 strong movement, the group seeks to connect, support and give voice to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer people in the borough and beyond.

Malwina Kukaj

Founder and chair of the Polish Klan Association, Malwina Kukaj was awarded for the significant impact she has made to the lives of the Polish population in Hounslow and further afield.

Malwina is a hugely respected community figure for her work helping the homeless and forging important cultural links with like-minded groups.

Margaret O’Connor

One of the original volunteers for the Home Start charity, Margaret O’Connor has helped hundreds of families. The charity provides emotional support for families when they need it most.

In 2017, Margaret became a trustee. She has also represented Home Start as part of the development of the new Hounslow Family Hubs, working partnership with local organisations and using her wealth of knowledge of the needs of local families and communities.

Jonathan Ashby Rock, Hounslow Arts Centre

Jonathan Ashby Rock was nominated for his inspiring creative work in Hounslow where he has expanded the Arts Centre’s vision, making really good use of the vacant Debenhams space in the Treaty Centre.

Jonathan’s work means more residents can come together and share cultural experiences.

Mohinder Dosanjh, Trinjan

The final award of the night was presented to Mohinder Dosanjh, founder of Trinjan, by the council leader.

Trinjan is an organisation that seeks to empower and motivate women through an enriching friendship group that offers personal development, creative activities, fitness and more!

Mohinder’s nominations spoke of her ‘humble personality’ - something proven on the night as she insisted on the whole team coming up to accept the award.

Congratulations to all of the winners!

All photographs by Sadia Barlow.