Last week, local heroes were celebrated at the Abbey Wood Community Champion Awards.

The awards were for Abbey Wood locals who have gone above and beyond to help others, have made an exceptional contribution to their community or have overcome personal barriers in the last 18 months.

The awards ceremony and showcase event took place at C2K Community Centre in Abbey Wood. At the event, local organisations showcased community projects which were funded by the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

The projects aimed to provide direct support to local residents and improve a sense of togetherness within the community. The activities showcased at this event did more than bring the community together, they have helped to capture the “voices” of local people, educated residents and raised awareness around the impact of serious violence. This is part of the Our Greenwich mission to ensure everyone in Greenwich is safer, and feels safer.

Chris Syrus, of Syrus Consultancy, showcased some of the work the organisation does by using creative arts through music to build confidence and self-esteem in young people. The audience were then treated to a performance from up-and-coming artist MOBI1.

They were also joined by Seduced by Art, led by Jay Morrally, which has provided art workshops for residents of all ages in Abbey Wood. Some of the art produced during these workshops was displayed around the venue.

Before the awards ceremony began, there was a fantastic performance of part of Tramshed’s ‘Sorry, not sorry’ play which explored themes of serious violence, knife crime and how young people can stay safe. Tramshed has delivered the play to hundreds of students in primary and secondary schools in the local area.

The above projects, along with cross-generational activities with residents at Weybourne Residential Care Home, align with the aims of our recently launched Cultural Strategy. Through these collaborations this programme has enhanced the experiences, skills, aspirations and therefore the economic opportunity of young people in Abbey Wood.

Nominees of all ages were put forward by people in the community for the categories below:

And the winners for each category are…

Adult Volunteer Award

Hilary Bunker, Weybourne Residential Home

Lynne McCann, TYM Youth Club

Michael Goldsmith, C2K Community Centre

Paulette Orree, TYM Youth Club

Sheryl Austin, TYM Youth Club

Young Volunteer Award

Abiola Britto, volunteer at LPF Kiddies Club

Alfie Rochester, volunteer at TYM Youth Club

Chloe Rochester, volunteer at TYM Youth Club

Harry Bishop, volunteer at TYM Youth Club

Young Advocate Award

Natalie Kyere, member of Seduced by Art

Inspirational Adult Award

Alison Ikpitan, creator of Party in the Park, charity fundraiser

Esther Sesay, founder of the Javan Coker Foundation

Gemma Smith, Neutral Ground contact centre

Inspirational Young Person Award

Ella Harvey, volunteer at TYM Youth Club

Joey T, mentor at TYM Youth Club

Public Service Hero Award

Karen Saunders, TYM Youth Club, Evangelist with the Church Army’s Greenwich Centre of Mission

Small Local Business Award

Tracey Cullen, C2K Community Centre Café

Voluntary and Community Sector Organisation Award

Carmel Britto, Education Director of the LPF Kiddies Club

Young Sports Person Award

Kian G, mentor at TYM Youth Club