We’re delighted that dedicated community leader Hawa Abdi who runs the Center of Excellence (CofE) has been recognised at the G15 Community Impact Awards.
This is the G15 partnership’s very first award ceremony which was held at Peabody’s Burridge Gardens Community Centre in Clapham on Wednesday 5 February.
G15 members representing London’s largest housing associations submitted nominations for the most inspiring and impactful community-led projects of 2024.
Hawa Abdi, director of the CofE and our resident at Grahame Park, won the award for community champion delivering diversity projects. Hawa’s work is focussed on empowering and supporting East African communities through advocacy and dialogue hosting a space for open discussion about family relationships, physical and mental health and overall wellbeing.
We’ve been funding Hawa’s work since 2023, coming together on projects and events that benefit the community. It has become a vital pillar in Grahame Park by helping residents overcome language and digital barriers, as well as cultural differences.
One significant achievement mentioned in the report is the Community Health Fair, which brought together the Somali community to raise awareness about cancer screening, vaccinations and other health services. Health practitioners attended in person, and community leaders engaged with residents to discuss health issues which too often go undiscussed in the East African community. This initiative not only improved health literacy but also strengthened trust between the community and local healthcare providers.
We have seen the impact the centre has had on local individuals and families through their incredible outreach programmes and advocacy work. This is why we’re committed to continuing our partnerships with vital community organisations such as this as we drive social impact in the local community, securing a lasting and positive legacy for our residents on Grahame Park during the regeneration.
Community champions and groups from across the G15 were nominated in the categories of ‘community,’ ‘sustainability,’ ‘wellbeing’ and ‘diversity.’ These were selected because they best represent priority concerns for residents and their communities in achieving equality of opportunity.
It also marked the publication of their Community Impact Report.
A total of 15 awards were presented to winners at the ceremony and they each received a certificate and community grant per project. The award recipients had been selected following a shortlisting process by a panel that included housing association residents.
