London’s heroes celebrated at Faith & Belief Community Awards at Westminster Abbey

London’s unsung heroes were celebrated at the London Faith & Belief Community Awards ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Wednesday 23 November. The Awards highlight the vital work of London’s faith and belief communities by bringing together local heroes and shining a light on their inspirational work.

300 people attended the ceremony at Westminster Abbey which saw 38 projects given awards in categories ranging from Environmental sustainability to Community resourcefulness in response to Covid-19.

This is the first time the event has been held at Westminster Abbey, and the ceremony brought together people from across London who work for harmony and inclusion in their communities. In addition to the 38 projects given awards, the achievements of inspiring individuals were recognised, and the great work of a further 60 projects highlighted.

The Awards are an initiative of the Faith & Belief Forum and supported by Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Greater London’s Council on Faith. The Awards were set up to demonstrate how Londoners of all faiths and beliefs can work together for a fairer and more inclusive city. Each winning project receives £500 to further their work.

Phil Champain, the Director of the Faith & Belief Forum, said:

“Faith and belief groups are at the centre of community life in London, providing vital services and support to those in need and a strong sense of belonging to their members and beneficiaries. We believe that the power of collaborative faith and belief based social action needs to be supported, recognised, and celebrated.”

Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, said:

“This event is about saying thank you to those who help to increase Londoners sense of belonging through their actions and principles. At the heart of this is faith, which gives so many of us our sense of identity and duty. The amazing projects celebrated through this scheme, show us how faith teaches selflessness and strength. These are values that need to be projected and I am glad that by supporting the London Faith & Belief Community Awards we do just this.

See more photos from the event

Full list of award-winners:

Community resourcefulness in response to Covid-19

• CCC. Amazing Grace Ministry
• Chinese Information and Advice Centre
• London Islamic Cultural Society
• Go Dharmic
• Gurdwara SGSS Hounslow
• Gurseva
• Hot Line Meals Service
• Jain Vishwa Bharati London
• Jewish Care
• Romanian Foodbank-RCCT
• Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kingsbury
• Supporting Humanity
• The Paperweight Trust
• Together in Barnet

Environmental sustainability

• Keeping It Wild
• Vine Goes Green (Vine URC Church Ilford)
• Young Christian Climate Network

Health and wellbeing

• Brent Indian Community Centre
• Brent Multi Faith Forum
• Central Mosque of Brent’s Community Health Project
• Club Soda
• Companions’ Cafe and Donation Hub
• Croydon Nightwatch
• Havering Asian Social and Welfare Association (HASWA)
• Jeevan Organ & Blood Donation
• Mandhata Youth and Community Association
• Peckham Pantry – PECAN
• The Redeemed Assemblies Trust
• World Shirdi Sai Baba Organisation (UK) – Food Seva Project

Inspiring youth

• Come Out Of Hiding – The Lighthouse Network CIC
• Growing Hope Brockley
• Island of Heroes – Neasden Temple
• James Ross Hunter Youth Support CIC
• Project ImpACT
• Steps to Success Academy/Pas cu Pas
• Write Back
• Znaniye Foundation

Supporting women

• Bakhita House

 Inspirational individuals

• Imam Tajudeen Salami
• Kunlé Oyedeji
• Ishaan Shah

London Faith & Belief Community Awards 2022 photo gallery