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STAR in the Community Awards recognise Gateway Residents

Mo Ali, Frances Austin, Sabiha Khanam and Aminul Hoque

Congratulations to Gateway residents, Aminul Hoque and Frances Austin, for winning STAR in the Community Awards.

The sixth STAR in the Community Awards were held in Bethnal Green on Thursday night "to recognise the positive impact Tower Hamlet residents make to their neighbours through their tireless and voluntary actions".

Gateway is one of 10 local Tower Hamlets housing providers, who work in partnership to organise the awards, which also demonstrate how much they value and celebrate the contribution many of their residents make to the communities in which they live.

An independent panel of judges chose 15 Award winners, two of which were Gateway residents.

Aminul Hoque received Gateway’s Inspirational Resident Award. Judges said: "Aminul is a tower of strength in the community and a real inspiration. As Chair of Gateway’s Scrutiny Panel and his local Resident Association in Bow Road, his dedication and commitment makes Gateway residents proud."

Frances Austin was awarded the Contribution to Resident Involvement Award, the first time a Gateway resident has won the award. Judges said: "Frances has championed the needs of residents, sacrificing her own time to make sure the residents’ voice is heard and worked regularly with Gateway to help improve services for others."

Gateway chief executive Kate Dodsworth congratulated Aminul and Frances for being recognised for their hard work and dedication. She said: “Residents are at the heart of everything we do, so having such strong resident contributors like Aminul and Frances  involved with Gateway makes us so much more robust as a housing association. Their contribution is vital and I thank them for ensuring that residents’ voices are always heard.”

The evening was hosted by, Alison Inman, former President of the Chartered Institute of Housing. Alison is well-known for her commitment to social housing, fairness and social justice. She delighted the over 175 guests including Deputy Mayor Cllr. Islam and Cllr Abdal Ullah who were on hand to present awards and honour the winners.

Alison Inman said: ‘It’s an inspirational evening to be amongst so many people who tirelessly volunteer their time to help and empower their communities. Their work undoubtedly improves both the communities and the environments in which they live.  Events such as this are important as they celebrate the, often overlooked, value of social housing communities.  These communities are important and so much good happens because of the selfless work of many individuals, some of whom we honoured tonight.  There’s lots we can learn about the positive power of community from tonight’s winners’.

Deputy Mayor Cllr. Islam said: ‘It is a pleasure to celebrate the incredible achievements of Tower Hamlets residents. I would like to congratulate all of the nominees, finalists and winners who have been recognised tonight, and express my personal appreciation for your community spirit.’

The full list of winners is below:

STAR in the Community Awards 2018/19 - All the winners

Inspirational Resident Award

Roy Blyfield (Clarion)
Roy has been more than a good neighbour, he has been a star! Roy takes the time to help neighbours and encourages people to get involved and residents are grateful for everything he does for the community
 
Jim Martin (Eastendhomes)
Jim has worked tirelessly for his estate and has been a wonderful champion, making his estate an estate to be proud of.

Aminul Hoque (Gateway HA)
Aminul is a tower of strength in the community and a real inspiration. As Chair of Gateway’s Scrutiny Panel and his local TRA in Bow Road, his dedication and commitment makes Gateway residents proud.
 
Abul Faiz (One Housing Group)
Abul has been outstanding in the Isle of Dogs community for over 30 years and been a true islander and is a legend for all he has done!

Dilwar Hussain (Poplar HARCA)
Dilwar is a truly inspirational young man, dedicated to and passionate about improving the lives and health of young people. He is a member of the Community ambassadors group and an asset to our community.
 
Karen Anne Osmonds (Providence Row HA)
Karen is incredibly warm, kind and friendly to her neighbours and has demonstrated acts of kindness throughout her time and been an inspiration to others.

Janu Ali (Spitalfields HA)
Janu has been selflessly working with residents at Princelet St for over 10 years and has been really inspirational in bringing the community together.
 
Samantha Ming (Swan HA)
Samantha is the most proactive No Place for Hate champion for Swan, having actively attended Swan events including Summer Night Lights and Swanfest and encouraged many people to sign the pledge and is truly inspiring.

Neil Eustace(Tower Hamlets Community Housing)
Neil has volunteered for over 8 years with Neighbours in Poplar and always keeps an eye out for his neighbours, selflessly giving his time and made a career of helping people!
 
Serena Dang (Tower Hamlets Homes)
Serena is an amazingly talented and friendly person, who is always helping people learn new things. Her creativity and support is valued by everyone that has met her and she is truly inspirational.

Young People's Award

Sharmina Aktar (Tower Hamlets Homes)
Sharmina is a truly inspirational young person, who has been involved in a lot of voluntary community work across Tower Hamlets, from youth work to charity aid work and has helped fundraise for a number of worthy causes.

Environmental Award

Poet’s Corner Community Gardens (Tower Hamlets Homes)
Poet’s Corner Community Gardens is a wonderful example of local residents coming together to revive a community site which now has 10 passionate members who grow various herbs, vegetables and flowers for the community.

Bringing People Together Award

Eileen Groves (Poplar HARCA)
Eileen is an inspiring woman who has dedicated a lot of time to her local community on the Lansbury West Estate. Eileen is a brilliant social connector and bought many smiles and happy memories to local people of all backgrounds.

Contribution to Resident Involvement Award

Frances Austin (Gateway HA)
Frances has championed the needs of residents, sacrificing her own time to make sure the residents’ voice is heard and worked regularly with Gateway to help improve services for others.  

Special Recognition Award

Tressa Walker (Swan HA)
Tressa was a community champion of the Bow Cross Estate and played a major part in building a community spirit on the estate. Tressa was a star and is still a star!  A resident who always spoke about ‘we’ and ‘us’ in the community. Tressa is sorely missed, but her contribution, effort and spirit lives on and will never be forgotten. We miss you Tressa, thank you.

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