Residents, volunteers, and community champions from across Kingston borough were celebrated at the Mayor's annual Community Awards, held at the Guildhall on Friday, 1010 April 2026.

The Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kingston, Councillor Noel Hadjimichael, welcomed guests including the Deputy Lieutenant, councillors, representatives from the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY), members of the judging panel and award winners with their families and friends.

The ceremony began with a special presentation, as the council formally conferred the Freedom of the Borough on the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (PRVC). 

The honour recognises the organisation's "outstanding service" and in accepting the award, Shernett Ranson MBE, a committed FANY member, expressed deep gratitude to the people of Kingston for the recognition and recommitted the organisation to supporting Kingstonians in any future time of crisis.

Opening the awards, the Mayor highlighted the depth and range of nominations received this year and thanked the judging panel for their help with the difficult task of selecting the final recipients.

A total of ten Community Awards were presented, alongside a special Foster Carer Award, recognising the vital role foster carers play in supporting children and young people in the borough.

Lynn and Andre Petersen received the Foster Carer Award for their dedication to providing a safe and supportive home for children in need.

A joint Young People's Community Award was presented to Ryen Trabelsi, Luca Martin, James Hall, and William Harrison of Southborough School, celebrating their "outstanding" voluntary work with residents at the Royal Star & Garter Home and "the positive example they set for their peers".

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Further awards were presented to Dennis Goodship, Magda Glowacka, Tariq Shabbeer, Jan Feist, Anthony Evans, Laura Coyne, Alan Pavett, Beyongsu Ann and Tessa Green, recognising their exceptional contributions to the local community.

The ceremony concluded with the Mayor praising all of the nominees and winners for their "commitment to making Kingston a stronger, more connected and resilient borough".



Councillor Noel Hadjimichael is the current Mayor of Kingston (Credit: Kingston Council)

Full list of award winners and their nomination citations:

Ryen Trabelsi, Luca Martin, James Hall, and William Harrison

Four young volunteers who have shown exceptional dedication to supporting residents at the Royal Star & Garter care home, giving their time to bring companionship, energy and joy through regular visits, while also raising funds to support the home's ongoing work.

Beyongsu Ann 

A professional builder who has dedicated hundreds of unpaid hours over the last 13 years to maintaining and improving WelCare House, Beyongsu has allowed the WelCare charity to continue its invaluable work in a safe, welcoming and accessible environment. 

Anthony Evans

Former Chair and now Vice Chair of the Kingston Society, Anthony has dedicated many years of voluntary service to both the Kingston Society and Kingston's Conservation Area Advisory Committee, helping to review planning proposals, protect historic buildings and conservation areas, and organise events that encourage others to understand and play a role in preserving the character and architectural integrity of Kingston.

Laura Coyne

Laura has worked tirelessly to promote Wellspring, a local organisation aimed at connecting and supporting the local community. Laura created a logo to give Wellspring an identity and has gone on to run many social events, aimed at allowing members to form friendships and reduce isolation. 

Jan Feist

Jan is recognised for her dedication over the last decade to supporting the Royal British Legion (RBL), including the organisation of New Malden's Remembrance Services and the management of the RBL fundraising appeal, which raised over £50,000 in 2024 and 2025 alone. 

Magdalena Glowacka 

Magdalena is the founder of Ariadne's Thread. Since 2022, Magdalena has created a number of wellbeing projects, initially aimed at supporting displaced Ukrainians but now extended to the whole community. Her projects "provide a haven for those beset by displacement, ill-health and isolation"

Dennis Goodship 

Dennis has, for many years, worked quietly to make his local area in Chessington a welcoming place to live and to support his neighbours. Amongst his "many kindnesses", Dennis has supported parents from the local school, arranged a community Christmas Tree, volunteered at the Children's Trust Charity Shop, conducted litter picks in the neighbourhood and raised concerns on local issues with ward councillors, providing ideas on how improvements could be made.

Alan Pavett 

Organised by Alan, a team of around 15 volunteers, aged 13 - 91, have invested many hours into transforming the derelict Rose Garden area in King Edward's Fields into a "local oasis." Alan has led the removal of 10 tonnes of waste, the laying of 30 metres of woodland walk and perhaps even more importantly, created opportunity for friendship and shared ambition amongst those who would otherwise have been strangers.

Dr Tariq Shabbeer 

Tariq, Secretary General and Trustee of Save the World Club, has been a "driving force" behind The Circulatory, a community warehouse in Kingston focused on reuse and sustainability, for more than ten years. The project now also supports over 21,000 residents each year via the Community Fridge, Community Cafe and Community Kitchen, redistributing over 20 tons of food and supplies from local supermarkets.

Tessa Green 

A trustee and volunteer at RBKares, Tessa supports refugees, rough sleepers, low income families, hospital staff, young carers and isolated residents. During the pandemic, she led Sewing4kingston which produced 50,000 items of PPE. Tessa transports elderly residents to fortnightly workshops that she runs, collects and distributes donations and is a key organiser of the RBKares monthly one- stop-shop events, coordinating help from 18 to 20 different service providers.