Labour councillor for Stockwell and soup kitchen founder wins Community Champion Award
BY TOBY PORTER
toby@slpmedia.co.uk
A soup kitchen founder has been honoured for his work supporting young people who do not get the best start in life.
Dr Mahamed Hashi, pictured, has won the Community Champion Award, given out by a think tank and local government fund manager.
Dr Hashi, who is a Labour councillor for Stockwell, received the award against the backdrop of the Guildhall’s Livery Hall in London.
There were nearly 200 nominations, so competition was extremely tight this year. Winners were selected by a group of judges made up of council leaders and chief executives.
Dr Hashi impressed judges with his boundless energy and the wide range of work that he is involved in, which includes helping homeless people within Lambeth, working with gangs and working within committee to advise the police about local issues.
Judges also highlighted the difficulties of being a councillor within a challenging community environment.
His level of involvement is exemplified by the injury he sustained when he was shot trying to break up a fight.
Since then he has introduced measures such as the New Beginnings youth organisation to help individuals to leave gang life safely, which judges noted is a key social issue in London.
Dr Hashi said: “I was pleased with the award. I am doing all I can to help. “But it takes a village to raise a child and we are living in a big village, which is getting bigger all the time.
“It is good to see organisations and the police building bridges across the area – now that the Lambeth and Southwark divisions are being united in one unit.
“It would be an exciting time, if only so many young people were not killing each other.”
The award came from the Local Government Information Unit, whose chief executive Dr Jonathan Carr-West said: “It’s fantastic to hear stories of local councillors working selflessly for the community, bringing real benefits to residents.
“Cllr Dr Mahamed Hashi has demonstrated huge talent and dedication.
The outstanding quality of the nominations we received this year stands as a testament to the exceptional job many councillors are doing for their community.”
The Councillor Achievement Awards are the only national ceremony to recognise and reward the efforts of councillors from across the political spectrum.
A total of seven awards were up for grabs this year.