The awards saw A2Dominion customers nominate fellow residents in four categories:
- Outstanding Young Person
- Good Neighbour
- Community Hero
- Community Champion.
Shortlisted finalists were judged by a panel of A2Dominion senior staff who chose the stand-out winners form over 50 inspiring nominations.
The four winners were revealed through a series of videos filmed on location at the winners’ neighbourhoods over the past few months.
See all the winners’ videos on our YouTube channel: Neighbourhood Awards 2022
Dawn Wightman, Director of Housing at A2Dominion, said:
“The Neighbourhood Awards showcase the inspiring individuals making a difference in their communities. This year’s finalists have gone the extra mile with their volunteering and impressed the judges with their spirit and commitment to their neighbourhoods.
“They have invested their own time to improve services, create meaningful and innovative projects and opportunities that improve people’s lives. We’re very proud to recognise their wonderful contributions.”
Meet the award winners
Outstanding Young Person: Bernadeta Pajor, Westminster
Bernadeta was nominated by her friend and neighbour, Nassima Bouguelil, who said:
“Bernadeta is a wonderful young girl who - amongst so many things - helps with my autistic daughter by taking her to and from the play centre, shops for me and other residents when we can’t get out, brings parcels that are left downstairs or outside to neighbours and even litter picks to keep the neighbourhood clean! She has a beautiful heart and is a deserved winner of the award.”
Good Neighbour: Louella Payos, Sunbury-on-Thames
Louella was nominated by her neighbour, Michaela Slark, who said:
“I’m retired due to Multiple Sclerosis and Louella will drive me anywhere I need to go such as GP appointments, and if I’m having a bad day Louella will sit with me and keep me company until I feel better. I have never met a person who is so caring and gives her time and energy without complaining. She is a superstar.
“She has become such an incredible friend to me and the community. She cooks for anyone who is struggling, she will go out and run errands for people, she goes shopping for many of the older residents – all because she cares so much for us all.”
Community Hero: Anna-Marie Goodacre, Stanwell
Anna-Marie was nominated by A2Dominion staff member, Lisa Brades, who said:
“Anna-Marie runs Stanwell Foodbank and Stanwell Events, both of which are a vital need in Stanwell. She supports the whole community through a variety of projects, as well as with surplus foods, lunch packs during school holidays, cooked meals to those in need, youth clubs and so much more.
“She has also been an absolute diamond during the pandemic and a lifeline for so many families. Without the services Anna-Marie and her team provide, many would have struggled immensely.”
Community Champion: Errol Grant, Hackey
Errol was nominated by A2Dominion staff member, Caroline Wolff, who said:
“I thought of Errol immediately for the Community Champion award as he cares so much about his community and has always been concerned about young people and their futures.
“I first met him through A2Dominion’s Great Places to Live programme where he wanted support to put on more youth activities and give youngsters more things to do. His football and basketball sessions are such a vital outlet for the area, and he’s a very worthy winner of this award.”