Ecosystem Coldharbour Changemaker Awards
A Night of Celebration, Reflection, and New Beginnings
The Ecosystem Coldharbour community came together for the highly anticipated Community Changemaker Awards, and what an electrifying evening it was! The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement, joy and a sense of unity as we celebrated the incredible achievements of our community members and looked forward to the future with the debut of MyEnds 2.0.
The Evening Unfolds
As the doors opened, guests were greeted with delicious fruit punch welcome drinks, setting the scene for collaboration, celebration and connection. The event kicked off with a heartfelt welcome address by Margaret Pierre and Ira Campbell, followed by inspiring reflections and aspirations from Helen Hayes MP and Council Leader Cllr. Claire Holland. Their words resonated deeply with everyone present, highlighting the impact of our collective efforts and the bright future ahead.
Celebrating MyEnds 1.0
Jedidah Onchere and Joel Balkwill took to the stage to provide an overview of the remarkable achievements of the first three years of MyEnds. They shared successes in capacity building, grant-making, network building and the youth leadership program, along with a detailed account of the finances spent. Everyone could attest to the progress made and the collective efforts of all involved.
Introducing MyEnds 2.0
Wayne James then stepped up to introduce MyEnds 2.0, outlining the new work ahead and introducing the new project manager, Mark Foster. The focus on supporting 'At Risk' or 'High Risk' families and young people through a targeted and multi-agency approach was met with enthusiasm and hope for continued positive impact.
EC Talks: Insights and Future Steps
The panel discussion, hosted by Esther Ole, was a highlight of the evening. Grantees Sara from Exceed Reading Stars, Stella Muma from Circle Of Life Ignite, Miranda and Amanda from Sisters Three SW9, and YPM youth leaders Joshua, Demetri, Abdulahi, and Shalomie shared their thoughts on their next steps and future successes. Their insights and experiences were both inspiring and motivating. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for them all.
EC Entertainment: A Powerful Performance
Cinco Flow delivered a powerful performance with "Culdesac," a track from their soon-to-be-released EP. They definitely raised the energy in the room as their music filled the air, adding a vibrant and dynamic touch to the evening.
Honoring Our Changemakers
The highlight of the night was the presentation of the Changemaker Community Awards.
We celebrated the outstanding contributions of Young People's Movement, Abdoulaziz Lelo Ndambi, Lorna Anderson, Nigel Pearce, Helen Hayes MP, Circle of Life Ignite, the Local MET Safer Neighbourhood Team, Ernold Ramsay, Rachael Palmer, and Esther Ole.
Their dedication and hard work have made a significant impact on our community, and it was an honor to recognize their efforts.
Award winners who couldn’t attend included: The Angel Town Collective, Hillmead Primary School, Loughborough Primary School, Group Metropolitan & Thames Valley Housing, Sandra Evangelista and Latifat Akanmu.
We also celebrated the hard work and dedication of Jedidah Onchere as interim project manager and Margaret Pierre, who will be stepping down from her role as co-CEO of MLCE in July. Their leadership and vision have been instrumental in our success.
A Night to Remember
After the awards, we were treated to a mouthwatering menu from the AllStarz Catering team, featuring jerk chicken, curry goat, rice and peas, and plantain. The delicious food added a wonderful touch to an already fantastic evening. The evening concluded with music and even more networking, with guests and forging new partnerships. The joy and camaraderie were evident as everyone came together to celebrate our achievements and look towards the future.
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the event. We can't wait to see what successes MyEnds 2.0 will bring. Stay tuned for more updates and join us in our journey to create a safer, stronger community.