HAPPY CARE BRISTOL

Happy Care Ltd. is a leader in merging advanced technology with compassionate care, transforming the wellness industry. Their commitment to empathy and innovation drives personalized healthcare solutions and impactful community programs, setting new standards for care. With a focus on anticipating needs and empowering individuals, Happy Care Ltd. continuously pushes boundaries, creating a brighter, healthier future for all.

Payslip Accountants & Tax Advisors – Your Trusted Financial Partner

Payslip Accountants & Tax Advisors is a forward-thinking firm dedicated to supporting businesses and individuals with tailored financial services, including bookkeeping, payroll, VAT compliance, and financial accounts preparation. Our experienced team offers personalized, proactive solutions to help clients meet obligations, optimize finances, and achieve long-term success. What sets us apart is our dedication to building long-term relationships and providing proactive advice that helps clients grow and succeed.

MARINA RUHINDA

I’m Marina Ruhinda, also known as Redred Love of Redlovedesigns. As a Tanzanian-born singer-songwriter, music producer, and fashion designer based in the UK, my passion for music began early, inspired by listening to and arranging my favourite songs. To date, I’ve written over 200 songs, with around 30 recorded and a few published.

My love for fashion also started young, transforming unused materials from my mother’s closet into skirts and dresses. In 2023, I began officially designing garments after returning to Tanzania, where I developed a deep appreciation for kitenge fabric. Now, I create unique pieces blending kitenge with other fabrics, celebrating African style.

CHANGING SUITS Swindon 

Swindon Changing Suits in Swindon is dedicated to bridging cultural divides between the South Asian community (SAC) and local service providers. The organisation raises awareness and provides support around mental health, domestic abuse, reproductive health, and overall well-being. Through tailored support groups, workshops, physical activity classes, health fairs, and a community podcast, Changing Suits empowers the SAC by facilitating open discussions, providing resources, and promoting accessible, culturally sensitive support within the community.

PLYMOUTH ROMANIAN ORGANISATION

This organisation has been a pillar of support for the Romanian community, empowering entrepreneurs, assisting families, and organizing impactful events such as the Grand Union Day celebration. Their dedication to fostering cultural pride and strengthening community bonds has made a meaningful difference. Receiving this award would further elevate their presence and enable them to continue their valuable work.

MOHAMMAD AINUL ISLAM

As President of the Bangladesh Association (Bristol, Bath & West), I’ve secured grants to support marginalized groups, establishing a community advice center and regular health awareness sessions. I advocate for equal rights, especially for disability access, and have promoted inclusive public transport policies. For the past 15 years, I’ve raised awareness of these issues, and as Chairman of the Licensed Taxi Association, I work for inclusivity in the transport sector.

My contributions include securing £100,000 to improve disability access at the Bangladesh Centre, collaborating with the city council and police to strengthen race relations, and fostering community cohesion. Recognizing gaps in services, we’ve also tailored programs to address our community’s language and cultural needs.

BHAWNA GOYAL

As a Swindon resident of eight years and a Cloud Engineer, I’m deeply committed to enriching our community.I’ve actively collaborated with local groups to empower women, support child development, reduce homelessness, and promote greener spaces to combat climate change. I’m also focused on issues like pavement parking near schools and advocating for a ‘School Safety Zone’ to protect children.

My goal is to expand activities for seniors, provide safe spaces for youth, and ensure all voices are heard in community decisions. I’m dedicated to building a safer, greener, and more inclusive Swindon.

ABDUL RAOOF MALIK

Chair of Easton Jamia Masjid: As Chair of the largest mosque in Bristol, he revitalized its infrastructure and operations after decades of stagnation. He launched an after-school club for over 100 students, built a library, and secured planning for an impactful mosque extension with a new dome, kitchen, and mortuary. He has fostered strong relations with non-Muslim communities, addressing issues like Islamophobia.  Abdul is the  Founder of Pak Butchers, Bristol’s first Halal butcher shop, which expanded into a successful chain across cities through innovative marketing that attracted diverse customers.

DR DONALD TIMOTHY MLEWA 

I am dedicated to fostering community engagement and cohesion, particularly by amplifying minority voices in areas like mental health and well-being. My efforts have helped communities better understand these challenging issues and know where to find support.   I have designed and delivered training programs on topics such as parenting skills and understanding self-harming behaviours. These initiatives have raised awareness and deepened expertise, empowering communities with valuable knowledge and resources.

PATRICIA JACOB MPANGALA

I am a Forensic Community Practitioner with over nine years of experience in Her Majesty’s prisons, focusing on young offenders and adults. My community work targets young people in the Black community involved in the criminal justice system, emphasizing rehabilitation, mental health support, and prevention.

I organize workshops and peer support groups to raise mental health awareness and reduce stigma. As a member of the Tanzania UK Healthcare Diaspora Association (Tuheda), I contributed to mental health projects during COVID-19. My motivation stems from seeing the disproportionate impact of the criminal justice system on young Black individuals and the urgent need for systemic change. The ongoing challenges related to mental health and reoffending remind me of the importance of creating supportive pathways for youth.

RAFAE A. BROWN 

My most significant achievement as a student was winning a prize for a business pitch in a school competition, where I secured a top-five position. This experience boosted my morale and motivated me to aim higher, reinforcing a lesson my grandmother instilled in me about hard work. The recognition gave me confidence in my project, which aims to provide safe, clean, renewable energy for communities. I believe this initiative can reduce reliance on power-generating companies, positively impacting both my community and the environment.

KEITH MICHEAL ABRAHAMS

One of KB’s greatest achievements was revitalizing an abandoned sports facility in Ward 32, a task that took nine weeks of clean-up and six weeks of infrastructure upgrades. KB fabricated sports equipment and created facilities for 14 sports, now benefiting over 2,000 local kids. This safe space keeps youth engaged, aligning with KB International’s slogan, “A kid in sport is a kid out of court.” KB’s creativity also led to the development of programs for non-athletic children, encouraging reading with support from the local library. They provide wellness programs for seniors, including walking football and weekly activities at local retirement homes. The community enjoys premier league rugby, touch rugby, and a successful cricket program, with KB’s seniors now competing in the premier league—a truly impactful legacy.

TAMIL ASSOCIATION SWINDON –STA

The Swindon Tamil Association, founded in 2006, promotes Tamil language, culture, and arts both within the Tamil community and the wider public. Tamil refugees began arriving in Swindon from Sri Lanka in the early 1990s, fleeing civil war. The Association provided essential support to new arrivals, including English classes, interpreting services for public appointments, assistance with housing, school placements, and GP registrations. Today, the community has grown significantly, and children who began their education in the Tamil School established by the Association have since graduated, completed university, and entered the workforce.war.

CORNELIA AGAPESCU

I am passionate about helping and connecting with others, recognized for my community work and efforts to bring people together. Since moving to the UK in 2013, I have focused on sharing information and providing support to help individuals from diverse backgrounds integrate, organizing activities for children and families to foster a strong community spirit.

Over the years, I’ve built connections with leaders across the Southwest, engaging in initiatives for children, young people, and families, while promoting cultural heritage and embracing diversity

STEFFI FERNANDES 

I am being recognized for my commitment to supporting communities in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and parts of India by creating sustainable job opportunities and enhancing local skills.

In Dar es Salaam, I collaborate with community leaders to address workforce needs in underserved areas. This includes vocational training, entrepreneurship development, and job placement, empowering individuals with skills that bring financial stability and strengthen local economies. Key partnerships with businesses ensure our training aligns with market needs, making skills immediately valuable in the job market.

DR NASEEB MWANDE 

My work has two main aspects: first, I helped TUHEDA establish two simulation medical labs in Tanzania by using my network to secure equipment and trainers. Second, I regularly share my clinical skills through teaching whenever I visit Tanzania.

Additionally, I support Kibindu Primary School in my village by providing desks and IT equipment. The simulation lab project has been a key TUHEDA initiative, enhancing patient safety through ongoing training for nurses and doctors. The primary school teachers now save time and money by no longer needing to travel hours to the city to type and print educational materials.

HODAN ALI

I am being recognized for consistently delivering the highest standards of person-centred care to recipients of BCC-assessed Adult Social Care.

My efforts have transformed the ethos and practices of my colleagues, positively impacting our service users and enhancing the Shining Care model for domiciliary care provision.

ONIA THOMAS

Mrs. Thomas has devoted 20 years to the NHS and has volunteered at her church, God of Prophecy, since 1962. She cooks meals for the church’s weekly club, sings in the choir, and conducts home visits for members who cannot attend Sunday services. Her follow-up calls and passion for sewing and crochet have strengthened community ties. As a group leader, she provides spiritual and practical support to those in need.

Currently, Mrs. Thomas cares for her husband, who has dementia, while participating in workshops to support both of them. Her efforts have significantly reduced isolation and loneliness among church members, ensuring they feel valued and remembered, and her dedication inspires others in the community.

BISNUKUMAR GURUNG My aim is to strengthen community spirit and help residents integrate meaningfully into British society. NAW was established after Nepalese, particularly Gurkhas, began migrating to Swindon, creating a platform for sharing experiences, advice, and support during their transition.

NAW organizes educational, social, and cultural events, awareness workshops, and information days, providing essential support and advice, particularly to vulnerable groups such as senior citizens. I actively contribute to building a cohesive society by organizing and participating in community-wide events and activities in Swindon.

EKHLAS AHMED

I volunteer with the Bristol Sudanese Community Association, coordinating activities to support our community members.

Over the past 10 years, I have organized various events, including family trips, which help our community cope with the challenges we face due to ongoing difficulties. These social outings foster connection and support among members.

By leading through example, I have inspired others to join our volunteer team and take on leadership roles in organizing events.

ALL NATIONS COMMUNITY CENTRE/ALL NATIONS SOCIAL CLUB

All Nations Community Centre partners with local authorities, voluntary organizations, and community members to advance education and provide recreational facilities aimed at improving our members’ quality of life. Recently, we have focused on addressing social isolation, health and wellbeing, and youth engagement. Since October 2021, we have seen a steady increase in individuals accessing the centre as users, participants, or organizers.

MTM Batook Pandya Special Recognition 2024

RSVP BHANGRA

RSVP Bhangra’s unique blend of classic Punjabi music with dance beats, vibrant stage presence, and audience engagement has made them one of the UK’s favourite festival bands, repeatedly invited back over the last decade.

PRUDENCE ORRIDGE nee KIMITI

After holding various roles in translation, adult education, and refugee support, I joined HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in 2005 at the lowest grade. Over the years, I have advanced to a senior leadership position, including serving as HMRC’s Customs Fraud lead. Currently, I am a senior manager in HMRC’s Large Business Directorate.

My most significant contributions have been in advancing Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). Alongside my professional responsibilities, I volunteered as the leader of HMRC’s Race Network in Wales for nearly three years. During this time, I revitalized the Network, fostering a thriving community for ethnic minority colleagues. I also spearheaded the region’s response to the Black Lives Matter protests, addressing the disparities faced by ethnic minority employees within HMRC.