The 2025 Lambeth Civic Awards were an even bigger success than last year’s relaunch, celebrating the community that makes Lambeth a better place for all.
Winning the awards
The awards were relaunched in 2024 to recognise and celebrate the incredible work that Lambeth’s community, charities, voluntary sector, and businesses do to help others.
The six-week nomination period started with Lambeth Council asking residents to send in names and 500 words of reasons why local heroes deserved to win in nine Awards categories. A judging panel including the Mayor of Lambeth and Mala Naicker, last year’s ‘Lambeth Heroes’ winner to represent the community, chose the final nine winners announced on the night from over 450 nominations.
Making Lambeth special
Councillor Claire Holland, Leader of the Council, said: “Lambeth’s Civic awards celebrate the community’s work on climate, arts and culture, social enterprise, health and wellbeing, community safety and empowering young people. It’s our chance to publicly recognise outstanding individuals going the extra mile as volunteers, and young citizens’ outstanding service and contributions to the borough.
“Our ambitions for Lambeth 2030 support what you do every day – reducing inequalities and making everyone feel welcomed, supported and empowered in what you do, and do so well.”
Unique vision
The awards ceremony in Lambeth Town Hall’s Assembly Hall was also a showcase for Lambeth’s creative talent, with live performances from Afrobeat vocalist Esther Ole and Latin/Fusion dancers Empyrean, as well as an award presented by special guest, Levi Roots. Presenting the Social Enterprise award to mental health support charity Southside Rehabilitation Centre, entrepreneur and celebrity Levi Roots talked about the uniqueness of Lambeth’s people and how sticking to your own vision can be the key to success.
Above and beyond
Ian Davis, Lambeth’s Chief Executive said: “This evening I’ve learned about people who have gone above and beyond to champion and support people in our communities and help them thrive in many areas of work across the borough.
“I’ve been really impressed and moved by your stories – there’s such a strong feeling of community and diversity. Your work and organisations are the heart and soul of the borough.”
Special recognition
The evening also included:
- A special award recognising Ching Wah Wong for over 25 years of passionate commitment to making sure her community has a voice.
- An award for Surrey Cricket Club at the Oval, presented by Cllr Donatus Anyanwu, celebrating 180 years as part of the Lambeth community and for delivering sports and education programmes in Lambeth primary schools and with other neighbours and partners; and
- An award presented by John-Paul Ennis, Lambeth’s youngest-ever Mayor, for Akeem Williams who helped a victim of knife crime on the streets of Brixton, witnessed by the Mayor.
More information
You can learn more about the Civic Awards, with photos of the event, lists of the winners and finalists, and more at www.lambeth.gov.uk/awards
