Parents, family workers, local authorities and even one of Britain’s
largest employers were amongst the winners of the six awards – which
recognised both individuals and whole organisations. A full list of winners
is provided at the end of this press notice.
One of the many inspirational winners on the night was Marie Hanson, who
picked up the Outstanding Practitioner Award. A single mother of six, Marie
escaped domestic abuse to set up her own organisation to support families
to reach their full potential. STORM now works with 500 families to help
improve parents’ self-esteem and to give them the skills and
confidence they need to move into work and improve the lives of their
families.
Falis Farah was awarded Inspirational Parent at the ceremony, and her story
would have touched many members of the audience. Originally from Somalia,
Falis arrived in London as a single mother. Within just two months she had
arranged accommodation for her young family, as well as enrolling her
children into school and herself onto an A-level course. Now both a
teaching assistant and a school governor, she runs a free homework club for
30 families and also helps people in her community for whom English is a
second language by translating bills, letters and other communications.
Awards were also handed to whole organisations, with Tower Hamlets Council
receiving the Corporate Commitment Award for the way in which it has
imbedded efforts to tackle child poverty across all areas of the
organisation.
And a branch of one of Britain’s biggest supermarket chains, Asda,
picked up the Exemplary Employer Award. The company has a range of family
friendly policies that enable parents to thrive. The judges recognised that
staff at the Old Kent Road branch demonstrated a real commitment to
supporting their community, by working closely with their local Jobcentre
to help local people – particularly parents, secure and sustain work.
Stephen Timms MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury attended the event
and said:
"I am very pleased to be taking part in such a special event. The
Government is focused on ending child poverty and that is why we are
enshrining in law our commitment to build on the successes of the past ten
years and end child poverty by 2020.
The examples set by the winners of the London child poverty awards are
inspirational. We can all take encouragement from their great work to
support struggling families to get on in life and break free from poverty"
London Councils’ executive member for children and young people,
Councillor Nick Stanton said:
“I’d like to congratulate everyone who was nominated for one of
the Child Poverty Awards.
“These organisations and individuals have worked tirelessly to
improve the lives of children who are living on or below the poverty
line.
“Their commitment is an inspiration to others who have signed up to
the London Child Poverty Pledge to support parents and give children the
best start in life.”
The photograph shows Annie Doubledee, Child Poverty Champion, receiving her
award.
The full list of winners is:
CHILD POVERTY CHAMPION
Winner
Annie Doubledee, Director Islington Childcare Trust
Second place
Siobhan Oktay, Information and Development Worker
Sure Start Acton
Also shortlisted
Claudette Dixon, Safeguarding Practitioner and Children’s Champion -
Camden Homeless Households Support Service
Jaswant Lall, Childcare Partnership Manager - Jobcentre Plus West London
District
OUTSTANDING PRACTITIONER
Winner
Marie Hanson, Founder - STORM
Second place
Tara Khanom, Employment Advisor, Lincoln and Burdett Children’s
Centre
Also shortlisted
Annie Jordan, Working Families Officer, Haringey
Marjorie McFee, Manager, Brixton Children’s Centre
INSPIRATIONAL PARENT
Winner
Falis Farah
Second place
Marie Hanson
Also shortlisted
Paulette Harris
Fina D’Emmanuele
SUPERB SERVICE
Winner
Shelter, Keys to the Future - Newham
second place
South Acton Children’s Centre
Also shortlisted
Children’s Centre Team, Jobcentre Plus West London District
Wilberforce Primary School
CORPORATE COMMITMENT
Winner
London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Second place
Islington Council and Islington Strategic Partnership
Also shortlisted
Bayswater Family Centre
Waltham Forest Local Strategic Partnership
EXEMPLARY EMPLOYER
Winner
ASDA, Old Kent Road
