We’re thrilled to announce that BDCA has been named Community Group of the Year at the East London Community Heroes Awards 2022!

This prestigious award honours groups that exemplify what can be achieved when people work together.

Sarah Laing, Managing Director at BDCA says: “It is so encouraging to be recognised as heroes by an impressive panel of business and community leaders brought together by the Rotary Club of Stratford. It is particularly lovely to see our values, and our commitment to teamwork and partnership, being recognised publicly in this way. Well done to our staff, trustees and volunteers!”

The other groups who were shortlisted from all of the applicants and who BDCA defeated to clinch the award are:

• The Maryland Community Group
• Carers Community Mental Health Group
• Agelink

We were also highly commended in the category of Outstanding Initiative in Peace & Conflict Resolution. This award is for individuals and groups who promote positive peace in our communities and beyond.

Again, the team was encouraged to see our work bringing people together being recognised by the wider community, and we are sure our fantastic youth project will have played a role in this commendation. Well done youth team!

The other finalists in this category were

• Nurture Academy
• Riding for the Disabled Association
• Derwent Jaconelli (winner)

We also want to congratulate our partner charity Alternatives Trust East London, who won the award for women’s empowerment. You can view the full line-up of winners and runners-up here!

As Sarah concludes: “Thank you to the panel for their confidence in Bonny Downs and congratulations to ALL of you, and especially our amazing volunteers. You are all community heroes and can feel very proud that your work has been officially recognised in this way!”