Futures Fair & Adiaha Antigha Awards

At the Futures Fair

The Hackney Futures Fair 2011 was one of the best yet with stallholders and visitors coming from across the borough and beyond to share information and skills. With more than twenty stallholders from a diverse range of local VCS organisations and over one hundred visitors there was something on offer for everyone.

Jackie Brett from the City & Hackney Health & Social Care Forum commented: “It was a great day and a brilliant opportunity for meeting people who I’d spoken to on the phone but never met face to face before.” Kes Okobia, Development Manager at Springboard Hackney & Bromley said: “There are a lot of organisations here and it has really been a very informative day.”

Adiaha Antigha Community Achievement Awards

“The families we work with are very excited about winning this wonderful award, we are all so proud.”

The highlight of the day for many was the yearly Adiaha Antigha Award Ceremony. The founder of Hackney CVS, Adiaha Antigha (1949 – 2006) made a huge contribution to the voluntary and community sector in Hackney and the ceremony in her memory celebrates the excellence and diversity of Hackney’s VCS. This year, for the first time, organisations were both nominated by and voted for by the sector, making the awards a real part of the community.

Winner of the award for the organisation which has contributed to raising equality in Hackney was Finsbury Park Homeless Families project. The organisation was nominated by a former service user who wrote, ‘No matter how much I write about this charity it will never be enough. What they do is unforgettable…they made me feel like I have known them for years. That is why I love the place, I still do and I will do forever.’

Accepting the award on behalf of Finsbury Park Homeless Families Project, Sirtaj Rahman said: "Thanks so much. It’s great that other organisations recognise the good we’re doing after twenty seven years of hard work.”


Sirtaj Rahman and friends from Finsbury Park Homeless Families Project.
Adiaha Antigha, Hackney CVS founder, is in the central picture behind

Artburst were winners of the award for the voluntary and community organisation that has contributed to children and young people's wellbeing. Penny Embden Co -Founder of Artburst comments: “We are over the moon to be a winner of the Adiaha Antigha Community Awards for our ‘Speak Out’ programme - especially because it is voted for by the public. It’s a real endorsement that our unique approach of integrating art and drama is making a positive difference to children in Hackney who have speech, language and communication needs. The families we work with are very excited about winning this wonderful award, we are all so proud.”


Award winners Artburst

Jake Ferguson, CEO of Hackney CVS sums up a fantastic day: “The great thing about the awards is that they celebrate what the sector is really good at. It’s the highlight of my year, hearing all the stories of people who have used voluntary and community sector services and how their lives have improved as a result. All of the winners are fantastic and this shows what great work is going on out there.”

Award winners Outward Housing

Winning Organisations 2011 >

Award for children and young people's wellbeing: Artburst

Award for services for older people: Outward Housing

Award for services for new communities: SAHIL Housing Association

Award for raising equality in Hackney: Finsbury Park Homeless Families Project

Award for the organisation which has been the most enterprising in adapting to current challenges: Manor House Development Trust