Hannah Chowdhry, a law student at the University of Aberdeen, has been recognized as a ‘Leadership Trailblazer’ by This is Youth—an award ceremony organized by the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme.
She earned this distinction for her commendable efforts in establishing a ‘Meals for the Homeless’ project while volunteering with the British Asian Christian Association in Ilford, during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her dedication resulted in her kitchen receiving a prestigious 5-star rating from Redbridge Council. Despite being in operation for just a few months, she swiftly assumed the role of spearheading the sole homeless meals service in the borough. Furthermore, she generously shared her risk assessment expertise with others, contributing to the broader community’s well-being.
At her project, more than 100 homeless individuals and struggling families received hot meals and a food bank service twice a day. According to FareShare, between March and June 2020, the centre accomplished notable achievements, including the 4th highest acceptance collection rate in East London with 174 donations and the 6th highest compliance rate, reaching a 93.05% collection rate. Nationally, within the same period, the project secured the 44th highest weight collected, totaling 3936kg. This was within the first few months of the project start-up.
A video of Hannah’s work created during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hannah’s contributions during the pandemic are truly commendable. She referred 22 homeless individuals to the Redbridge Homeless Unit, playing a crucial role in helping them transition from the streets. Remarkably, most of these individuals are now in permanent housing or assisted living. Hannah helped furnish many of these homes (click here).
Her initiative extended beyond housing support—she connected groups like Westminster Drug Project and the NHS to the project (click here), ensuring that visitors received essential health checks and counseling.
Even after purchasing a home in Aberdeen at the age of 19, Hannah remains dedicated. During visits to her parental home, she continues to write risk assessments for the projects and actively volunteers at the centre. Her commitment to making a positive impact is truly inspiring.
Hannah’s project for the homeless is still ongoing. If you’re interested in contributing or supporting the cause, you can make a difference by participating in the project or donating (here). Every contribution, big or small, can help reach even more people in need. It’s heartening to see individuals like Hannah making a lasting impact, and your support can contribute to the continued success of her initiative.
Hannah received her award at an event at the Postal Museum in London on 29th November 2023. Her Award was presented by Mr Nicholas Giles of the Gosling Trust. Before the ceremony she was treated to a tour of London on a Tea Room Bus and after the ceremony enjoyed a short journey on the Mail Rail train (click here).
After the awards ceremony, Hannah spoke with the British Asian Christian Association. She said:
“Winning this award is a testament to all the volunteers and the local community in Ilford who helped me establish a lifeline for homeless people in Redbridge.
“It proves that communities can resolve their own problems if they decide to work together.
“I’m grateful to the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, not only for the platform that being named a Leadership Trailblazer provides but also for the Bronze, Silver, and Gold award program that offered invaluable transferable skills and bolstered my resilience.
“I thank the Jewish Lads and Girls Brigade for making the DofE programme easy to navigate and for counselling me when things were tough.” [Hannah was attending King Solomon High School and qualified for JLGB’s managed route through her school]
“I hope more young people take up the award and embark on their trajectory towards personal development.”
VIDEO: Presentation of Trailblazer Award at Ceremony at Post Office Museum in London. Award Presented by Nicholas Giles of the Gosling Foundation.
In the video above Mr Giles speaks of the many other community successes of Hannah Chowdhry. You can learn more (here)
The information below has been taken from DofE website. Please read more and see more images (here)
Leadership comes in many forms. Whether it’s supporting teammates, influencing decision-makers or taking on additional responsibilities, this category celebrates the young people who are blazing a trail and bringing their friends, schools and communities along with them.
Hannah Chowdhry, 19, has a passion for volunteering. She wants to help out her community, give back whenever she can, and reach out to others. She is an advocate of treating all people from all backgrounds – from people experiencing homelessness to millionaires – with the same respect, decency and compassion.
“I think more young people should volunteer, because it improves different skills: building confidence and improving communication skills.”
At the age of 16, Hannah decided to address the growing homelessness issue in Ilford, which she noticed when she volunteered on some monthly community events with the British Asian Christian Association as part of her DofE. She became not only the youngest member of the group, but a project manager.
“I think tackling loneliness is another important part of my homelessness project. Conversing with someone over good food – this is an important part of life.”
Her dedication reached new heights during the COVID-19 pandemic, as she put her own health on the line to assist at a daily project serving homeless people. As her GCSEs were cancelled, she took it upon herself to complete various courses, such as risk assessment, safeguarding (vulnerable adults), mental health awareness, food safety and fire warden training.
“I got volunteers to get involved and we had over 20 volunteers at one point helping us to create a success and help as many people as we could in our community. We were feeding 65 people twice a day.
It was not just my efforts alone – it was everyone. We came together as a community to help the homeless people. I was really proud of the work that we were doing – at 16 I couldn’t imagine doing anything so big.”
Hannah is inspired by volunteering, saying it has taught her to treat people equally and with compassion.
“I was inspired to study law at the University of Aberdeen because of my volunteering work – I want to help the less fortunate and be involved in my community. Studying law will help me to help others going through difficult situations – and that’s all I really want to do. I want to give back and help others.”
This is Youth 2023 recognises and celebrates the amazing stories behind The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. It showcases young people and the adults who support them doing what they do best: rising above today’s challenges and making their mark on the world, their way. Each DofE journey is unique – and every person will be making a difference.
The DofE’s Chair of Trustees, Tanni, Baroness Grey-Thompson DBE, DL and CEO Ruth Marvel presented accolades to winners at a celebration at London’s Postal Museum last night – selected for the incredible impact they have made through their DofE journey.
The charity received hundreds of This is Youth nominations from across the UK in eight categories, with the final winners chosen by panels including DofE Youth Ambassadors and celebrity supporters. Judges also paid tribute to 12 other entrants for their extraordinary achievements.
Ruth Marvel, CEO of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, said: “Our first ever This is Youth winners – and the brilliant nominations we received from every corner of the UK – totally bowled us over. Every one of them has made an incredible impact on their community, and we are so proud of what they have achieved through their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
“The possibilities with DofE are endless – allowing young people to follow their passions, learn new skills, increase in confidence and make a difference – and these amazing young people and volunteers have truly shown that.”
The winners are:
Innovator of the Year, kindly supported by The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC): Theo Holroyd, 16, from Cambridge, who is blind, has created a game-changing computer programme called ‘Talking Balance’ for his DofE Volunteering section. It transforms traditional scientific scales into accessible equipment for blind students, enabling him to fully participate in his GCSE science lessons for the first time. Judged by award-winning presenter Jay Blades MBE and Youth Ambassador Thomas.
Life-Changer of the Year, kindly supported by Pears Foundation: Faye Bishop, 29, a Paediatric & Young Adult Diabetes Youth Worker and DofE Leader from Leeds, who has worked tirelessly to ensure that children with complex needs receiving treatment at Leeds General Infirmary do not miss out on doing their DofE. Judged by journalist and writer Louise Minchin and Youth Ambassador Karolina.
Torchbearer of the Year: Norrie Brown, 65, a DofE Leader from North Ayrshire, who through his 20 years of volunteering with the charity, has helped positively engage hard to reach students, help young people secure university placements and jobs, and reduce anti-social behaviour in his local area. Judged by actress Nina Wadia OBE and Youth Ambassador Ved.
Trailblazer of the Year, kindly supported by The Gosling Foundation: Hannah Chowdhry, 19, from Ilford, who volunteered at a foodbank supporting those experiencing homelessness for her DofE and helped 22 people find temporary housing. Judged by DofE Chair of Trustees and Paralympian, Tanni, Baroness Grey-Thompson DBE, DL and Youth Ambassador Gracie.
Planet Protector of the Year: Lila Nunn, 17, from Cardiff, who has championed eco-solutions in her community for her DofE Volunteering section – including planting trees, replacing a bottle vendor at her school with a refillable water bottle station, and introducing a vegetarian day in the canteen. Judged by gardening guru and TV favourite Alan Titchmarsh MBE DL and Youth Ambassador Lauren.
All-Stars of the Year: Kilsyth DofE Group – Aadam, Abbie, Anthony, Sarah, Elidh, Grace, Gregor, Jack, Lana, Sophia, aged 15-16 from Glasgow, who impressed judges by planning and hosting an event celebrating the achievements of 350 DofE participants across North Lanarkshire, inspiring others to start their Award. Judged by special forces veteran and SAS Who Dares Wins star Jason Fox and Youth Ambassador Poppy.
Change Maker of the Year, kindly supported by British Airways: Sharandeep Sahota, 20, from Coventry, a young carer who has organised social events for other young carers and delivered meals to people experiencing homelessness for her DofE Volunteering section. She also delivered care packages to older people and children in hospital. Judged by adventure athlete and mental health campaigner Sally Orange MBE and Youth Ambassador Olivia.
Boundary Breaker of the Year, kindly supported by Gordon and Hilary Phillips: A young person*, 14, from Gateshead, who has overcome extremely difficult circumstances, including growing up in care and leaving mainstream school, to achieve his Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. This included overcoming triggering experiences related to spending the night away from home to complete his expedition. The judges were impressed with the resilience and determination this young person showed in the face of personal challenges, and the growth that he has experienced as a result. Judged by world record-breaking wheelchair racer Hannah Cockroft OBE DL and Youth Ambassador Olivia.
Innovator of the Year winner Theo said: “I was unable to fully take part in my GCSE science lessons because traditional scientific scales aren’t accessible for blind students. I decided to do something about it with help from my mentor Ben, who is also blind. I contacted the leading school for the blind in the UK, who address this problem in-house with technology from the 1980s that’s not available for classrooms, so I created Talking Balance as part of my Silver DofE Volunteering section.
“It felt amazing to win Innovator of the Year. I think Talking Balance will make a difference for blind people around the world. It was an incredible feeling to use it for the first time and be able to weigh things in science like everybody else. I realised that I’d overcome a roadblock and done something that nobody else has or even thought to do.”
Jay Blades MBE, who judged the Innovator of the Year category said: “What Theo has done with Talking Balance is truly revolutionary. Now, blind students all over the world will be able to fully participate in science experiments simply by purchasing two wires and downloading Theo’s computer programme. This invention simply didn’t exist before, and it has implications for future scientists too, drastically improving accessibility. The innovation and determination that Theo has shown to overcome the obstacles he faced as a blind student – not just for himself, but for others – is extraordinary.”
