The Community Leisure UK Award winners have been announced! • Vision RCL

The Community Leisure UK Award winners have been announced!


The National Community Leisure UK Awards are held annually and recognise, celebrate and share the achievements of leisure and culture trusts across the UK.

Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure were delighted to have finalists in three of the categories for the 2020 awards and a winner in one!

Huge congratulations go to Yashmin Harun, a truly worthy winner of the Outstanding Volunteer Award.

As Chair of the Muslimah Sports Association, Yashmin works closely with the Vision Sport & Health team supporting women and girls from the BAME background in Redbridge to improve physical and mental well-being through sport and physical activity participation.

“I feel privileged to be in a position to provide so many women an opportunity, especially from my community, to become active. The support and partnership with Vision RCL, especially Alison Burford and her team has been pivotal in achieving this. This award is a recognition of the work partnerships can achieve and I feel particularly proud to have won this one“.

Yashmin Harun BEM

Congratulations also go to our finalists in the following categories:

Runner up in the Outstanding Employee Achievement Award – Francis Castro, Nature Conservation

Francis secured significant external funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, GLA and Redbridge Council to restore Hainault Ancient Forest.

“It was an incredible honour to be put forward and then nominated for this award. The work I have been nominated for is not just about me, but the accumulation of all the positive change and improvements for Nature Conservation in Redbridge, that every single ranger and volunteer has put their heart and soul into. The Hainault Forest Project has been the icing on the cake, creating a legacy that will last hundreds of years, restoring one the UKs greatest Ancient Forests. Reflecting back on my achievements, the people I have worked with and have seen develop personally over the years, is the best reward of all!”

Francis Castro

Community Impact Award finalist – Arts, Culture and Libraries for Tech Ilford

The team behind the Tech Ilford Festival were thrilled to become finalists for the Community Impact award and this is what they had to say:

“The Tech Ilford Festival is an innovative collaboration between Vision’s Culture teams which brings together technology, science, arts and history. The festival which is led by the Library service’s LAB Central digital programme, has been running for the last 3 years. In that time, it has inspired over 3000 children and young people to enjoy a range of exciting workshops and experiences.
The aim of the festival is help local children experience new technology, participate in great arts experiences and to learn new skills that will help them later in life. Although disappointed not to win the award, we are delighted that our work has been recognised at a national level. We will continue developing the festival to inspire future generations”

Anita Luby for Tech Ilford team

Vision’s Chief Executive, Iain Varah said:

“We are proud of all of our colleagues for going that extra mile for the Redbridge community and making a difference to our borough. We are just sorry that COVID-19 deprived them of their moment to shine at this prestigious awards ceremony which would have been an exciting celebration of our sector. However, I doubt that they will ever forget this moment in time!”