Enfield Council’s Ignite Awards celebrate the achievements of inspirational young people who have made positive changes to their lives

Lib Peck (left) with award winners Leona Opoku and Safiyyah Hart (credit Enfield Council)

The achievements of inspirational young people from Enfield who have made positive changes to their lives have been celebrated at the third-annual Ignite Awards.

Enfield Council’s youth work and development team hosts the awards to celebrate the borough’s young people, to give them a voice and inspire others to fulfil their ambitions.

Special guests this year included Enfield mayor Mohammad Islam and the director of City Hall’s Violence Reduction Unit, Lib Peck, who celebrated young people’s dedication, positive influences and determination to improve themselves and the local community.

Outstanding examples included Dantae Jacob for the ‘Above and Beyond’ award and Safi Hart for the ‘Young Role Model’ award.

Dantae was nominated for his “extraordinary transformation” and change in his past behaviours. His leadership skills have already started making positive impacts with his peers who have faced expulsion in school and within the community.

Safi has persevered and overcome personal struggles to become a better role model for her younger siblings. She has worked “tremendously hard” to change her behaviours and take on more responsibilities to set an example for her younger sister and brother.

In total, ten inspiring young people also received awards across different categories for their commitment to the community in and around Enfield. The ceremony was hosted at Cineworld in Southbury.

Abdul Abdullahi, Enfield Council’s cabinet member for children’s services, said: “The Ignite Awards evening is more than just a ceremony – it is an event where we can celebrate and give thanks to the talented young people making an impact within the communities in Enfield.

“I would also like to give special thanks to our young leaders who made this possible and for their support in encouraging the next generation of youth to inspire, achieve and believe in themselves. As a council, we hope an initiative like this will positively influence all our young people across the borough.”

Over 70% of the young people nominated for awards were participants in the Enfield Inspiring Young Enfield (IYE) ‘Mentoring to Succeed’ programme, which has been funded by the Mayor of London’s ‘New Deal for Young People’ initiative.

The IYE mentoring programme has provided life-changing support to these young people, equipping them with the tools and confidence to navigate challenges and seize opportunities. Through this structured twelve-week initiative, participants aged eleven to 21 (and up to 25 for those with Send) have received tailored mentorship.

Full list of Ignite Awards winners:

360 Award: Emiliano Negoita, Johnathan Hart and Krim Altinawe
Inspiring Sunshine Award: Stephanie Frimpong
Selfless Soul Award: Karnell Fletcher
Sporting Achievement Award: Finley Willis
The Shield Award: Quincy Abnett-Boothe
Young Creator Award: Hannah Orevba
Young Volunteer Award: Aylward Academy – IYE health and social care mentoring programme
Youth Worker of the Year Award: Minhaz Rahman

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