Islington Volunteer of the Year Awards 2025
PRESS RELEASE
Islington Volunteer of the Year Awards 2025
Hosted by Voluntary Action Islington (VAI)
Thursday 6th November 2025
Great Hall, London Metropolitan University
This year, we are delighted to announce the winner of the Islington Volunteer of the Year 2025.
Winner: Chiann Wright, Hillside Clubhouse
Chiann joined Hillside in early 2024, and in just over a year, she has become an essential member of the kitchen team, a regular and dependable volunteer at Hillside’s Café. A single mother of two young children, Chiann has brought with her not only warmth and drive, but a powerful story of resilience and growth that continues to motivate those around her.
A survivor of complex trauma, she has used her time at Hillside to rebuild, refocus and channel her energy into something positive, with a particular passion for catering and kitchen work. Beginning her journey with the charity in the catering team, she now volunteers four times a week, working across four different projects:
- Every Monday, she volunteers in the catering team, helping to prepare food for Hillside’s Community Interest Catering Company, the proceeds of which go towards the running of the charity.
- Every Tuesday, she volunteers at Lowther Road Community Mental Health Centre in Hillside’s Café. Here she supports a team of recently employed service users in the running of the Café and speaks to the service users who come in to promote the work that Hillside do.
- Every Wednesday, she helps to cook a soup for Holloway Neighbourhood Group’s Over 55 Warm Space. This feeds over 30 people.
- Every Thursday, she works with the team to cover over 100 free meals for those struggling with the cost of living.
At Hillside, staff and members alike can attest to the fact that Chiann has not only volunteered consistently but through this she has transformed. Chiann’s journey reminds all of us that volunteering isn’t just about giving your time; it’s about building something stronger within yourself and your community.
Navinder Kaur, Chief Executive Officer, Voluntary Action Islington, said:
“Chiann’s commitment to those who use Hillside’s services is so heartwarming, and very touching. On the evening of the awards, it was a pleasure to meet her and for me just standing next to her, I could feel the compassion and warmth oozing out of her, as well as her enthusiasm and delight about winning, which she thoroughly deserved. She said “this is just the start!” and I know that she is going to continue to grow and transform, and we wish her all the very best for the future. Hillside Clubhouse also deserve a special mention for the way they are supporting her to build her confidence, skills and experience; they are enabling her to truly shine!
We are also incredibly proud of the winners in the other categories, Friday Bayo Osa-Emmanuel, Arachne Women’s Support Welfare Advice Volunteer Team, Sarah Drouazi, and Barbara Ford. We also want to pay homage to all Islington volunteers who do so much for others. It’s because of you that Islington is so special.
The Volunteer of the Year Awards were sponsored by Double Tree by Hilton London Angel Kings Cross, our Official Sponsor.
- The awards were presented by: HW The Mayor of Islington, Cllr Jason Jackson and
- Richard Lee, General Manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Angel King’s Cross
The full list of winners is:
| Winner | Category | Organisation volunteered for |
| Friday Bayo Osa-Emmanuel | Older Volunteer of the Year 60+ | Say it Loud Club |
| Women’s Welfare Support Advice Team | Volunteering Team of the Year | Arachne |
| Sarah Drouazi | Young Volunteer of the Year | Minority Matters |
| Barbara Ford | Pat Haynes Memorial Trustee of the Year | The Parent House |
| Chiann Wright | Volunteer of the Year 26-60 Year Old’s | Hillside Clubhouse |
Further information about the winners and commended can be found here.
Notes to editors:
Voluntary Action Islington is working for a fairer Islington by supporting community and voluntary action. It is a membership organisation for the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector of Islington and delivers volunteering services through the accredited Volunteer Centre for the borough.
Contact:
Marta Aparicio, Volunteer Services Manager, Voluntary Action Islington
marta.aparicio@vai.org.uk : 020 7832 5826
