Suchismita Majumdar, Research & Policy Officer, ESDEG
We are delighted to announce that Ms. Rahma Elmi, ESDEG’s Youth Worker who is based in Northolt Secondary School has won this year’s Youth Professional of the Year award at the Young Ealing Foundation’s Awards 2024.
In a news article by Ealing Today, reporter Leslie Bunder says “Organised by Young Ealing Foundation (YEF), the Young Ealing Foundation Awards take place on 19 September 2024 at Grade II listed ECC, the former Odeon cinema on Northfields Avenue. The event brings the local community together to recognise and celebrate the borough’s young people and those who support them.”
The awards are presented across two categories – the first one is for young people under 25 years of age and the second is for groups, organisations, charities, projects and individuals who support children and young people in Ealing.
The report further quotes Tanya Taylor, head of communications and business development at Young Ealing Foundation saying: “We’ve been blown away by the standard of nominees for this year’s awards.” Ms Taylor further added: “Every single person and organisation on the shortlist is making an incredible impact on the local community here in our borough. The awards ceremony will be our chance to come together and celebrate their fantastic achievements and everyone shortlisted will receive a certificate on the night.”
This year the competition has been fierce with ten nominations in the Youth Professional category. But we are glad to report that Ms. Elmi won the award, a much-deserved recognition for her passion, dedication, and hard work.
In Ms. Elmi’s words “I am extremely overwhelmed that I have won and feel the award is for all students in Northolt high school and I am grateful to be in a position to support them in the journey of school and life.”
Ms. Elmi has experience of working with children and young people for 17 years, she worked in a primary school for 14 years, has been a consultant with a charity that supported youth who are in prisons and their families for 3 years before joining ESDEG. At ESDEG she has been the Supplementary Schooling Coordinator before taking up position as a Youth Worker.
As a Youth Worker, Rahma mentors the students on a one-to-one basis at the school. Recently Rahma has been doing a lot of work on students’ mental health.
Ms. Elmi’s is available at Northolt Secondary School from Monday 1 p.m. onwards till Thursday 2.30 p.m. She works with the children as a mentor and the best way to get in touch with her is to drop her an email at relmi@northolthigh.org.uk. You are sure to be greeted by her wide smile and happy face!
