Meet our everyday Kings and Queens

The Victoria, Victoria Westminster and Whitehall Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) invite you to thank our local heroes, who continually support our community but went above and beyond during the pandemic through their acts of kindness.

Read their stories and help us to celebrate our everyday Kings and Queens.

Claudette Dawkins – Primary Services Manager and Head Chef at The Passage

The Victoria, Victoria Westminster and Whitehall BIDs honour this everyday Queen and the team at The Passage. As Head Chef at The Passage for 21 years, she has seen the charity overcome many challenges, however with the pandemic, she admits ‘it was a whole different ballgame’ and an incredibly testing time for the whole team.  During lockdown, The Passage set up a Food Hub to provide healthy and nutritious meals to homeless people temporarily living in emergency accommodation to keep them safe from Covid-19. The Food Hub was a huge operation – preparing, packing, and delivering 320 food parcels every day. This would include a freshly prepared hot meal, with breakfast, snacks, hot drinks and lunchtime sandwiches for the following day. The whole operation was overseen by Claudette who ran an incredibly tight ship; with expert efficiency and planning the Food Hub delivered a total of 61,637 meals during lockdown. Claudette worked hard, every single day, not once complaining and always prepared for anything. It’s because of her commitment and dedication that 320 homeless people received three delicious and healthy meals seven days a week over several months.

Stefanie Hardy – General Manager of the Park Plaza Hotel

The Victoria, Victoria Westminster and Whitehall BIDs honour this everyday Queen and the team at the Park Plaza Hotel – Victoria. Stefanie and her team opened the hotel’s doors during the pandemic to first responders, for an initiative that was set up in collaboration with the BID. The initiative provided respite space for all local essential first responder workers during shifts and an area of rest and recuperation along with facilities, refreshments, and catering.

Father Alan Gyle – Vicar of St Paul’s Knightsbridge

The Victoria, Victoria Westminster and Whitehall BIDs honour this everyday King, Father Alan Gyle from St. Paul’s Knightsbridge. In partnership with Simon Mantle from Grosvenor, Father Alan helped to create the Belgravia Tea Party during lockdown. The original purpose of the group was to bring those people who were on their own, members of the congregation and residents together to have a daily catch up. The initiative was a great success and grew to join businesses together. It allowed people in Victoria and the surrounding areas to share ideas and support each other throughout the pandemic. Father Alan is also very much seen as the pillar of the community. He has carried out a large amount of work surrounding mental health including organising training programmes for the community.

Carl Konadu – CEO of 2-3 Degrees

The Victoria, Victoria Westminster and Whitehall BIDs honour this everyday King and the team at 2-3 Degrees. Carl is cofounder of 2-3 Degrees, a social enterprise that inspires and equips young people with the personal development skills they need for the future through inspirational programmes and workshops. In just four years they’ve worked with over 5,000 young people across the UK and particularly in Westminster where their flagship programme Mastering My Future has taken place. During the first national lockdown, 2-3 Degrees offered free weekly online ‘Stay Ready’ workshops, such as staying positive, self-mental health and, in partnership with companies including Microsoft, Google, TikTok and local organisations. Carl and his hard work were also recognised in the New Year’s 2021 Honours List. See more about 2-3 Degrees here.

Ahmed Mohamed  – Victoria BID & Victoria Westminster BID Security Officer

The Victoria, Victoria Westminster and Whitehall BIDs honour this everyday King and his colleagues at the Victoria Safety Officers Team. Day to day, the team conduct patrols across the districts dealing with Anti-Social Behaviour and drug related offences, supporting businesses and working closely alongside with Met police. Ahmed and his colleagues predominantly focus on engaging with the street population and working in partnership with businesses across the district to prevent crime. This role was vital during the Covid-19 pandemic in helping ensure the safety of the areas.

Mary Doogan – Cluster General Manager of DoubleTree by Hilton Victoria

The Victoria, Victoria Westminster and Whitehall BIDs honour this everyday Queen and the team at DoubleTree by Hilton – Victoria. Mary and her team opened their doors to first responders during the pandemic, for an initiative that was set up in collaboration with the BID. First responders were able to use their premises for a rest area, toilet facilities, charging points and hot refreshments.

Victor Iredia – Volunteer at The Passage

The Victoria, Victoria Westminster and Whitehall BIDs honour this everyday King and the team at The Passage. Victor started volunteering for The Passage in 2019 working in the Resource Centre kitchen. During lockdown Victor was there when The Passage needed him most. When the Resource Centre kitchen was converted into the Food Hub, Victor opted to volunteer there every single day. He learnt the operation inside out and became Head Chef Claudette’s right-hand man. He would manage each workstation ensuring that all other 20 volunteers knew exactly what they were doing and had any refreshments or breaks that they may need, allowing the chefs time to place orders and check stock for the following days. When the Passage received deliveries from suppliers – he would arrive early to help unload the vans, replenish the kitchen and ensure everything was stored in the right place in time for the shift to start. Not only did he always go the extra mile, but he always had a smile for his fellow volunteers, even during the most chaotic times.

Sarah Nicholls – Youth Club Manager at St Andrew’s Club

The Victoria, Victoria Westminster and Whitehall BIDs honour this everyday Queen and the team at St Andrew’s Club. Throughout the pandemic, and during lockdowns, Sarah and the team of youth workers made significant adjustments to the Club’s programme of activities and engagement with their young members. Over 73% of the Club’s 700 members come from Westminster and over 69% live in social housing, many on tight family budgets. Covid-19 adaptions included the delivery of online activities – “Virtual Andrew’s, planning and delivery of physical activities at the Club when allowed, with ‘bubble systems’ and risk assessments in place, liaison and check-in phone calls, plus regular delivery of food and activity packs to members and their families. The youth workers also had regular contact with the local Bessborough Family Hub and Integrated Gangs and Exploitation Unit over young people of concern. Throughout the pandemic, their primary objective was to continue enriching young lives through the flexible work of the youth club.

Sergeant Steven Sheehan – British Transport Police

The Victoria, Victoria Westminster and Whitehall BIDs honour this everyday King and the British Transport Police team in Victoria. During the pandemic, BTP officers were tasked with passenger safety across the transport hub in Victoria Mainline Station and Victoria Underground Station. BTP supported rail operators and key workers making their journeys across the rail network in the area. Officers also patrolled the stations, supporting railway staff and reminding the public of the urgent need to follow government advice.

Simon Mantle – Associate Director, Property Management at Grosvenor Britain & Ireland

The Victoria, Victoria Westminster and Whitehall BIDs honour this everyday King from Grosvenor. In partnership with Father Alan, from St Paul’s Knightsbridge, Simon helped to create the Belgravia Tea Party during lockdown. The original purpose of the group was to bring those people who were on their own, members of the congregation and residents together to have a daily catch up. The initiative was a great success and grew to join businesses together and allowed people in Victoria and the surrounding areas to share ideas and support each other throughout the pandemic.

Antonios Kapellas – Victoria BID & Victoria Westminster BID Security Officer

The Victoria, Victoria Westminster and Whitehall BIDs honour this everyday King and his colleagues at the Victoria Safety Officers Team. Day to day, the team conduct patrols across the districts dealing with Anti-Social Behaviour and drug related offences, supporting businesses and working closely alongside with Met police. Antonios and his colleagues predominantly focus on engaging with the street population and working in partnership with businesses across the district to prevent crime. This role was vital during the Covid-19 pandemic in helping ensure the safety of the area.

Maria Silva – Lead Assessment & Resettlement Coordinator at Passage House Assessment Centre

The Victoria, Victoria Westminster and Whitehall BIDs honour this everyday Queen and the team at Passage House Assessment Centre (PHAC). Maria has been at PHAC for 3 years. When she arrived, they were just starting to adapt from being a hostel to a first of its kind, Assessment Centre. With her wealth of knowledge and experience, Maria led the team to achieve the highest number of positive outcomes ever. With patience and determination, she trained staff individually and as a team to increase their knowledge and skills. She is always on hand for advice and guidance and has challenged the toughest local authorities to ensure each client receives all they are entitled to with their housing. When the outbreak of COVID-19 began, the challenge was to continue her work as best as possible. Maria had the opportunity to work from home at least for part of the week to reduce the numbers of staff in the office and because most of her work could be done from home. Despite her own worries about COVID, she felt she would be more productive and supportive to others by being at the project full time. By doing so, she amazingly managed to move some clients on and helped staff and clients get through the most difficult months.

Scott Hamilton – Community Intervention Worker at The Passage

The Victoria, Victoria Westminster and Whitehall BIDs honour this everyday King and the team at The Passage. Scott has worked at the Passage for over 3 years, initially as part of the Westminster Outreach Team and subsequently as part of the Community Intervention Team (CIT) for the past 2 years. He has been an integral part of the CIT, working closely with his colleagues and other agencies to deliver daytime street engagements to help people into services and access support. During lockdown Scott lived on site. As the CIT were unable to continue to do their street shifts, he moved across to support the work of the Food Hub team, collecting and delivering food parcels and meals across Westminster to those who had been placed into hotels. Scott helped tirelessly, at points working six-day weeks, stepping in when people were unable to come in for their shifts, making sure that those meals were delivered. And all of this with good humour and a real willingness to do whatever was needed to make sure things got done.

Dayrickson Winkler – Back of House Porter at St. James’ Court Hotel

The Victoria, Victoria Westminster and Whitehall BIDs honour this everyday King from St. James’ Court Hotel. Dayrickson joined the hotel as an agency worker in March 2020, just before lockdown. At a time when there was so much uncertainty, especially in hospitality (due to close contact) employees were understandably apprehensive to travel, Dayrickson volunteered to work and has been working diligently ever since. Dayrickson has been the backbone of the Back of House department at St. James’ Court Hotel. His job has always been important to maintain hygiene and cleanliness in the hotel, but it was significantly more important during the pandemic. Dayrickson volunteered to stay in the hotel sacrificing his family and personal life. His colleagues say it is a sheer pleasure to work with him as he wears a smile from ear to ear and has a great attitude towards his job and his colleagues. Dayrickson proactively volunteers to assist and help other departments as and when required.

Adrian – Deputy Youth Club Manager at St Andrew’s Club

The Victoria, Victoria Westminster and Whitehall BIDs honour this everyday King and the team at St Andrew’s Club. Throughout the pandemic, including during lockdowns, Adrian and the team of youth workers made significant adjustments to the Club’s programme of activities and engagement with their young members. Over 73% of the Club’s 700 members come from Westminster and over 69% live in social housing, many on tight family budgets. Covid-19 adaptions included the delivery of online activities – “Virtual Andrew’s, planning and delivery of physical activities at the Club when allowed, with ‘bubble systems’ and risk assessments in place, liaison and check-in phone calls, plus regular delivery of food and activity packs to members and their families. The youth workers also had regular contact with the local Bessborough Family Hub and Integrated Gangs and Exploitation Unit over young people of concern. Throughout the pandemic, Adrian and the team’s primary objective was to continue enriching young lives through the flexible work of the youth club.

PC Leo Chapman – Victoria Business Team

The Victoria, Victoria Westminster and Whitehall BIDs honour this everyday King and his colleagues at the Victoria Business Team. Day to day, the team conduct patrols across the District dealing with Anti-Social Behaviour and drug related offences, working closely alongside the BID security team. PC Leo and his team predominantly focus on engaging with the street population and working in partnership with social care services to redirect vulnerable individuals to accommodation. This role was vital during the Covid-19 pandemic in helping prevent a wider spread of the virus.