The incredible achievements of residents and the council’s delivery partners are celebrated each year at the Adult Community Learning Awards. The ceremony takes place at Woolwich Town Hall every summer and 2026 is the fourth year.
Each of the council’s adult learning delivery partners are invited to nominate their Learner of the Year and their Staff Member of the Year. The awards celebrate achievement and improvement, and recognise excellent and inspiring teaching. This year, the new category of Mayor’s Young Learner was introduced to recognise the accomplishments of those aged 19 to 24.
Cabinet Member for Economy, Town Centres and Co-operatives opened the ceremony and joined the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Greenwich in presenting winners with their certificates.
There are always many inspirational stories shared at the awards. Previous winners have included learners who started their journey with one of our delivery partners and have gone on to become tutors themselves. Others have completed creative writing courses and used their new skills to write meaningful family histories and biographies.
Councillor Asli Mohammed, Cabinet Member for Economy, Town Centres and Co-operatives said:
“Hearing about the achievements of our learners and the dedicated staff who support them was very touching. Adult learning has opened doors for so many residents leading to new qualifications, better job prospects and increased wellbeing. It was a wonderful evening and I’m immensely proud of the high-quality services offered by our team and delivery partners.”
Councillor David Gardner, Mayor of the Royal Borough of Greenwich said:
“I am delighted by the introduction of Mayor’s Young Learner. All the young people nominated were exceptional and it was not easy to select the winners. Listening to the inspirational stories at the ceremony, it is clear adult learning has a profoundly positive impact on the lives of so many and long may it continue. Congratulations to everyone involved.”
The council works in partnership with the Greater London Authority, using funding provided by the Mayor of London, to provide life-changing educational opportunities to local residents. Figures from 2025 released by City Hall show that adult learning is delivering powerful economic and social outcomes for learners across the capital. Over 77,000 London learners moved into new jobs, progressed at work, or continued onto further study. Those in work saw a 9 per cent rise in pay, while 94 per cent of people who completed adult learning reported improvements to their wellbeing and confidence.
2026 Learners of the Year
Abdelmonem Elameen Hashim nominated by Community Systems
Farhat Rukui Amiri nominated by TiEGr
Mason Dellimore nominated by the Training Place of Excellence
Penn Battersby nominated by London South East Colleges
Sarah Finch nominated by Global Solution Services
Shehzad Azram nominated by GCDA
Susie Kallai nominated by Unity Works
Urelles Zely Massanga nominated by UCRA
Yukesh Rai nominated by Flower Skills
2026 Staff Members of the Year
Anton Harper nominated by Community Systems
Cas Callender nominated by UCRA
Brunilda Aliaj nominated by the Training Place of Excellence
Felicia Okoro nominated by Unity Works
Georgia Hunt nominated by GCDA
Jason Bodimeade nominated by Flower Skills
Jhanelle Mussenden nominated by Global Solution Services
Suzel Braz nominated by London South East Colleges
Tara Edwards nominated by TiEGr
2026 Mayor’s Young Learner of the Year
Jessica Clark nominated by GCDA and Unity Works
2026 Mayor’s Young Learner – Highly Commended
Amy Su nominated by London South East Colleges
Amina Mayanja Zawedde nominated by UCRA
Anjel Duncan nominated by TiEGr
Yamile Clavijo nominated by the Training Place of Excellence
Read the full press release on the Royal Borough of Greenwich's website.
Don’t miss your chance to take part in the awards and start your learning journey. Find a course to suit you today.