Hammersmith Friends awarded civic honours
'The council noted that Belinda and Christian ‘work tirelessly’ to support refugees in the area.'
Two Hammersmith Quakers received civic honours this month for their work with refugees.
Belinda Mitchell-Innes and Christian Howgill, from Hammersmith Meeting, were honoured for their monthly Ukrainian Open House, held at Hammersmith Meeting House.
Belinda Mitchell-Innes told the Friend she felt ‘overwhelmed, shocked, surprised, a bit of a fraud… OK, I was driven to start things, but, really it’s the combination of the volunteers, the people who come and the place that makes the magic happen. It’s like a Quaker Meeting. The common purpose and focus make it so much bigger than one person.’
‘I’ve also just heard that there is a nomination for the BBC London Make a Difference Award,’ she added.
The council noted that Belinda and Christian ‘work tirelessly’ to support refugees in the area. The monthly open house has become ‘renowned both in and outside the borough with Ukrainian and other guests returning again and again. The sessions are a chance for refugees to meet others and get advice from local people on subjects such as where to cash vouchers or what to do when a guest has toothache’.
The seventy-two individuals and groups were nominated by their neighbours, friends, family and colleagues.
Stephen Cowan, Hammersmith & Fulham council leader, said at the ceremony on 9 May: ‘It’s about good people coming forward and making an ever-better society, a kinder, more beautiful world where all of us bring out the best of each other.’
‘The impact of their work extends beyond the boundaries of our local area,’ said Magdalena Szklarczyk, premises manager at Hammersmith Meeting. ‘They have been mentioned twice in the Houses of Parliament for their work.’
