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Co-Founder Kevin Jenkins wins Beacon Prize for Community Builder
Kevin Jenkins OBE has been awarded the Beacon Prize for Community Builder for his work with the children and young people of Newham. This is a prestigious award recognising individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to charity work.
18 Nov 2008
Kevin is just one of six recipients of the 2008 Beacon Prize and joins the ranks of previous Beacon winners such as Sir Bob Geldof, Jamie Oliver and environmentalist, Zac Goldsmith who have all been recognised for their charitable work through what has become known as the ‘Nobel Prize of the charity world’, first coined by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Kevin co-founded Community Links in 1977 whilst still at school and grew the Children and Youth Programme from four projects that helped 150 children and young people to a £5million budget supporting 3,000 individuals aged 2 – 24 years every week. He remains at Community Links as a Senior Advisor.
In addition to his work with Community Links, Kevin has also played an instrumental role in the Newham community, influencing local council strategy on early years, play and youth; set up and supported emerging youth agencies; and fundraised for local schools. His work is so respected that he has shared best practice across the country and has also received an OBE.
Martyn Lewis, former Chairman of Beacon, who will be hosting Tuesday’s Prize Ceremony, said: “Kevin’s work in Newham is based on a strong belief that investing in our children and young people should be at the very heart of any drive to regenerate an area and build cohesion and inclusion in a community. Thousands of children and young have greater life opportunity thanks to Kevin’s work. His contribution and dedication are outstanding.”
Speaking just ahead of the prize-giving ceremony, Kevin said: “I am so pleased to receive this award. I hope it sends a message that our nation’s children and young people deserve the very best start in life. They need our help to develop and learn, and we should also remember the great contribution they can make to their communities through initiatives such as volunteering if they are only given opportunity and encouragement.”
Kevin will receive his award at a Prize Ceremony on Tuesday 18 November 2008 at ‘Room by the River’, Southbank, London, SE1. All six winners will be inaugurated as Beacon Fellows, a community of Beacon Prize winners who together champion charitable causes across the globe and nurture a wider culture of giving in the UK. The ceremony will also see the overall Beacon Prize winner announced, receiving £30,000 to donate to the charitable cause of their choice.