Hackney’s Tskenya-Sarah Frazer Wins British Citizen Award for Community Service

Key Points

• Tskenya-Sarah Frazer, a Hackney resident from London, was among 26 exceptional individuals honoured with the British Citizen Award (BCA) at the Palace of Westminster.
• The Medal Presentation occurred on Thursday, 22nd January 2026.
• Tskenya received the BCA Medal of Honour for Services to Community (BCAc) and is invited to use the post-nominals to commemorate her achievements.
• She has supported local food banks, particularly Precious Lives Food Bank, serving over 100 people weekly and distributing more than 5,000 food packages in the past two years.
• For 10 years, Tskenya has been an active community organiser in her inner-city community, uplifting others and creating lasting change.
• Her volunteering includes fundraising, organising cultural trips for young people and the elderly, and lobbying local partners and councillors for sustainable support and wraparound services for families.
• Tskenya promotes diversity and inclusion, breaking down barriers across cultural, ethnic, and social divides, fostering dialogue, and challenging biases in Hackney.
• As Chair of the local Tenants and Residents Association, she has worked with Hackney Police Ward and Council for 10 years to promote safety, advocating for transparency, accountability, and safer neighbourhoods.
• She engages in face-to-face lobbying with key local stakeholders to represent marginalised voices.
• Dame Mary Perkins, Founder of Specsavers and BCA patron, praised Tskenya as a “true unsung hero” and “shining example of what it means to be a community champion.”
• The presentation was hosted by TV and Radio presenter Konnie Huq.
• Attendees included BCA Patrons Dame Mary Perkins and The Lord Mott OBE, plus representatives from BCA supporters Specsavers, Places for People, Novus Property Solutions, and Aldermore Bank.
• Following the ceremony, medalists enjoyed an Open Top Lap of Honour tour of Westminster’s iconic sights to celebrate their contributions across UK communities.

Hackney, London (East London Times) January 28, 2026 – Tskenya-Sarah Frazer, a dedicated Hackney resident, was presented with the prestigious British Citizen Award (BCA) Medal of Honour for Services to Community at the Palace of Westminster on Thursday, 22nd January, joining 26 exceptional individuals recognised for their outstanding societal contributions.

This accolade highlights Tskenya’s decade-long commitment as a community organiser, where she has supported vital local services like Precious Lives Food Bank, serving over 100 people weekly—equating to more than 5,000 food packages distributed in the past two years alone. Her efforts extend to fundraising, organising cultural trips for the young and elderly, and lobbying councillors for sustainable family support.

Who is Tskenya-Sarah Frazer and What Has She Achieved?

Tskenya-Sarah Frazer, from Hackney in London, stands out as an active community organiser who has devoted 10 years to uplifting her inner-city neighbourhood. As detailed in the official BCA announcement, she has been instrumental in supporting local food banks, working closely with Precious Lives Food Bank to provide essential aid. This initiative serves over 100 people each week, amounting to more than 5,000 food packages over the past two years.

Her volunteering efforts go far beyond food distribution. Tskenya avidly fundraises to sustain community projects, organises cultural trips that bring together the young and elderly, and lobbies directly with local partners and councillors. These actions ensure support is sustainable, connecting entire families with wraparound services tailored to their needs.

In her leadership role as Chair of the local Tenants and Residents Association, Tskenya has collaborated with Hackney Police Ward and Council for a decade to enhance area safety. She advocates for transparency and accountability, pushing for safer neighbourhoods through persistent face-to-face engagement with stakeholders. This ensures the most marginalised voices are heard and represented effectively.

Tskenya’s passion for diversity and inclusion drives her to break down barriers across cultural, ethnic, and social divides. By encouraging dialogue and challenging biases, she fosters understanding, making Hackney a more inclusive and empathetic community.

What is the British Citizen Award and Why Was the Ceremony Held at the Palace of Westminster?

The British Citizen Award (BCA) honours individuals for their exceptional contributions to society, with recipients like Tskenya-Sarah Frazer invited to use post-nominals such as BCAc to mark their achievements. The Medal Presentation ceremony, where Tskenya received the BCA Medal of Honour for Services to Community, took place at the prestigious Palace of Westminster on Thursday, 22nd January 2026.

This location underscores the national significance of the awards, celebrating positive impacts on communities across the UK. Among the 26 honourees, Tskenya’s recognition highlights grassroots efforts in Hackney, from food bank support to safety advocacy.

How Did Tskenya Contribute to Local Food Banks and Community Support?

Tskenya-Sarah Frazer has been a driving force in her community for 10 years, particularly through her work with Precious Lives Food Bank. As noted in coverage of the event, this partnership serves over 100 people each week, delivering more than 5,000 food packages in just the past two years.

Her role extends to broader volunteering: she fundraises tirelessly, organises cultural trips for vulnerable groups like the young and elderly, and lobbies local partners and councillors. These efforts secure sustainable support, ensuring families access comprehensive wraparound services rather than isolated aid.

What Specific Work Has Tskenya Done with Hackney Police and Council?

For 10 years, Tskenya has served as Chair of the local Tenants and Residents Association, partnering with Hackney Police Ward and Council to promote safety. In this capacity, she has advocated for transparency, accountability, and safer neighbourhoods.

She is renowned for face-to-face lobbying with key local stakeholders, amplifying marginalised voices. This hands-on approach has created tangible improvements in community security and representation.

What Did Dame Mary Perkins Say About Tskenya?

Dame Mary Perkins, Founder of Specsavers and BCA patron, lauded Tskenya-Sarah Frazer effusively. As reported in the BCA statement, Dame Mary stated:

“Tskenya is a true unsung hero and a shining example of what it means to be a community champion. Their positive impact embodies real citizenship and shows just how powerful local action can be.”

She continued:

“At Specsavers, we care deeply about the communities we are part of and we believe people like Tskenya are vital to helping them thrive. Their story is genuinely inspirational, and this accolade is thoroughly deserved. Thank you for the extraordinary contribution you have made to our society.”

These remarks, attributed directly to Dame Mary Perkins via the official BCA release, emphasise Tskenya’s role as an inspirational figure in community service.

Who Hosted the Ceremony and Who Attended?

The presentation was hosted by well-known TV and Radio presenter Konnie Huq, adding a layer of prominence to the proceedings. Attendees included BCA Patrons Dame Mary Perkins, Founder of Specsavers, and The Lord Mott OBE.

Representatives from BCA supporters were also present: Specsavers, Places for People, Novus Property Solutions, and Aldermore Bank. Their participation reflects broad backing for the honourees’ work.

What Happened After the Medal Presentation?

Following the ceremony, medalists, including Tskenya-Sarah Frazer, enjoyed an Open Top Lap of Honour tour. This celebratory journey took in Westminster’s iconic sights, honouring their positive impact on communities the length and breadth of the UK.

The event capped a day of recognition, showcasing how local heroes like Tskenya contribute to national wellbeing.

Why Does Tskenya’s Work Matter for Diversity and Inclusion in Hackney?

Tskenya-Sarah Frazer is passionate about diversity and inclusion, actively working to break down barriers. Her efforts foster understanding across cultural, ethnic, and social divides by encouraging dialogue and challenging biases.

This makes Hackney a more inclusive and empathetic place, as evidenced by her sustained community leadership over 10 years.

How Can Recipients Use Their BCA Post-Nominals?

BCA recipients like Tskenya are formally invited to use post-nominals, such as BCAc for Services to Community, to commemorate their achievements. This privilege formalises their recognised status and encourages ongoing contributions.

What Broader Impact Do BCA Honourees Have Across the UK?

The 26 individuals honoured, including Tskenya-Sarah Frazer, represent outstanding contributions nationwide. The Open Top Lap of Honour tour symbolised their collective positive influence on communities throughout the UK.

Events like this, supported by patrons and organisations such as Specsavers and Places for People, highlight the power of local action in driving societal progress.

Tskenya-Sarah Frazer’s story exemplifies quiet dedication yielding profound change. From feeding hundreds weekly to championing safer streets, her 10-year journey as a Hackney community pillar earns this national honour. As Chair of her Tenants and Residents Association, her lobbying ensures voices once sidelined now shape local policy. Dame Mary Perkins’ endorsement reinforces that such unsung heroes are the bedrock of thriving neighbourhoods. The Palace of Westminster ceremony, with Konnie Huq hosting and luminaries attending, fittingly celebrated these 26 trailblazers. Their Westminster lap affirmed citizenship’s true essence: action rooted in locality, rippling nationally.