Lockdown hero Yasin recognised in awards
ARTS NETWORK FOUNDER TOOK SERVICE OUT IN COMMUNITY
THE owner of a community interest company based in the city has been named as joint national winner in O2’s Everyday Heroes Awards.
Yasin El Ashrafi, founder and CEO of HQ Community Art Network (CAN), has been recognised for his work supporting young musicians and creatives in the local community over the past year.
He was selected by a panel of judges from O2, in partnership with internationally renowned interior designer and entrepreneur, Kelly Hoppen CBE.
Yasin, alongside fellow national winner Emma Rigby, from Enfield’s Love Your Doorstep - who set up a delivery service to help members of the community access food and medication during the pandemic - has received a prize of £5,000.
According to O2, the award acknowledges Yasin’s work during lockdown, which saw him adapt his services to make them more accessible, creating portable studios that he drove to isolating, high risk and rural members of his community, while also making teaching available online as well as in person.
Yasin has shown his commitment to helping support young musicians and creatives, providing internships to 14 people who lost their jobs due to Covid.
As well as that, Yasin has extended the mentoring services that HQ CAN provides to offer it to more people in need as he continues to build a real network and community of creatives in the region.
Kelly said: “It’s been a real joy hearing the stories of these amazing business leaders who are so committed to supporting the community around them.
“The fact there are two joint winners shows just how difficult judging the superb finalists’ entries was. Yasin couldn’t be more worthy of the honour.
“He was instrumental in keeping the arts accessible to the young people of the Midlands. His company brought so many people together and helped provide a space for creatives at a time that this industry was somewhat neglected.”
On the award, Yasin said: It’s been a hard year for everyone in the team as we’ve conquered technology, lockdown and disconnection.
“Technology has proved invaluable in ensuring we are able to continue delivering quality support and care to the most disconnected in our community and winning the £5,000 means we’re now able to secure even more equipment for our young creatives to continue doing what they love.”
Jo Bertram, managing director, business and wholesale at Virgin
Media O2, and a judge in the contest, said: “Hearing from all of the small businesses and learning about the sheer level of support and joy they brought their communities over the last year has been truly inspiring. “Small business leaders really are the backbone of communities around the country, so to hear of their determination and motivation to keep serving their local customers is heart-warming.
“Emma and Yasin are examples of individuals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, utilising technology in order to ensure they’re offering the best level of support. They show how a sense of community really has been a lifeline for many of us.
“O2 has always helped provide small businesses with the technology and digital expertise to help them flex and adapt, improve connectivity and strengthen security, and this is more important than ever as we continue to adjust to life through the continued pandemic.”
It’s been a joy hearing the amazing stories. Yasin couldn’t be more worthy of the honour
Kelly Hoppen CBE