Together As One Celebrated at the #OneSlough Awards 2025
Together As One (TAO) was proud to be recognised in a variety of ways at the annual #OneSlough Awards, held on Friday 14 November at the Hilton London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5. The evening, organised by Slough CVS, brought together community organisations, volunteers and partners from across the borough to celebrate the people and projects that make a real difference in Slough.
The awards highlighted the dedication and impact of Slough’s voluntary and community sector. We were honoured to see the commitment of our volunteers, trustees, staff and partners recognised during such a special evening.
Young Volunteer of the Year: Juwayriya Mehmood
One of the highlights of the evening was Juwayriya Mehmood being named Young Volunteer of the Year. Juwayriya is an incredibly committed volunteer who has made a meaningful contribution to Together As One’s work through her consistent and generous volunteering.
Juwayriya has given 219 hours across 65 sessions, demonstrating an impressive level of dedication. Much of her volunteering has taken place in schools, where she has supported and helped lead training sessions with children and young people in both primary and secondary settings.
Through this work, Juwayriya has helped young people explore important topics around identity, respect and community. She approaches her volunteering with maturity, enthusiasm and a genuine desire to make a positive difference. Her willingness to learn, take responsibility and support others has made her a valued member of the team.
This award recognises not only the number of hours Juwayriya has volunteered, but also the care, professionalism and commitment she brings to every session. We are incredibly proud of her achievement and grateful for the contribution she continues to make.
Juwayriya with youth worker, Aida Ahmed. Picture by Emma Sheppard
Recognising 25 Years of Commitment: Janet Morgan
The evening also provided an opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary contribution of Janet Morgan, a long-standing trustee of Together As One and our current Treasurer. Janet has been a trustee for over 25 years, supporting the organisation throughout its growth and development.
For much of this time, Janet has also taken on the vital role of Treasurer. This is a position that carries significant responsibility and can be challenging to sustain in the voluntary sector. That Janet has fulfilled this role for so long, with such care and diligence, speaks volumes about her integrity and commitment.
Behind the scenes, Janet’s contribution is immense. She ensures that the organisation meets the highest standards of financial accountability, carefully overseeing transactions and providing reassurance that TAO is being managed responsibly. Even during busy periods or while away, Janet has always made time to ensure the organisation can continue to operate smoothly.
Beyond her formal responsibilities, Janet brings wisdom, warmth and stability. She engages openly with younger volunteers and trustees, building strong relationships across generations and modelling what long-term service to the community looks like in practice. Her guidance has been invaluable during challenging moments and her steady presence continues to shape the organisation today.
Leader of SBC, Cllr Dexter Smith presents TAO Treasurer Janet Morgan with her award. Picture by Emma Sheppard
Best Partnership Award for the Third Consecutive Year
Together As One was delighted to receive the Best Partnership Award for the third year in a row, reflecting the importance we place on collaboration and working effectively with others.
In 2023, our partnership with the Violence Reduction Unit was recognised for the delivery of the Hospital Navigators Scheme, which supported young people at times of crisis. In 2024, we were nominated for our work alongside Slough Borough Council, strengthening support for local communities.
This year, the award was given to Boost, a project that supports young people to develop confidence, resilience and positive pathways for the future. Boost is a strong example of what can be achieved when organisations work together with shared values and a clear focus on young people’s needs.
Winning this award for a third consecutive year is a significant achievement and reflects the dedication of our staff, volunteers and partners, as well as the strength of the relationships we continue to build across Slough.
A Special Moment of Recognition
The evening also included a special moment for Together As One’s Chief Executive Officer, Rob Deeks, who was invited to present a #OneSlough Award to Kulbir Brar, the retiring Community and Diversity Officer for Thames Valley Police.
In his speech, Rob thanked Slough CVS for providing a platform to celebrate the people who make TAO’s work possible. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to recognise both our amazing volunteers, such as Juwayriya and Janet, and our dedicated partners like Kulbir, whose collaborations with the voluntary sector have been vital to the borough.
TAO CEO Rob Deeks and SCVS CEO Asma Aziz present Kulbir Brar BEM with the #OneSlough Award. Picture by Emma Sheppard
Thank You to Our Volunteers, Partners and Supporters
The One Slough Awards 2025 were a powerful reminder of the strength and generosity that exists within Slough’s communities. We are grateful to Slough CVS for organising such a meaningful event and to everyone who continues to support Together As One.
These awards reflect not only individual achievements, but the collective effort of our volunteers, trustees, staff and partners, past and present. Together, you make our work possible and help us continue building a more connected and inclusive Slough for all.