NASSA Named As A ‘Beating Heart’ of Newham

NASSA’s work in supporting the young people of east London has been honoured at this month’s Newham Civic Awards.

We have been named as winner of the Create and Thrive Award for our work in creating impactful programmes to address community needs.

Through our mentoring work, using basketball to support the mental health of disadvantaged young people, to our educational initiatives including the Carry A Basketball Not A Blade knife crime awareness programme, NASSA positively impacts the lives of over 6,000 local young people each year.

The Newham Civic Awards shine a spotlight on the London Borough of Newham’s unsung heroes, celebrating the passion and commitment to one of the most diverse areas of the UK.

Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, said:

“Newham’s greatest strength has always been its people — their kindness, resilience, and unwavering commitment to each other.

The Newham Civic Awards are our way of celebrating the extraordinary individuals and organisations that make our borough such a vibrant, diverse, and inspiring place to live.

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees. You are the beating heart of Newham.”

The awards were presented at special evening at the historic Old Town Hall, Stratford with NASSA named as winners in one of the nine categories.

NASSA Chief Executive Natasha Hart MBE, who accepted the award on behalf of NASSA, said:

“It is always really special to be recognised by the community in which you work.

For each young person that NASSA supports, we are also helping their family, friends, peers and the community they live in.

Like all awards, this one is a team effort, so I want to say thank you to our wonderful NASSA coaches, staff and volunteers. And of course, to our young people, too.”