Volunteers Week 2025: Inclusion Value awards

Our Inclusion Value award goes to Deborah Parkins and runner up, Tessa Jelen

A resident who proactively goes out of their way to role model collaboration within their neighbourhood to avoid silo working and achieve the best outcomes for their community.

This resident will embrace differences of others and creates a warm and welcoming collaborative environment, embracing new ideas to help make a difference.

Inclusion Value Award Winner, Deborah Perkins

Leaseholder Deborah Perkins has constantly challenged our thinking, communication and processes, so that L&Q is inclusive and representative around different resident experiences, based on what type of home they live in.

Deborah displayed a strong commitment to holding us to account and helping us to improve our decision making through a more inclusive lens.

By working closely with Deborah, we’re now making sure we always include what type of home we are referring to in our communications and we’re always considering the difference types of resident experiences, not only based on tenure but by different homes as well.

Inclusion Value award runner up, Tessa Jelen

Tessa has been a dedicated member for the COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Patient Advisory Group, volunteering her time to share her views on lung health with the overall aim of improving treatment and healthcare provided to those affected by related illnesses.

On the back of this, Tessa has actively led a group focused on respiratory health for the past 15 years, with Breath Easy providing local support and information on respiratory conditions and related subjects, for patients, carers, family and friends.

Tessa was also the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of her outstanding contributions and dedication to the community.

This award is a testament for the years of hard work, passion, and commitment to making a positive impact at Westminster Breathe Easy Support Group.

In addition to her commitment to help others in her local community, Tessa also has a strong desire to volunteer in our strategic opportunities to help better partnership working between L&Q and residents.

When we asked Tessa what inspired her to volunteer, she said,

"For 15 years, sending volunteers overseas, I became aware of the importance and scope of this public sector.

On retiring I became a volunteer leading and administering a Westminster respiratory support group to support and increase the membership and use my learnt skills to bridge with other local community support groups in Central London.“

To become an involved resident, register your interests.