Care and community champions recognised for Covid pandemic work in Queen's Jubilee Birthday Honours

Tina Jegede, Nurse Lead for Care Home Quality at Islington Council and Joint Director of Race, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Whittington Health NHS Trust, will be awarded an MBE for her services for social care in Islington.

Tina has also been vocal in her role in encouraging the community to take up the Covid vaccine during the pandemic, even appearing in Islington Council’s Covid vaccine campaign in 2021.

Tina said: “I am thrilled to receive this honour. This is an acknowledgement of the hard work of every nurse and care worker in Islington; it is always a team effort.

"Ten years ago I started at Islington Council with a personal mission to ensure that the huge contribution that care homes make in the community is recognised. I have worked with extraordinary people over the years, so many of whom should share in this honour. I am so grateful for the opportunity to work for two organisations, teams and individual colleagues who have allowed me to thrive.”

Oliur Rahman, a volunteer Islington Covid Health Champion, has been recognised for his contribution to the Islington community during Covid-19, and will be awarded with a British Empire Medal. Oliur has been a keen advocate for the Covid vaccine, has regularly volunteered at local vaccine sites and has been working to help Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, which have been disproportionately affected by the virus, get the vaccine.

Oliur said: "I am so very humbled and honoured to be receiving this award. I always strive, and encourage everyone, to be positive, polite, helpful and respectful of others. I want people to continue to think seriously about the good advice given by our health professionals - we need to support each other to have the correct information and make our community safe together. As long as I have breath, I will continue to work and support the community I live in and serve. Thank you so much."

Cllr Nurullah Turan, Executive Member for Health and Social Care, said: "Tina and Oliur both exemplify the spirit of ‘Islington Together’ – working hard through difficult times to keep our community safe and care for our vulnerable residents. I applaud them both for this royal recognition, which is richly deserved."

Jonathan O'Sullivan, Acting Director for Public Health at Islington Council, said: "We are all delighted that Tina and Oliur have been recognised for their outstanding service and contribution to the community. They have worked tirelessly to protect our community from the impacts of Covid over the last two years. They are both thoroughly deserving of these great honours.”

The Queen’s Jubilee Birthday Honours List 2022 marks the incredible public service of individuals across the UK in celebration of Her Majesty’s unprecedented 70 years of service. In tribute to The Queen, recipients have been awarded for their outstanding contributions across all sectors, but in particular for sustained public service, the environment and sustainability, and youth engagement.