Brighton duo nominated for Freedom of the City award

A council is set to award one of its highest civic honours to two people who have made “exceptional contributions”.

Brighton and Hove City Council says it will recommend giving the Freedom of the City Award to Emily Kenward, founder of Time to Talk Befriending, for “transforming the lives of thousands of older people experiencing loneliness and isolation”.

The council also plans to honour Mesfin Abraham Ghebre-Ghiorghis for his “unwavering commitment to race equality and local democracy”.

The recommendations will be considered at a special council meeting on Thursday.

Ms Kenward said she felt “incredibly honoured and thankful” to be recognised, adding: “It reflects the privilege of bringing people together in meaningful ways across the generations.”

Her charity, which was founded in 2013, has supported more than 3,500 people in Sussex and was awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024.

The council said Ms Kenward’s work had “created a lasting legacy of compassion and community connection where older people rediscover purpose and value in later life”.

Mr Ghebre-Ghiorghis, who served Brighton and Hove for 37 years as a council officer, said: “I am deeply honoured and grateful to be considered for Freedom of the City. I was not expecting it.”

He arrived in the UK in 1982 as a refugee and went on to become the council’s corporate director, principal legal adviser and monitoring officer for both the council and East Sussex Fire Authority.

“This is a city that welcomed me as a refugee four decades ago, gave me the opportunity to work alongside some fantastic councillors, officers and members of the local community,” he said.

“The award is as much a symbolic reflection of the city and its values as it is a recognition of my contribution. I will always be grateful for that.”

Since retiring, Mr Ghebre-Ghiorghis has volunteered for the Southern Hospice Group, which includes Martlets, St Barnabas and Chestnut Tree.

Council leader Bella Sankey said: “Emily’s tireless work to combat loneliness has brought dignity to thousands of otherwise isolated residents.

“Abraham’s exceptional service to the city saw our democracy thrive and rogue landlords be brought to heel.”