School of Education

UNESCO RILA Affiliate artist Salma Zulfiqar, from the West Midlands U.K, is to be recognised at the Palace of Westminster with the prestigious British Citizen Award (BCA) in recognition of her extraordinary endeavours. The British Citizen Award in partnership with One Stop, is now in its ninth year and recognises exceptional individuals who positively impact their communities throughout the country. Dubbed ‘The People’s Honours’ this programme recognises true community heroes for their divergent endeavours and positive impact on society.

Salma is one of only 29 individuals to be recognised at the Palace of Westminster on 26th January 2023 and will be honoured with The British Citizen Award for Services to the Arts.  Salma will receive the coveted BCA Medal of Honour and invited to use the post-nominals BCAa as a legacy of her achievements.

Salma is a British artist and role model empowering refugees and migrant women. She developed the ground-breaking creative project, ARTconnects, to empower vulnerable girls and women in the West Midlands by promoting peace and tolerance to create a better understanding between different cultures through art, while improving mental health. 

Since 2017, ARTconnects have held over 130 workshops and events with 3,800 participants connecting different cultures and creating community cohesion across the UK. Participants experience improved self-confidence, self-pride, self-worth, and a greater sense of community, with almost all having connections with people of different religions. Salma promotes the arts and takes her creative workshops to those most in need. Through her work, creative expression and skills are used to help individuals and communities heal from collective trauma. During the pandemic, she expanded online to connect isolated women around the world to learn, exchange and create.

A large component of her work is education, where the workshops are used to spread awareness and share knowledge around gender equality, climate action, respect, diversity and the promotion of tolerance in society.  While ARTconnects has focused on female migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers, the workshops create an inclusive and safe space for all participants, gender identities, ethnicities and abilities. 

“This year’s medalists have reminded us of how many amazing people are supporting our communities, especially during such a challenging time. At One Stop we serve many communities across the country, and we know how important voluntary work is to support those in need. We're proud to be partnering with the BCA again and to play a small part in helping each medallist to be recognised. Our congratulations go to all honourees”, said Jack Taylor Head of Community Partnerships, One Stop.

The Medal presentation will be hosted by TV presenter and BCA Patron, Nick Knowles, and attended by another BCA Patron, Dame Mary Perkins, Founder of Specsavers, and The Rt Hon Lord Dholakia. The British Citizen Award (BCA) was established in 2015 to recognise exceptional individuals who work tirelessly and selflessly to make a positive impact on their communities and society.

Each medalist has a day to remember befitting their achievements. At the Palace of Westminster medals will be presented by Senior Representatives from official partner One Stop, Places for People, Specsavers, and Big Bus London, who all support this unique programme. Medalists then board an Open Top Lap of Honour tour before attending a certificate presentation at the prestigious Church House.

The British Citizen Award is widely viewed as the nation’s way of recognising extraordinary, everyday people for exceptional endeavor and are truly representative of today’s multicultural Britain. The Medal presentation is held twice annually, January and July, to nominate an outstanding individual from your community to be considered for The People’s Honours visit www.britishcitizenawards.co.uk.