The Harrow Heroes awards, organised annually by Harrow Council, took place last week, celebrating individuals who make outstanding contributions to the community.
The highest accolades this year went to Bipin Dattani, who took home both the Health and Wellbeing Award and the Volunteer of the Year Award.
Dattani’s dedication to raising awareness about diabetes and promoting digital inclusion has had a lasting impact, especially among older adults in Harrow.
Speaking with Harrow Online, Dattani reflected on his double-victory and shared insights into his work and future plans.
1. How did it feel to win both the Health and Wellbeing Award and Volunteer of the Year?
“Winning both awards at the Harrow Heroes event was an incredible and humbling experience. Receiving the Health and Wellbeing Award validated our work with the Diabetes Community Club and stroke survivors, while being named Volunteer of the Year 2024 was truly overwhelming. These awards reflect the collective efforts of many dedicated individuals and organisations who have supported our initiatives.
“Winning these awards was truly humbling and deeply gratifying. What truly moves me is the opportunity to help digitally excluded people and those living with diabetes. I’m committed to making a difference in their lives, and that commitment drives me every day. The real reward comes from witnessing the life transformations of those we assist.
“While the recognition is deeply appreciated, it also highlights the need for sustained funding to continue and expand our work.”
2. What was the most memorable moment of the awards ceremony for you?
“The most unforgettable moment was hearing my name called for the second time as Volunteer of the Year. It was a surreal experience that underscored the impact of our work in the community. While the ceremony was a wonderful experience, my most memorable moments actually come from our day-to-day work. I find deep fulfilment in seeing someone send their first email to a grandchild or successfully manage their diabetes through our programs. These small victories are what truly stick with me.
“The joy on a participant’s face when they connect with family via video call for the first time or understand how to use digital tools to monitor their health—these are the moments that fuel my passion and commitment to this work.
“The Mayor of Harrow’s personal pledge of support was also incredibly meaningful, as it opens doors for potential funding and partnerships.”
3. Can you share what inspired you to start the Diabetes Community Club and your volunteer work?
“My journey began with digital inclusion work for Lions Clubs International in 2003 and continued for Age UK in 2013, but it was in April 2020 that I focused on Harrow, encouraged by the NHS and Good Things Foundation. Harrow’s high diabetes rates motivated us to create the Diabetes Community Club, emphasising lifestyle changes and peer support. In June 2023, we expanded our focus to include stroke survivors, starting with a presentation at ParkLife Café that led to the creation of the Bridging the Blues programme. What sets our programs apart is their focus on building lasting friendships and ongoing community engagement.
“My inspiration comes from a genuine desire to improve lives and create positive change in our community. I’m deeply committed to helping those who are digitally excluded or living with diabetes. Every time I see someone gain confidence in using technology or take control of their health, it reinforces my dedication. The transformations I witness—from isolation to connection, from confusion to understanding—give me an immense sense of satisfaction. It’s not just about teaching skills; it’s about empowering people to lead fuller, healthier lives. That’s what drives me every day.
“Here are some highlights from the first of many Graduation Parties we had organised, demonstrating the significant and life-transforming impact of our work on Harrow residents:
“Several more celebration parties were supported by three successive Mayors of Harrow, helping to award 360 Graduation certificates altogether since April 2020.”
4. How has your digital inclusion work impacted the people you’ve helped, especially older individuals?
Our digital inclusion work has been transformative, particularly for older adults previously isolated from online services. With an estimated 25,000–30,000 digitally excluded people in Harrow, the impact is significant. Participants gain confidence in using technology for healthcare, social connections, and accessing community resources. This work is increasingly crucial as the NHS moves towards digital interfaces.
To reach more people, we’re seeking funding to expand our programmes, train more volunteers, and provide necessary equipment. We’re exploring partnerships with organizations like Age UK and local businesses to create a sustainable funding model that allows us to serve more of Harrow’s digitally excluded population.
5. What’s next for you after winning these two prestigious awards?
“These awards have energized our mission to expand across Harrow. We’re focusing on recruiting more volunteers, particularly through Patient Participation Groups at local GP surgeries. Our vision is to train volunteers to deliver digital inclusion classes and the Diabetes Community Club program in their communities. We’re also excited about the growth of our stroke survivor support initiatives, which began in June 2023 with the Bridging the Blues programme. This 12-week program, conducted by the NHS at Harrow Leisure Centre, is now followed by weekly meetings at ParkLife Café in Harrow Weald.
“A significant development is the merging of our weekly meetings for people living with diabetes and stroke survivors, now called “Healthy Lifestyle Peer-Support Group Meetings.” This integration makes sense as both groups share similar goals of maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, and stress management. By combining these cohorts, we’re creating a more diverse and supportive environment where participants can share experiences and learn from each other.
“To achieve our expansion goals, we’re developing a comprehensive 2–3 year funding proposal to present to potential partners, including local authorities, health trusts, and charitable foundations. We aim to secure sustained funding that will allow us to scale our programmes, reach more residents, and create a more connected and healthier Harrow.
“With the Mayor’s support and growing recognition, we’re optimistic about forming the partnerships necessary to make digital inclusion and health education accessible to all Harrow residents who need it. Our ultimate goal is to create a model that can be replicated across other communities, making a lasting impact on health outcomes and digital literacy.”
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
Harrow Online reaches hundreds of thousands of readers each month and has a social media audience of more than 200,000 followers.
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