When Hanna Brylynska arrived in Harrow through the Homes for Ukraine scheme, she never imagined that within a year she would be shortlisted for a national Social Value Award.
After enrolling in English classes, Hanna quickly became a valued member of our Learn & Work Harrow team. In just six months, she designed and built a new digital platform that is transforming how the council delivers benefits for local residents and businesses.
Her homegrown app, SV_S106, streamlines how Harrow tracks social value outcomes such as apprenticeships, volunteering, and local business support. It saves staff time, improving accuracy, and helps make sure contractors follow the rules when bidding for work with the council.
The Social Value Awards were announced on Thursday 23 October, and while Harrow did not take home the top prize this year, being shortlisted for a national award is a remarkable recognition of Hanna’s creativity and hard work.
Councillor Norman Stevenson, Portfolio Holder for Business and Employment, said:
“Hanna’s story is a perfect example of how the Homes for Ukraine programme supports people as they settle, live, and work in Harrow - and how they, in turn, give back to our community. This is Harrow at its best.
“Being shortlisted is a fantastic recognition of the creativity and innovation in our teams. This work highlights our commitment to putting residents first, finding smarter ways of working, and improving services for local people and businesses.”
Hanna Brylynska said:
"I am proud to be part of the Learn and Work Harrow team. The freedom to explore new ideas and the support I receive here have allowed me not only to apply my skills and experience but also to develop products that make a real difference for my colleagues, our learners, and the community we serve. Being shortlisted for the Social Value Award is a wonderful recognition of what we can achieve when innovation and collaboration come together."
The council is proud to have been shortlisted for the Social Value Awards, recognising the creativity, talent, and innovation within our teams - and the positive impact this work is already having on our community.