Hoden Mohamoud’s impact can be seen in the difference she quietly makes in the lives of others. It is there in the parent who feels listened to, the child who feels welcome and the volunteer who knows their contribution matters.
Born and raised in Tower Hamlets, Hoden is proud of her Somali heritage and the community that shaped her. As a mother of four, she understands first-hand both the joys and challenges of raising a family.
That lived experience, alongside her compassion and authenticity, helps her build trusting relationships with the families she supports. Parents see someone who understands their lives, listens without judgement and wants to help.
Hoden first joined the Women’s Inclusive Team, known as WIT, as a volunteer, offering her time because she wanted to make a difference. Even then, she was the person who stayed behind after an event, offered help before being asked and quietly got on with whatever needed doing.
Recognising her commitment and natural ability to connect with people, WIT offered her a position as a Project Worker. She coordinated individual and corporate volunteering programmes, making sure volunteers felt welcomed and that their efforts brought lasting benefits to the community.
Whether organising corporate teams to transform WIT’s preschool, helping improve community spaces, preparing food for the community kitchen or supporting local events, Hoden brought people together. She helped everyone feel they were contributing to something meaningful.
Alongside this, she became an integral part of WIT’s social media team. Through engaging content and authentic storytelling, she helped raise the organisation’s profile and ensure more women and families knew where to find support.
Her dedication and leadership led to her promotion to Children and Young People Lead. In this role, she oversees five projects supporting children, young people and families across Tower Hamlets. With greater responsibility, she has remained the same approachable, humble and caring person.
One of her proudest achievements has been leading WIT’s Little Explorers, a pilot Stay and Play project for families with children aged up to six who have special educational needs and disabilities.
Understanding how isolating life can be for parents of children with additional needs, Hoden worked to create a welcoming space where families could feel safe, understood and supported.
More than 80 parents and children attended the first session. For us, that response reflected the trust families already had in Hoden and showed how much this support was needed within the community.
The qualities that helped bring those families through the door are evident in her everyday work. She has a warmth that puts people at ease. Children naturally gravitate towards her, parents trust her and volunteers enjoy working alongside her because she makes them feel valued.
Colleagues know she will step forward when help is needed. Whether mentoring a new member of staff, supporting another team or helping at an event, she brings the same willingness to contribute.
Her journey from local volunteer to leading services for children and families is particularly inspiring for young women in Tower Hamlets. It shows what can happen when talent is recognised, opportunities are created and someone remains committed to serving the community that raised them.
Hoden has become a role model through the example she sets each day. Her leadership is grounded in relationships: listening carefully, recognising when someone needs encouragement and helping people feel comfortable enough to ask for support.
Recognition has never been what motivates her. She shows up because she cares and gives her time because she believes in her community.
For the children, parents, volunteers and colleagues whose lives she has touched, Hoden has already made a lasting difference. Much of her contribution happens quietly, but its value is felt every day.
She deserves recognition for the care she brings to this work and the trust she has built. Through her service, families in Tower Hamlets have found support, understanding and someone they know they can turn to.