We are set to confer one of our highest civic honours on 2 individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the life of the city.
At the upcoming Special Council meeting, the council will recommend awarding the title of Honorary Freewoman of the City to Emily Kenward and Honorary Freeman of the City to Mesfin Abraham Ghebre-Ghiorghis.
The Freedom of the City Award, which is one of the highest civic honours we can bestow, recognises exceptional service or achievement that has made a significant impact on the city and its people with the Special Council meeting taking place on Thursday 18 December at 3.30pm.
Emily Kenward, founder of the charity Time to Talk Befriending, has transformed the lives of thousands of older people experiencing loneliness and isolation.
Since establishing the charity in 2013, Emily and her staff team and volunteers have supported more than 3,500 people across Brighton, Hove, Adur and Worthing offering befriending, access to regular social events, and vital emotional support.
The charity was founded based on the simple belief that everyone deserves to be seen and feel remembered, valued and connected.
Her work has created a lasting legacy of compassion and community connection where older people rediscover purpose and value in later life, again.
The charity successfully matched 630 elderly individuals with 630 volunteer befrienders providing companionship through regular calls, outings and events in 2024.
Mesfin Abraham Ghebre-Ghiorghis, known as Abraham, served Brighton & Hove for 37 years as a council officer, and is celebrated for his unwavering commitment to race equality and local democracy.
Rising from a refugee seeking asylum in 1982 to become the council’s Corporate Director, Principal Legal Adviser and Monitoring Officer, Abraham’s leadership and advocacy for Black and Global Majority communities have left an indelible mark on the city’s civic life.
Following the formation of the unitary authority, Abraham was responsible for drafting constitutions for both committee-based and cabinet-run councils. As principal legal adviser and Monitoring Officer to both the council and East Sussex Fire Authority, Abraham provided legal guidance across multiple administrations.
Abraham’s career included work on constitutional development and legal oversight within local government. His contributions ensured all residents could have their say in local democracy.
Abraham’s work also included complex housing interventions, such as making a control order and subsequent compulsory purchase order of property in the ownership of a private landlord. This was the most complex and serious housing intervention a local housing authority could make at that time and directly positively impacted the lives of residents in the city.
Since his retirement, he volunteers for the Southern Hospice Group (which includes Martlets, St Barnabas and Chestnut Tree) as a co-optee member to committees of the board of trustees.
Councillor Bella Sankey, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, said: “Emily and Abraham embody the very best of Brighton & Hove.
“Emily’s tireless work to combat loneliness has brought dignity to thousands of otherwise isolated residents. Testimonials from people who are part of the befriending network note how powerful the work of the charity is, helping them feel less alone and giving them activities to look forward to, noting friendship is a priceless gift.
“Abraham’s remarkable journey from seeking asylum to becoming the beating heart of our civic life represents everything our city and country should offer to those seeking sanctuary.
“His exceptional service to the city saw our democracy thrive and rogue landlords be brought to heel. His experience is a powerful testament to the values of equality, justice and sanctuary that define our city, especially his work in tackling housing issues.
“It is a privilege to recognise both of their extraordinary contributions with the Freedom of the City.”
In July, the council adopted a new policy for awarding the honorary title of Freedom of the City. This transparent and accessible policy sets out how nominations can be made and reflects the Council Plan priority.
The nominees are the first to be considered under the new policy.
The leaders of the political groups in the council reviewed all nominations received by the deadline in October 2025.