Kingsway Community Connections Shortlisted for Award in Glasgow 2026

Key Points

• A community organisation named Kingsway Community Connections which operates in the Scotstoun area of Glasgow has been nominated for a local prize.
• Kingsway Community Connections’ nomination has been made owing to the efforts put in by the hub’s staff and volunteers along with the community members who came together in solidarity to provide safety net in the aftermath of the unfortunate death of local 15-year-old schoolboy, Amen Teklay.
• Amen Teklay was an Eritrean refugee who was allowed to stay in the UK and was murdered in St George’s Cross on 5 March 2025 through a brutal attack using a sword.
• Two teenagers of 14 and 15 years were later released from their charges of murder in the High Court in Glasgow owing to their self-defence arguments.
• Kingsway Community Connections worked with Amen before his death, organised public vigils and served as the mouthpiece for his family during the trial proceedings.
• Steps have been taken by the family and the hub to form a foundation named after Amen to keep young boys away from violence.

Glasgow (Glasgow Express) September 7, 2026 — In a poignant tribute to community resilience, Kingsway Community Connections, a dedicated neighbourhood facility based in the west of Glasgow, has been officially shortlisted for a major award. The shortlisting recognises the extraordinary response of the organisation’s workers, volunteers, and local residents who joined forces to support one another in the wake of the catastrophic death of 15-year-old Amen Teklay. Reflecting on the solidarity displayed across the area during the crisis, a representative from the organisation observed that

“people here genuinely want to support one another, that’s what our community is all about”.

The news follows months of profound grief across the local authority area. As detailed in local press accounts by Glasgow Live, Amen Teklay lost his life on the evening of 5 March 2025 after suffering fatal injuries during a confrontation in the St George’s Cross district. The teenager, who was struck in the chest with a blade, succumbed to his injuries despite emergency medical intervention. In the months that followed, the grass-roots organisation stepped up its outreach programmes, offering practical assistance, grief counseling, and safe social spaces for young people dealing with trauma.

What were the legal findings surrounding the fatal incident?

The legal proceedings surrounding the teenager’s death reached a conclusion earlier this year at the High Court in Glasgow. As reported by journalist Lucinda Cameron of the Daily Record, two teenage boys, who were aged 14 and 15 at the time of the incident, faced charges of murder. High Court prosecutors alleged that the two accused had masked their faces, brandished weapons, chased the victim, and inflicted a lethal blade wound to his body.

However, during trial proceedings before Lord Colbeck, the jury heard contrasting testimonies regarding how the events unfolded. Defence advocate Iain McSporran KC, representing one of the accused, submitted to the court that his client had not engaged in physical violence and argued that the victim had initiated the encounter whilst armed with a weapon described as a cutlass. The primary accused lodged a formal special defence of self-defence, contending that he had reacted to an impending threat.

Following two days of jury deliberations, the panel returned a verdict of not guilty for both defendants, clearing them of the murder charge.

How did Kingsway Community Connections step forward to assist the family?

Throughout the emotional turmoil of the criminal justice process, Kingsway Community Connections maintained a constant presence alongside the victim’s relatives. As documented by reporter Libby Brooks of The Guardian, the young victim was an Eritrean refugee who had settled in Glasgow with his father and sister after receiving official leave to remain status from the Home Office. He was remembered by peers and teachers as a bright, kind student at St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School who possessed a passion for football and basketball.

Following the court’s verdict, Jamie O’Neill, a dedicated community development worker at Kingsway Community Connections, stood alongside the family outside the High Court in Glasgow to deliver an official statement. As reported by the Glasgow Times, Mr O’Neill expressed that

“today is an important and emotional day for Amen’s family, his friends, and everyone who knew him,”

adding that

“no court process can take away the pain of losing a child”.

Mr O’Neill further emphasized the core values of the teenager, stating:

“Amen was more than the circumstances of his death. He was a young man who was known, valued, and cared about by so many, and his loss has been felt deeply, not only by those closest to him, but by people across our community.

Since Amen’s death, we have seen the very best of people as they have come together to support one another through an incredibly difficult time”.

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What long-term youth initiatives are being developed in Glasgow?

In an effort to turn personal tragedy into constructive societal change, plans are underway to ensure the teenager’s legacy continues to benefit the city’s youth. As stated by Jamie O’Neill on behalf of the family, steps are being taken to establish a dedicated charity in the victim’s name.

Speaking outside the High Court, Mr O’Neill confirmed that

“in the coming months, Amen’s family will release details of a foundation that we will establish in Amen’s name”.

The foundation’s primary mission will involve

“supporting our community with a particular focus on young people and young men to follow positive paths and move away from violence that has affected so many young people across our country today”.

Local stakeholders hope that through structured youth work, mentorship, and community-led intervention, the legacy will foster

“compassion, opportunity, and positive change for future generations”.

What is the background of youth violent crime intervention in Glasgow?

Glasgow has a long and complex history regarding violent crime and community-led intervention schemes. During the early 2000s, the city was frequently cited in public statistics as having heightened levels of violent incidents, particularly among young men involved in localized territorial rivalries. In response to these structural challenges, Police Scotland, alongside local government partners, established the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) in 2005. The unit adopted a public health approach to violence, treating weapon carrying and assaults not merely as criminal justice issues, but as preventable social problems.

Over the past two decades, this public health model—which combines strict law enforcement with community youth centres, educational outreach, mentoring, and employment pathways—contributed to a significant drop in violent offences across the city. Grass-roots hubs such as Kingsway Community Connections in the Scotstoun area have served as vital components within this ecosystem. These facilities provide safe sanctuaries, recreational activities, and trusted adult mentorship for vulnerable young people, including asylum seekers and refugees who may face social isolation or difficulties integrating into new environments.

When acute crisis events occur, these hubs frequently function as immediate crisis management centres, facilitating public memorials, providing trauma support, and serving as intermediaries between local families, police, and civil authorities.

What is the prediction for local youth services and the Glasgow community?

The recognition of Kingsway Community Connections through this award nomination, coupled with the establishment of the new foundation, is likely to have several distinct effects on the targeted audience, which includes local youth, refugee communities, and grass-roots organisations across Glasgow:

• Increased Visibility and Funding for Grass-roots Hubs: The award nomination highlights the critical role played by neighborhood community centres during times of acute crisis. This public exposure is anticipated to strengthen funding arguments for similar third-sector organisations, encouraging local authorities and charitable trusts to invest more heavily in localized youth infrastructure.
• Targeted Support for Vulnerable and Refugee Youth: As Glasgow continues to welcome asylum seekers and refugee families, specialized community workers will be better positioned to offer tailored integration and safety programmes. The upcoming foundation will directly address the unique vulnerabilities faced by young male migrants, offering positive recreational alternatives to counter street violence and group exploitation.
• Enhanced Community-Led Violence Prevention: The collaborative efforts between local residents, community workers, and families are expected to reinforce the public health model of crime reduction. By focusing on early intervention and peer support rather than sole reliance on policing, the local community will likely see stronger social cohesion and a reduction in youth violence over the medium to long term.