Kent awards celebrate wellbeing champions

The people, organisations and initiatives delivering projects to improve mental health and wellbeing in the region were recognised at the 2024 Kent Mental Wellbeing Awards.

Fifty winners and 20 champions from across Bexley, Bromley, Kent and Medway were announced at the ceremony held at Ashford International Hotel on Friday 25 October.

The event, staged by Mind in Bexley, was hosted by Nicola Everett from kmfm and Simon Dolby from Mind in Bexley, and featured VIP speaker Hari Budha Magar, a champion of disability and veterans rights.

Keynote speeches were delivered by the Lady Colgrain, Lord-Lieutenant of Kent, and Paul Bartlett, Chairman of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee at Kent County Council.

A raffle on the evening raised over £1000 for the Mental Health Bank, an innovation run by Revival Food and Mood in Whitstable, which aims to transform mental wellbeing in the community through the provision of complementary wellbeing therapies.

This year the number of nominations increased by 55% to 350 submissions. Each nominee was carefully evaluated and chosen by a diverse, independent panel of 12 judges from across the region, ensuring that only the most deserving individuals and organisations were honoured.

The judging panel included representatives from Kent County Council, Kent Community Foundation, Optyma Security, ADM Computing, National Grid GrainLNG, Medway Council, Cactus Graphics, Blé Global, Wave Community Bank, and CommunityAd.

“It’s crucial to recognise the outstanding work being done in the mental health and wellbeing,” said Chairman of the judging panel, Simon Dolby. “The Kent Mental Wellbeing Awards are our way of celebrating those who have been instrumental in driving progress in mental health and wellbeing across the region.”

Dr. David Palmer, CEO of Mind in Bexley and East Kent, emphasised the growing importance of mental health support: “Now more than ever, mental health services are critical. The challenges posed post pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis, rising poverty, financial stress and global political upheavals have severely impacted public mental health.

“Many individuals and families live with the impacts of mental anxieties and stresses everyday – they can be hugely debilitating so accessible support and local networks must be clearly and readily in place whenever someone feels they need that vital extra help or connection.

“These annual awards are important in highlighting innovative and successful local interventions, as well as the inspirational stories of organisations, services, individuals and residents who have worked tirelessly to make a difference in their communities. These remarkable people have shown dedication to improving mental health, and their contributions are truly commendable.

“They have come forward and played a key role in reducing stigma and improving mental health outcomes for many across Kent. Their achievements not only inspire us, but challenge us to contribute towards building a better community with improved mental health for all.”

The 20 Kent Champions are:

• Kent Community Fundraiser – Sarah Frow, University of Kent
• Kent Innovation Champion – Ageing Without Children East Kent
• Kent Business Wellbeing Champion – Amy Hopper, TOA Group
• Kent Wellbeing Service Delivery Champion – Alex Richardson, Keep Talking Services
• Kent Wellbeing Staff Champion – Blossom Homecare Canterbury
• Kent Wellbeing School Staff Champion – Emily Cooper, Wentworth Primary
• Kent Sports Champion – Sports Connect UK
• Kent Counsellor of the Year – Dolores Fernandez, Family Matters Gravesend
• Kent Community Champion – Defibs for Dover
• Kent Wellbeing Space of the Year – Willowbank Education Bee Free on the Farm
• Kent Wellbeing Ambassador – Hypo Hounds
• Kent Pastoral Care Champion – North Borough Junior School
• Kent Disability Champion – Bright Shadow
• Kent Volunteer of the Year – John Churcher, Mid Kent Mind
• Kent Veteran of the Year – Steve Craddock
• Kent Public Sector Wellbeing Champion – Mental Health First Aiders for Staff, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
• Kent Kindness Champion – Harry James, Owen Edwards, Nathan Pennock
• Kent Wellbeing Partnership Project – My Birth Support CIC & Route 23
• Kent Suicide Prevention Project – Southeastern, Pass It On
• Kent Mental Health Leader of the Year – Keji Moses, Mayah’s Legacy

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Dr David Palmer, the CEO of Mind in Bexley and East Kent, by Lady Colgrain, Lord-Lieutenant of Kent, and Dr Anjan Ghosh of Kent County Council.

For social media coverage of the awards follow @KentMWAwards on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).

To view photos from the awards event visit our Flickr gallery here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBPoBX 

To find out more about the annual awards, please visit: www.kentmentalwellbeingawards.org.uk