ITV Meridian’s Sangeeta Bhabra hosted the ceremony at the Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone.
Mental Health Resource provides safe spaces and mental health support for more than 950 people who have complex long-term mental health conditions which mean that they struggle with low self-esteem and lack skills to manage stressful life events.
The charity is based at 2A Grosvenor Park, where it runs The Hub, a wellbeing centre which offers a wide variety of activities three days a week, including art and craft groups, needlework, an allotment, swimming and IT.
The Hub also hosts Mental Health Resource’s Serenity Café, an out-of-hours service which runs on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons.
The charity also offers a Reachout programme for adults and young people across West Kent.
These fortnightly outreach sessions are held in Tunbridge Wells, Southborough, Tonbridge, Paddock Wood, Sevenoaks and Edenbridge.
And its Assert service gives free, confidential advocacy for people who have been detained under the Mental Health Act, or are subject to its restrictions in the community.
It also organises training workshops for local businesses, schools and organisations to promote wellbeing.
Jen Williams, Mental Health Resource’s Fundraising Manager, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for our small charity and helps us continue to shine a light on mental health awareness.
“Our staff and volunteers work tirelessly to reach those in our community with long-term mental illness, so to have this recognition for their hard work is invaluable.”
Mental Health Resource was nominated in its category alongside Spadework, a charity in Offham which gives training and work experience to more than 90 people with learning difficulties and other disabilities.
The trainees develop independence and personal skills through social interaction, growing plants and food that are sold in Spadework’s Garden Centre, café and farm shop, making items in craft and woodwork, and providing IT training.
George Harvey was named as Trustee of the Year at the awards ceremony for the 32 years’ service he has given to Spadework.
To find out more about fundraising or volunteering opportunities, email Jen at: jennyw@mentalhealthresource.org.uk or call 01892 615552 or visit mentalhealthresource.org.uk
For more about Spadework, visit spadework.net
