Mind won charity of the year at Stratford Herald Business and Tourism Awards 2023
RECOGNISING the key work of our area’s charities is a central element of the Stratford Herald Business and Tourism Awards.
Last year, South Warwickshire and Worcestershire Mind was chosen as the charity of the year – a deserving winner in a post-Covid world where mental health issues have risen dramatically.
Self-harm and suicide figures have reached crisis point in Britain, which means the role of mental health charities like South Warwickshire and Worcestershire Mind (SWW Mind) is more vital than ever.
Preventing tragic loss of life across all age groups – including school children – is a service it performs every day and while its profile isn’t as familiar as some of the national charities, it still provides a key service to those in need.
Winning the Herald award has helped SWW Mind successfully apply for funding from the government and, as a result, a new service has been launched in schools to support young people.
“The award really helped us. We could now finally call ourselves an award-winning charity,” said Emily Halderthay, marketing and communications manager. “It put us on the map, our social media increased, and it raised awareness to a much higher level.
“Significantly, we included our award win when we successfully applied for a share of a £10 million government fund for charities, and we used the money to set up suicide prevention projects in all secondary schools in south Warwickshire and Worcestershire.
“It’s an exciting project and completely free of charge.”
The mental health of school pupils is an increasing priority for SWW Mind because of the harmful impact social media can have on a young person’s life, which was another key part of the funding bid.
For Emily, the services are – as she puts it – “particularly close to my heart” as her brother committed suicide in 2008.
“Ben took his own life aged 32. His problems started when he was at school. He would think the work we are doing means something positive has come from his death. There are increasing cases of self-harm and suicide involving men, so we see ourselves as a local suicide prevention charity involved at the start of a person’s mental health issues.”
She believes there is a suicidal crisis right now with the figures going in the wrong direction. Covid and the cost of living haven’t helped and, worryingly, the issues are “not going away”.
“Mental health problems can deteriorate someone very quickly. We do have a mental health crisis and it’s shocking how widespread it is and suicide can often only be one step away,” said Emily.
Emily concluded: “We were absolutely thrilled to win [the Herald award].
“When we put together our bid for the award and later for government funding I thought ‘gosh, we do so many things’. It was eye-opening, and we deserved it – it was an award for everyone involved with the charity.”
She added: For anyone out there who is toying about entering this year but are not sure, just think, why not? There’s a huge amount to be gained as we have already found out.”
This year’s categories are:
Best Online Business
Best Family Business
Team of the Year
Community Support Award, sponsored by Stratford-upon-Avon School
Top Attraction, sponsored by Crowne Plaza hotel
Best Business Innovation, sponsored by Porterbrook
Employer of the Year, sponsored by Stratford College
Best New Business
Charity of the Year, sponsored by Orbit
Best Customer Experience
Best Green Business
Best Pub/Bar/Restaurant, sponsored by EFX
Employee of the Year, sponsored by Stratford District Council
Business of the Year, sponsored by Shakespeare Martineau
To enter this year’s awards, visit www.stratfordherald awards.co.uk. Entries can all be done online ready for our independent judges to view.
