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Most innovative mental health intervention
Most innovative proactive wellbeing intervention
Outstanding contribution to the mental health and wellbeing sector
Inspirational mental health story (under 18s)
Inspirational mental health story (over 18s)
Most Innovative Mental Health Intervention
Penumbra Milestone is an alcohol-free 10 bedded step-down service providing short-term care for vulnerable men and women aged 18+ with a probable diagnosis of alcohol related brain damage (ARBD).
Innovation
It is known that people experiencing ARBD have a range of complex physical, mental and social needs. The team provide specialist & intensive 1:1 and group re-enablement support for up to 12 weeks. Residents engage in a range of activities and therapy to improve their physical and mental health as well as promote/re-learn social and life skills. They are also supported to engage in community-based support services in the community that they will be discharged to, in order that they can continue to engage in them after discharge.
Most innovative wellbeing intervention
HUG A MUG friendly guidance café open to everyone, whatever their age, situation, background or postcode. HUG A MUG came out of a four year research process of finding out what local residents want to improve in their community.
Many local people find it hard to find out about what is available to them and there are many barriers to taking those next steps. HUG A MUG aims to create a safe space where you can get advice on all sorts of things like health and well-being, housing, work, finance or family problems, while wrapping your hands around a hot drink and knowing that someone will listen. HUG A MUG empowers people by helping them to identify what help they need and helping them to take those next steps – the service doesn’t aim to do it ‘for them’ or ‘to them.’
Long-term impact
Core Arts is a not-for-profit Social Business that promotes positive mental health and wellbeing through creative learning. Their mission is to support and promote recovery, social inclusion and mental wellbeing through the arts and enhance service user experience.
Core Arts encourages progression and well-being both mentally and physically, as well as connect the isolated and marginalised individuals to develop friendship groups. Their aim is to highlight the individuals’ strengths and ambitions and develop partnerships with other institutions to provide opportunities for students to showcase their works.
Read Core Art’s annual review or watch student’s performances.
Outstanding contribution to the mental health and wellbeing sector
Annabel Hodgson
Having worked in the Youth Work sector for over 30 years, Annabel has had a pivotal role in shaping the provision of mental health support for young people in Southampton and Hampshire. Starting as a Detached Youth Worker on a council estate, Annabel then developed Southampton’s first LGBTQ youth project before starting her role as the CEO at No Limits.
Annabel has built No Limits from a tiny charity with 2 members of staff to a large local charity with 100 staff and 70 volunteers from all over Hampshire. No Limits is an award-winning, local, independent charity providing a unique combination of prevention, early intervention and crisis support to young people, based on a nationally evidenced model. Annabel is passionate in her belief that young people should be given help to reach their potential, including those who are the most vulnerable. Annabel works continually to develop projects to support mental health.
Learn more about No Limits and the impact that they are making!
Inspirational Story (under 18s)
In December 2017, eight young people from West Cumbria had become so despairing about the lack of youth mental health services in their area and the impact it was having on family and friends that they called a public meeting and came together to form the WE WILL youth mental health campaign.
All of the founding members of WE WILL had been impacted directly or indirectly by mental health problems and the lack of support available to young people. The young people work as advocates for Youth Mental Health First Aid training – encouraging people to undertake the training and also spread the word. They are also trained to pass on basic YMHFA and suicide alert messages to peers and the wider community.
Inspirational story (over 18s)
Ben West
At the age of 18, Ben’s brother Sam took his own life. Ben West is determined to save others from the same pain by campaigning for mental health awareness. While grieving for his 15 year old brother Sam, Ben organised a 200km walk across Kent to raise awareness of mental ill health.
More than 450 people took part in the project #Walktotalk. Mum Michelle is giving speeches at conferences to encourage teachers to take part in Mental Health First Aider training and the team have raised over £15,000, from the #Walktotalk event, to help develop more mental health awareness projects.
Visit The Sam West Foundation to learn how you can get involved!
The Lifestyle Award
Reach Out; Start to End Suicide is based on the foundation belief that suicide is preventable and everyone has a role to play in preventing suicide. START utilising its foundation within therapeutic arts developed incredibly innovative interventions that proactively engage with the Salford community; provide support and hope to those directly affected by suicide; and challenge stigma.
It has brought together the people of Salford as they build resilience, caring, save lives and end the stigma that surrounds mental illness and suicide. It is a people’s movement that is delivering outstanding results.
