It’s been a busy few weeks for our Paul’s Place team at Beacon Counselling Trust. From 5k fundraisers to rubbing shoulders with the glitterati, we’ve been working hard to raise awareness of our Paul’s Place programme.
First up, we’re honoured to share the Paul’s Place founders were the winners of the #HellotoKindness at this year’s Hello! Magazine Inspirational Awards. Voted for by Hello!
Readers and the British public, Paul’s Place founders Kathy, Agnes and Joe joined two other amazing individuals as top 3 finalists in the UK shortlisted by the Hello! Judges, Woman’s Hour and Countryfile presenter Anita Rani, Britain’s Best Walks star Julia Bradbury, Strictly Come Dancing’s Johannes Radebe, former Loose Women star Saira Khan and HELLO!’s editor in chief Rosie Nixon.
“Some of those that we are shortlisting this year really are quite extraordinary and I’m sure they are going to move our readers,” Rosie Nixon said and she proved herself to be right.
On announcing our Paul’s Place founders as winners, host and The Saturday’s Frankie Bridge said “It’s a massive honour for me to be here today as someone who has suffered from mental health my whole life and having had those moments of ending their life. To have people there to help you with that can make a massive difference. So many people, especially with what’s to come, need people like this. Congratulations, it’s so deserved.”
We would like to thank Frankie for her openness and empathy with our work. It is through recognition like this that services like Paul’s Place can reach people who need us.
Our Co-Founder and clinical Manager Kathy accepted the award with Agnes and Joe at her side
“This was born from personal tragedy, both families, and for the people that are left behind because there isn’t any help out there.
We’ve got to strive; our mission is to get a Paul’s Place in every city. Suicide affects everybody, not just the poor or rich, the people left behind need help.”