Kent and Medway projects receive funding boost for mental health support
Twelve initiatives secured £90,000 from local Suicide Prevention Programme
Twelve mental health projects have been awarded grants from Kent and Medway’s Suicide Prevention Programme to enhance mental wellbeing services.
The recipients will share a £90,000 fund, aimed at benefiting vulnerable individuals and families.
Recipients of the 2026 Kent and Medway Better Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Fund grants include Papyrus, set to pilot suicide prevention training for autistic individuals in partnership with specialist schools across Kent.
Gemma Rowan, Papyrus' Area Manager for England South and East, said:
“We’ll be working across Kent with school staff and teachers to help improve awareness and support for autistic children and young people experiencing mental health struggles.
“It’s critical the voices and experiences of neurodiverse communities are reflected in our work.”
Other projects awarded funding encompass a range of services such as The Blackthorn Trust and Kenwood Trust, who will continue their rehabilitation programme for addiction recovery, while Dandelion Time offers nature-based therapy to children affected by trauma and their families.
Additionally, projects like Speak Up CIC in Thanet, Empowera, and Live Music Now are addressing mental health challenges through community engagement and creative expression.
Supported by NHS Kent and Medway, Kent County Council, and Medway Council, the annual Suicide Prevention Programme has been a cornerstone of mental health support for eight years, aiding over 130 organisations.
ities are facing significant funding pressures, flexible funding that supports our existing work is vital, helping us continue supporting more than 200 children and families each year and reach even more people when they need us.
"The launch event was a wonderful opportunity to bring together organisations working at the heart of mental health and suicide prevention. We look forward to seeing new connections, collaborations and ideas emerge that will benefit communities across Kent and Medway."
Dr Kate Langford, Chief Medical and Outcomes Officer at NHS Kent and Medway, said:
“It is really heartening that so many different organisations came forward with projects that will make a real difference to people’s mental health and wellbeing across Kent and Medway.
“All of these organisations have demonstrated that they are dedicated to saving lives and preventing self-harm and that they are well placed in our communities to make a real difference to vulnerable individuals’ and families’ lives.
“It is particularly good to fund so many voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations - NHS Kent and Medway is committed to work with these organisations as they play such an important role in improving the health of people in our communities.”
KCC Cabinet Member for Environment, Coastal Regeneration and Public Health, Jamie Henderson, said:
“Once again we received an incredibly high number of strong applications for this long-running fund. It underlines the impressive work going on across Kent and Medway to help individuals and families dealing with poor mental health.
"Congratulations to all our successful applicants and I look forward to following everyone's inspiring work.”
Cllr Teresa Murray, Deputy Leader of Medway Council and Portfolio Holder for Public Health, said:
"This new round of funding is going to have a hugely positive impact on lives across Kent and Medway. Mental health issues take many different forms and affect people in many different circumstances, so it’s inspirational to see the number of projects striving to help across the board.
"Thanks to everyone who applied and thanks to all those working hard to help improve lives throughout Kent and Medway.”