Crossroads Care Kent was announced as the winner of the Mental Health Charity of the Year category at the Kent Charity Awards last night (11th September 2025) at the stunning Corn Exchange in Rochester.
The award recognises the success of the Carers Counselling Service, a transformative service that provides free therapeutic support to family carers, many of whom risk reaching breaking point while silently coping with the demands of their role. By offering a safe space to talk, the service supports those taking care of a loved one to help them continue to provide this much-needed care.
With an estimated 5.8 million unpaid Carers across the UK—148,000 of whom live in Kent—the need for mental health support is more urgent than ever. Research from the Centre for Care reveals that the economic value of unpaid care in England and Wales now exceeds £162 billion annually, a 29% increase in real terms since 2011.
Emma Vecchiolla, CEO for Crossroads Care Kent said “It fills me with immense pride to be part of this wonderful charity, knowing that each day, every member of the team is making a real difference to people’s lives.
“This award is well deserved recognition for the amazing team and the valuable holistic support they provide that helps to keep families together for as long as possible”
With over 43 years of dedicated service to family Carers across Kent, Crossroads Care Kent offers a range of vital services, including weekly respite, emergency respite, Young Carers Clubs and activities, designed to give Carers the opportunity to reclaim time for themselves.
In addition to supporting Carers, the charity has pioneered a sustainable model by mentoring Counsellors in Training, offering 100-hour placements that contribute to their professional qualification. This dual-impact approach has enabled the service to deliver over 10,000 hours of free therapy and supported over 100 trainee counsellors.
“Receiving this award in recognition of the immense hard work of the Crossroads Care Kent counselling team is an honour,” said Marnie Enever, Operations Director. “I couldn’t be prouder of the dedication shown by our team. I’d like to thank our Board of Trustees, the Kent and Medway Cancer Alliance for their generous funding for 18 months, and our Counselling Project Mentor Vicky and her team of Coordinators for their unwavering commitment.”