With entries and nominations for 2026 now open, we thought it would be a great time to catch up with some of our 2025 winners.
First up is our 2025 Start-Up Charity of the Year: Canterbury-based mental health charity Head in the Game.
This new and exciting charity utilises sports to support the mental fitness of men, women, and young people. Founded on personal experiences, the charity delivers free physical activity sessions aimed at improving wellbeing, reducing isolation, and helping people build confidence. From football and netball to tennis and badminton, each programme is tailored to meet the specific needs of the local community.
CEO Mark Pinkey shares their journey and highlights from the past seven months.
* How did it feel to win Start-Up Charity of the Year?
It felt amazing. As a charity that had only been going for less than two years, it came as a real shock. More than anything, it made me feel incredibly proud of the charity, the team, and especially our frontline coaches. It was a genuine recognition of the hard work, determination, and absolute focus they put into improving the mental health of people across Kent. It also gave us a sense of validation, that what we are doing is needed and making a real difference. Moments like that do not come around often, so it is something we will always remember.
* What impact has being an award-winning charity had on your organisation?
The impact has been huge. We have been inundated with requests from people wanting to join our services, as well as businesses and organisations looking to work alongside us or choose us as their Charity of the Year. Our social media presence grew significantly to the point where we had to upgrade how we manage it and begin working with a local marketing agency to support the increased traffic. It has also helped attract more volunteers, allowing us to deliver more sessions and reach more people across Kent. Alongside that, it has strengthened our credibility, which has been really important when building new partnerships and applying for funding.
* What are your plans for the coming year?
Our focus for the coming year is growth and development. Since winning the award, we have recruited 3 new members of staff, made possible by the increased awareness and funding opportunities that followed. We are also looking to diversify our offer by expanding how we support people, including those who may not feel ready to take part in sport straight away. This includes exploring more indoor activities and alternative entry points to help people build confidence before joining our sports programmes. Alongside this, we want to continue reaching new communities across Kent and ensure that our support remains accessible, inclusive, and impactful.
* Would you recommend the Kent Charity Awards to other charities?
100%. Even the process of applying or being nominated is valuable. The awards are humbling, inspiring, and a fantastic way to showcase the incredible work that charities, both big and small, are doing across Kent. They truly highlight the sector’s strength and impact. It also gives organisations a chance to pause and reflect on their journey, which is something we do not always make time for. Being in a room with so many passionate people all working to make a difference is incredibly powerful.
* Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
We would just like to say a massive thank you. We knew we were up against some incredible charities, so to win meant a great deal. Running a charity like Head In The Game involves long days, evenings, and weekends; it is a 24/7 commitment. Winning this award gave everyone involved a real boost and reinforced why we do what we do. We even celebrated properly in October with a meal attended by nearly 20 staff and volunteers, which was a brilliant way to bring everyone together. It created a real sense of togetherness and pride across the whole team. The Kent Charity Awards are doing something really special. You probably do not always see the full impact, but even being nominated can make a huge difference to organisations like ours. It gives people belief, confidence, and motivation to keep pushing forward, so thank you for everything you are doing to support charities across the county.
