Kernos Centre annual general meeting in February 2022. From left to right: Peter Brown, treasurer and director of finance; Chris Boatwright, director of counselling; James Cartlidge, MP for South Suffolk; and Graham Hill, Kernos chairman. Contributed picture. (55195863)
A Sudbury-based counselling charity voiced its gratitude for the support it has received over the last year, as it revealed that it had helped over 4,000 local people of all ages during the last two decades.
The Kernos Centre celebrated its successful work in the community at its 18th annual general meeting, which took place at the Christopher Centre on Friday, February 25.
Among the guests were Sudbury mayor Sue Ayres, former mayor Jack Owen and Babergh councillors Jan and Adrian Osborne, who highlighted the importance of the charity’s work.
Graham Hill, Kernos Centre chairman, thanked all those who had contributed to enable the charity’s work to continue throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
This included grants from the Suffolk Community Foundation, Babergh District Council, Sudbury Town Council and Great Cornard Parish Council.
It was confirmed that the Kernos Centre has supported more than 4,430 people since launching in 2003.
Peter Brown, the charity’s treasurer, said: “Donations, client contributions and grants are more difficult to obtain since lockdown, which has impacted on the Kernos Centre’s revenue.
“However, we are continually seeking funding in order to properly support those who need help.
“When you consider that a child taken into care for six months can cost £30,000, or a hospital bed for a mental health patient can cost up to £100,000 for six months, it is clear that early intervention by Kernos is not only good for those who need help, but also makes sound financial sense for the community.”
South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge, one of the guests at the meeting, added: "I was delighted to attend the AGM and was encouraged to hear about their focus on the need for early intervention in mental health care.
"As it happens, I introduced a statutory instrument for early intervention in the legal aid system last month, and believe that the same principle should apply to mental health care.
"By providing high-quality support, through the local voluntary sector, we are able to intervene to prevent an individual from needing more extensive care within the NHS.
"This results in a better outcome for the individual and saves precious resource in the NHS.
"As such, I have pledged to continue campaigning for our brilliant voluntary sector, including charities such as the Kernos Centre, to receive more direct funding from the NHS."
Published by the Suffolk Free Press.
