LOCAL CHARITY WE MIND & KELLY MATTERS APPOINTS NEW CEO

Northamptonshire-based charity We Mind and Kelly Matters has announced the appointment of Sherry Adams as its Chief Executive Officer. Masters-qualified psychotherapist Sherry has a background as a mental health and suicide prevention consultant, including extensive career and voluntary experience in the charity sector with the Samaritans, Cruise, Chums, Rape Crisis and more recently, MIND.

The charity was set up in memory of Kelly Hewitt by her family after she took her own life in 2018. Kelly’s father John Hewitt says of Sherry’s appointment: “We’re delighted to welcome Sherry to We Mind & Kelly Matters. As Kelly’s family and founder trustees of the charity, we wanted someone with the skillset and determination to drive the charity forward and most importantly someone who has the ability to empathise with those struggling to cope.

“With her wealth of experience, Sherry will enable We Mind & Kelly Matters to make a difference to people’s mental wellbeing and help us prevent suicides.”

Sherry says of her appointment: “It is a tremendous privilege to join We Mind & Kelly Matters.  I am passionate about ensuring that people are heard, listened to and treated with respect and kindness. 

“Now, more than ever, mental health and suicide are challenges we must not be afraid to talk openly about. It’s crucial that the right support is in place to help people, especially given that demand will inevitably rise after such a challenging year. We Mind & Kelly Matters has the chance to make a positive and lasting change and to play a key role in providing hope, help and support to anyone struggling with their mental health or contemplating suicide.”

Next month, We Mind & Kelly Matters is launching a raft of new services including a ‘Live Chat’ instant messaging service on their website, and a Suicide Virtual Bereavement Support Group with the charity Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS), the first of its kind in Northamptonshire.

Sherry and her team also have plans to promote awareness of mental health issues in Northamptonshire’s schools and businesses and will continue to support the work of other mental health and suicide bereavement charities. Supporters of We Mind & Kelly Matters have a number of fundraising events in the pipeline, while the charity is also looking to develop partnerships with other organisations who share their ethos.