Waterside Parents' Centre Wins Big at Kent Charity Awards 2026
We are absolutely overjoyed to share some extraordinary news with our community, supporters, and families. Waterside Parents’ Centre has officially been named Mental Health Charity of the Year at the Kent Charity Awards 2026!
The awards ceremony was held on Thursday, 3rd September, at the Ashford International Hotel. Bringing together over 270 individuals from non-profits and community organisations across Kent, the evening was a powerful celebration of the dedication, resilience, and compassion driving our sector.
In a wonderful surprise on the night, the judges decided that rather than choosing between two exceptional organizations, they would crown joint winners for the Mental Health category.
We are deeply honored to share this accolade with
Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Kenward Trust as joint winners highlights the strength, breadth, and warmth of Kent’s mental health support network. We send our heartiest congratulations to their entire team, board, and volunteers for this well-deserved award!
For nearly 30 years, our core mission at Waterside Parents’ Centre in Gravesend has been simple yet vital, to provide a safe, welcoming, and non-judgmental space for parents navigating early parenthood.
Parenthood brings immense joy, but it can also present significant emotional, mental, and practical challenges. We have always believed that looking after a parent’s emotional wellbeing is one of the greatest investments we can make in a child’s future.
Receiving average annual referrals of well over 100 families, our team works tirelessly through structured drop-in sessions, targeted one-to-one guidance, and social and emotional wellbeing partnerships complete with crèche support. Hearing parents describe our centre as a “lifeline” is the greatest reward we could ask for, and having that work validated by the Kent Charity Awards judges is an incredible milestone.
Jennie Edwards, Business Development Managers, says:
“We at Waterside are absolutely thrilled to have received this award. It recognises the commitment from volunteers, the dedication and nurturing support from the team and the journey parents are experiencing and challenges they are overcoming, we are so proud of our Waterside community.”
It truly takes a village- not only to raise a child, but to keep a local charity running. This award belongs to everyone who forms part of the Waterside family:
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Our Staff & Volunteers: Whose empathy, skill, and commitment ensure no parent in Gravesham has to walk their journey alone.
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Our Funders & Supporters: Including the National Lottery Community Fund, Trusthouse Charitable Foundation, Colyer Fergusson Charitable Trust, Kent Community Foundation, National Lottery as well as local community groups, and business partners whose generosity makes our daily work possible.
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Our Parents & Families: Thank you for placing your trust in us, supporting one another, and creating the compassionate community that makes Waterside so special.
Thank you to the judges and organisers at the Kent Charity Awards for recognizing our mission. As we look ahead, this recognition fuels our passion to expand our reach, innovate our services, and ensure every parent in our region gets the mental health support they deserve.