Mayor’s Charities of the Year 2026-27
Kernos is proud to have been chosen, alongside Number 72, as one of the Mayor of Sudbury’s charities for 2026–27.
The Mayor’s Reception
The Kernos Chair, David Morris and CEO, Michelle Argent, were honoured to be invited to the Mayor’s Reception on Friday 29th May 2026.
The Mayor’s speech demonstrated his passion and commitment to supporting the people of Sudbury. He shared his lived experience of challenges from childhood, and his personal struggles with his mental health in the past. This is a key reason he chose Kernos and Number 72, recognising how much he and his family would have benefitted from the kind of support both organisations provide.
Partnership Working in Action
Michelle Argent, CEO of Kernos, also delivered a speech at the Mayor’s Reception on behalf of both charities. She said:
Mark’s Story
To illustrate the power of partnership working and the impact of the support provided by Kernos and Number 72, Michelle shared Mark’s story, a service user who received support from both charities:
Mark came to Kernos experiencing significant emotional distress linked to long-standing family challenges. The impact on his mental health had become overwhelming, affecting his wellbeing, resilience, and ability to cope with everyday life.
Through regular counselling sessions at Kernos, Mark was able to access a safe, supportive space to process his experiences and receive specialist support during a period of crisis. As additional needs emerged, Kernos referred Mark to Number 72, where he received one-to-one practical assistance including access to financial support, advocacy, and help navigating complex external services.
Together, this joined-up approach helped Mark access appropriate mental health support, reduce financial pressures, and regain a greater sense of stability and hope.
Reflecting on his experience, Mark said:
Their story highlights the importance of ensuring people can access both emotional and practical support when facing life’s most difficult challenges.
