"On Saturday 28th January the Mental Wealth,UK 25by2012 campaign was celebrated with an evening event in Leeds, which brought together representatives from a dozen groups and an assortment of staff and supporters.

With support from the Matthew Elvidge Trust, we were able to recognise some of the standout contributions from the 25 groups during 2011. The Matthew Elvidge Award was introduced in November 2011, promising to recognise significant contributions to campus mental health promotion. After much deliberation, the winners (each of whom were presented with glass memorabilia by Hamish Elvidge) were the Mental Wealth groups at Cardiff, St Andrews, and Cambridge. Hamish Elvidge said:

 

“It was a great privilege to present the 2012 Mental Wealth UK Matthew Elvidge Awards for the ‘best overall contribution’ and  ‘best new group’. All the shortlisted universities have done amazing work to bring mental health and well being out of the shadows and encourage students to share their feelings and seek the right professional help.

 

Many congratulations to Cardiff and St Andrews (best overall contribution) and to Cambridge (best new group) for their creative, innovative and brave campaigning and the way they have engaged students and university services in their extraordinary work. Every group should be very proud of what it has achieved……overall a wonderful evening to celebrate the work of some wonderful young people”.

 

Thanks to all those that made it to the evening, and well done to each of the 25. On the night we also waved farewell to the manager of the 25by2012 campaign, Nathaniel, who said, "To all of those involved with groups, I'd like to say that it's been a joy working with you all these past six months. Thanks for your enthusiasm, passion and energy, and for making my job such a rewarding one…It's been an adventure, and it's fantastic to see 25 groups in place at the end of it. A great step forward for the mental health of university students."