The Mix has been awarded Runner-Up in the Supporting Young People category at the 2025 ‘Can Do’ Health and Care Awards. The prestigious ceremony, held on Friday 4 July and hosted by the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care System (SNEE ICS),celebrated organisations transforming health and wellbeing across the region.
The Mix stood out for its holistic, preventative approach to youth support—providing free services that have transformed the lives of thousands of young people aged 9–25. From mentoring and employability coaching to mental health support and alternative education, the charity’s wide-ranging programmes address the complex challenges facing young people in Suffolk, especially in communities ranked among the most deprived in England.
SupportingYoung People – and the Community Around Them
Operating in a deprived rural area in England, The Mix offers a range of free, wrap aroundservices, including:
- Primary school mentoring
- Thrive: alternative education for students struggling in mainstream schools
- Youth Link Workers embedded in secondary schools (Youth Social Prescribing)
- After school Drop-in sessions, holiday activities, and youth-led community projects
- One-to-one mentoring and group support for young people with SEN
- Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) awareness programmes
- Community events and parent-toddler groups
- An on-site café reinvesting profits into youth services and offering local work experience
In 2024 alone, The Mix supported between 3,000–4,000 young people. Since the pandemic, they have seen a 49% increase in cases of youth depression and anxiety, a 78% risein autism presentations, and a 46% increase in long-term health issues. The Mix is helping young people feel safe, seen, and supported—and in doing so, is strengthening the wider Suffolk community.
Jane Crawford, Interim CEO of The Mix, said:
"We are incredibly proud to be recognised as runner-up in this category. This award belongs to our dedicated team, volunteers, and young people, who show resilience and passion every day. It’s also a reminder that when we invest in young people, we strengthen the entire community.”
Recognised Alongside Leading Youth Organisations
The Supporting Young People Award category was judged by a panel of local young people and highlighted three exceptional organisations that achieved runner-up and an overall winner.
All the other organisations in the category winning commended or highly commended:
- Winner: Lads Need Dads
- Runner-Up: The Mix Stowmarket
- Runner-Up: Talent for Care Team and Nic Alexander – Next AHP Programme and East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
- Highly Commended and Commended:
- Highly Commended – Noise Solution
- Highly Commended – The NextMedic Team – Anglia Ruskin University, East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust and local schools
- Highly Commended – Renée Robey – Young Mental Health Ambassadors – Healthwatch Essex
- Commended – Future Female Society
- Commended – Young Person Parenting and Pregnancy Team – Essex and Suffolk Youth Enquiry Service
- Commended – Tash Wightman – Leaving Care Suffolk – Suffolk County Council
Each was chosen for their meaningful contributions to the health, wellbeing, and future prospects of young people in the region. The panel praised The Mix for its “truly holistic and preventative” approach to youth work.
Voices of Impact
The Mix’s success is best illustrated through the young people it supports:
“I used to mess around in class, and school sent me to Thrive. I regret how I acted before. Now, I’m working toward a successful future.” – Alfie, age 15.
“The pandemic wrecked my mental health. The Mix helped me rebuild. I’m learning to drive and saving for my own space—it wouldn’t be possible without them.” –Izzy, age 17.
“Thank you for the best night of my life.” – Infinity Prom attendee, celebrating with peers at a Mix-led event.
Building a Stronger, More Connected Suffolk
Beyond direct youth support, The Mix plays an important role in community cohesion—hosting open-access events, partnering with local schools and councils, and providing training spaces for other services. Its café serves as a community hub, while also offering valuable work experience for young people looking to enter the workforce.
By empowering young people with the skills, support, and confidence to thrive, The Mix continues to have a ripple effect across families, schools, and wider support networks in Suffolk.
