An Ealing-based mental health charity has celebrated receiving the UK’s highest honour for voluntary groups by holding a community garden party last Saturday (26 April 2025) at Horsenden Farm in Perivale.
MindFood, founded in 2012, supports people across the borough to improve their mental health through food-growing and practical wellbeing techniques. In November 2024, the charity was awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest honour for local volunteer groups and often described as the MBE for charities.
Deputy Lieutenant Richard Kornicki CBE DL presented the award on behalf of the King, with local dignitaries including the Mayor of Ealing, Yvonne Johnson, and councillors Polly Knewstub, Paul Driscoll, Aysha Raza and Seema Kumar in attendance. Ealing Southall MP Deirdre Costigan also joined the event.
More than 150 people attended the celebration, where guests had the chance to explore over 1,000 young vegetable plants – grown by the charity for donation to local primary and SEND schools as part of its Grow Some Share Some initiative.
Lucy Clark, MindFood’s programme director said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive The Kings Award, which recognises the efforts of our dedicated team, and our amazing volunteers. Every day they inspire us to do more to help people struggling with mental difficulties – they show us that with the right support, they can live happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives.”
 at Horsenden Farm in Perivale.){kind=link}