A Falmouth charity supporting women’s mental health has revealed its first celebrity patron – in the same week that its founder took home a top award.
Sophie Alway set up the charity Georgia’s Voice in memory of her 19-year-old daughter Georgia, who took her own life in July 2020.
It now provides a number of free support groups and activities supporting positive mental health, and helps pay for therapy for young women in Cornwall needing someone to talk to.
Sophie was nominated by a member of the Falmouth support group for the West Country Women Awards, recognising remarkable women.
Having been a semi-final winner back in October, from more than 1,000 nominations in 15 categories, she has now won the Phoenix category award in the finals, for ‘a woman that has risen from the ashes.’
The nomination read: “This charity is helping so many girls across Cornwall, through weekly free confidential support groups, access to free therapy and many well-being activities.
“Without Georgia’s Voice Cornwall will have lost some amazing young girls. Sophie is truly an inspiration.”
The finals took place in Plymouth hosted by founders Alexis Bowater and Tess Stuber.
Sophie said: “I have a huge team of inspiring women behind me at Georgia’s Voice, and we each work hard to empower the young women in our groups to be confident and capable in managing their mental health - so to win this award that celebrates women, and to have been nominated by a young woman from one of our groups for this award, is so special! I am so grateful.”
And it has also been announced that Georgia’s Voice now has its first charity patron - BBC Springwatch/Autumn watch presenter Gillian Burke.
A biologist, presenter, public speaker, voiceover artist, writer and mother, Gillian says on her website that she loves “championing the outcasts, the misunderstood, the overlooked, the unseen and unheard,” while acknowledging she is “just another person trying to figure all of this out and working hard to make the world a better place.”
Sophie said the charity was “so excited” to have Gillian on board, adding: “Watch this space to hear more about the progressive ideas we have for working together to reduce the suicide rate in Cornwall.”
Gillian described it as a “real honour” to take up the role, as well as being “humbling.”
She said: “While I am so excited to be working with Georgia’s Voice, there are so many other words that spring to mind; challenging, sobering, humbling, and inspiring.
“While my work for the BBC focuses on nature and the environment, I have long talked about the importance of showing up for each other. This is the chance to do just that.
“It is a real honour and I look forward to working with the charity."
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