Double national recognition for Scarborough charity Sparks ahead of new centre opening
Scarborough charity Sparks is celebrating after winning the Mental Health Impact Award and being Highly Commended for Partnership of the Year at the National Charity Today Awards 2026.
The honours were announced at a ceremony in Peterborough on Wednesday, October 14, recognising the charity’s mental health services and its work with SCORE Primary Care Network (PCN).
Sparks, founded in 2018, provides counselling, crisis intervention, early intervention and wellbeing services to people across Scarborough.
In the past year, it has delivered 2,021 counselling sessions, 1,249 crisis interventions and 604 one-to-one coaching sessions.
Its Highly Commended Partnership of the Year recognition was awarded for its work with SCORE PCN, delivering three weekly Baby SPARKS groups in Barrowcliff, Eastfield and Scarborough town centre, alongside pop-up Community Health and Wellbeing Hubs.
The baby groups provide support and opportunities for parents, carers and young children to connect, while the hubs bring health advice and preventative services into local neighbourhoods.
Michelle Davison-Ward, CEO of Sparks, said: "Winning a national award for our mental health work is a tremendous achievement for everyone involved with Sparks.
“We know how important it is for people to receive the right support at the right time, and our partnership with SCORE PCN has enabled us to reach families and individuals who might otherwise struggle to access services.
“These awards are recognition of the hard work and commitment of our team, volunteers and partners, and we’re absolutely delighted.”
The national success comes just a fortnight before Sparks officially opens its new premises on Northway.
The charity’s third base will be formally opened at 1pm on Wednesday, October 28, by Johanna Ropner, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire.