Since April 2022, the Elliott Holmes Memorial Fund (EHMF) has been a vital lifeline, providing mental health counselling to over 300 young people in Gravesham. We rely almost entirely on community-driven events and donations to sustain our critical work.

Our no-barriers approach allows young people in the Borough to self-refer through our website and receive timely, effective support, with most appointments scheduled within seven days. We leverage the immediate availability in the private counselling sector and have 11 counsellors distributed throughout the borough. We collaborate closely with Gravesham secondary schools, Kent Police, Darent Valley Hospital, Gravesham Leisure Centres, local charities, and various local clubs and organisations.

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In 2024, 93% of our funding was raised through schools and community events, engaging over 6,000 people, the remainder through private sector grants and donations - we receive no public sector funding. This collective effort was highlighted by the BBC in February 2024 and July 2024. There is no comparable service in the UK. With the NHS overwhelmed, accessing free face-to-face counselling anywhere in the UK, is nearly impossible. Tragically, 83% of the young people who self-refer to us have been unable to access support elsewhere.

EHMF was inspired and established by Peter Scutts and Kerry Holmes, who lost their son to suicide in 2020 after he failed to access the help he needed.

Our dedication was recognised with the Civic and Community Award from the Mayor of Gravesham in 2023. In August 2024, Peter Scutts was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship, Rotary International’s highest award and in November 2024, out of over 2,000 entries, they were winners of ‘Best Local Community Initiative’ in Benefact Group’s UK Charity Heroes awards.

The Elliott Holmes Memorial Fund truly embodies the spirit of community, tackling a critical local issue with compassion and commitment.