Sibling Link Wins BBC Community Heroes Award

Sibling Link wins BBC Sussex and Surrey Community Hero Award 

Sibling link was named WINNER in the Volunteer category at the 9th Annual BBC Sussex and Surrey Community Heroes Awards 2019. 

The Community Hero Awards has been running for nine years and has been set up to recognise unsung heroes from across the area, with entries being sought in a variety of categories. They are designed to reflect everything from volunteers to young achievers. 

Sibling Link received the news that they had been nominated in October for the volunteer category and were invited to an awards ceremony in November when it was announced that they had been chosen as winners! 

Co-founders Tash & Bex’s own brothers suffered from severe mental illness and, being such good friends, they had an outlet for each other’s emotions.  

They wanted to give others in the same position the chance to talk and to be heard – hence Sibling Link’s purpose today:  

1. peer support group for anyone over 18 with a brother or sister who has/ is struggling with mental illness  

1. Walk a Talk – outdoor meets for anyone – not limited to siblings -  bereaved by suicide  

1. Online platform for anyone who may want to share their story and access advice and information for them or their loved ones.  

Tash explained “Our aim is to keep talking about mental illness, in order that one day, the stigma surrounding mental illness completely disappears”  

Walk and talk attendee:  

‘It’s a fabulously supportive place that you provide, following a difficult and confusing time, I will never forget our first walk around the park”  

Peer support attendee:  

“I have been to several of the Sibling Link meetings….I have a sister with severe mental health difficulties which has been a very difficult thing to deal with – you can worry about opening up to others for fear of judgement or stigma – to go to a place where people ‘get’ how you’re feeling and what you’re going through is a truly great thing ….Tash and Bex have created a much needed and wonderfully safe and supportive space for which I am very grateful, thank you”  

Find The BBC Radio Sussex and Surrey Community awards Online: 
Website:  
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/17dgBXdFYKc8W4tW7r8QN0g/community-heroes-awards-2019-finalists 
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/BBCSussex/ 
Twitter: @bbcsussex 

BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07w210j/p07w20k1