🎉 We’ve Been Awarded National Lottery Awards for All Funding for Mindful Space!

We are delighted to announce that our Mindful Space Pilot has been awarded a National Lottery Awards for All Grant — a huge milestone for Kingston Giving and our community wellbeing work!

This achievement marks a powerful step forward in something we’ve been passionately working towards since our What Kingston Thinks research highlighted mental health, belonging and connection as top local priorities.

🌱 From Insight to Action

This journey began with listening — through What Kingston Thinks, we heard from over 200 residents about what matters most in their daily lives. Mental wellbeing, social connection, and supportive spaces emerged as clear themes shaping our collective experience.

From that foundation:

🧠 In August 2025, we brought together local partners, young people, and community stakeholders to co-design what Mindful Space could be.

🤝 We’re testing practical ideas with venues and mental health partners — from quiet zones and flexible spaces to staff awareness training and alcohol-free options.

💬 We launched Small Questions, Big Impact — tools developed with local people to spark everyday wellbeing conversations and build connection across Kingston.

Now with this National Lottery support secured, we are ready to bring Mindful Space to life across the borough.

🏡 What Mindful Space Will Do

Mindful Space will transform everyday venues into places where everyone feels welcome, supported and connected — not clinical, just human. In 2026 we will be launching the first pilot venues co-created with young people and local partners — real spaces where people can pause, connect and belong.

This means:

✨ Spaces where connection feels effortless

✨ Welcoming environments to support wellbeing

✨ Locally shaped responses to the things Kingston residents told us matter most

💛 Thank You to Our Supporters

This grant is more than funding — it’s recognition of community voices, creative collaboration, and collective action. Thank you to The National Lottery Awards for All for investing in wellbeing in Kingston.

📣 What Happens Next?

We’re thrilled to be moving from ideas into action. Over the coming months we’ll be sharing updates on the first Mindful Space locations, how local venues can get involved, and stories from those helping shape this initiative.

Let’s build spaces where everyone feels they belong — together.

“Mindful Space has grown directly out of what people in Kingston told us they need — more connection, more understanding, and more places where they feel they belong.

This funding helps us turn those insights into action, and we’re really thankful to The National Lottery and to everyone who has helped shape this work so far.”

— Hicky Clark, CEO, Kingston Giving