Kenward hosted a very special moment when Andy Watson was “blown away” as he received a surprise award from the High Sheriff of Kent for his outstanding work in schools and community, all his colleagues and family were there to help celebrate the moment.

Andy Watson, Substance misuse, Education and Outreach Youth and Community Worker at Kenward Trust, Kent’s leading alcohol and drug rehabilitation has used his own personal journey to positive light, running back-to-back intervention and education programmes in schools across Kent and Medway.

Gill Fargher, High Sheriff of Kent, was astounded by the quality and impact of delivery after seeing Andy and his colleague Kim Webster, presenting Kenward’s Think Differently education and intervention programme in a school in Ashford. Both Kim and Andy’s stories are driven by personal experiences – Andy’s was a lifetime of drugs and alcohol, in and out of prison with near death experiences, to rehabilitation at Kenward and reform. Andy was a resident at Kenward Trust in 2002, he has been delivering drug and alcohol intervention support programmes since 2005, he then officially joined the Kenward Youth Services Team in 2010. 

Kenward Trust would not be able to deliver these important and life-saving services without the crucial funding of councils such as Sevenoaks District Council and Tunbridge Wells Council.

CEO Penny Williams of Kenward Trust says, “We are hugely proud of our Youth Services Team, Andy deserves this recognition, I am thrilled for him. His work continues in the community, helping young people in Anti-Social Behaviour hotspots, mentoring young people, where he is able to get through to those hard-to-reach young people who are really struggling and provide support for their family too. This is very important part of the Kenward Trust offering and are always keen to look for funding and support to help us keep this crucial work going.”

This event was made exrta special with the attendance of Andy’s wife Nancy, his two children and grandchildren. Members of Tunbridge Wells Council Community and Safety Team, Trustees and Staff members. An exciting fact of the day - Jean Park, Trustee at Kenward was awarded one of the very first High Sheriff’s award back 20 years ago for work she did for women involved with addictions in Dartford. Her presentation took place in Canterbury Cathedral.

If you are a school and would like to book your schools talk - click HERE to contact to Christy Bishop Think Differently Lead. If you would like to sponsor a schools visit - click HERE to contact Hetty Palmer Head of Marketing and Fundraising