Julie Matthews, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Chard-based charity Watch CIO, has been awarded the prestigious British Empire Medal in recognition of her unwavering commitment to mental health support. The award ceremony took place on Thursday, October 16, at The Newt in Bruton, where the medal was presented by the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Mohammed Saddiq.
Julie’s honour comes as part of the King’s Birthday Honours list announced on June 14, acknowledging her outstanding services to mental health in Somerset. This recognition follows recent national acclaim for Watch CIO, which was highly commended at the BBC Make a Difference Awards earlier this month.
Reflecting on the accolade, Julie Matthews expressed her humility and gratitude: “I am deeply honoured to receive this award, which reflects the dedication of everyone at Watch CIO. Our journey began in 2010 with the charity’s foundation, building on a small peer support group I started in 2007 called Chard Intentional Peer Support.”
She emphasized the importance of peer support in combating isolation: “Intentional Peer Support is close to my heart because loneliness and isolation hinder personal growth. At Watch CIO, we walk alongside individuals on a shared journey, helping them find their own voice and potential.”
Watch CIO, which stands for Working All Together in Chard, has long been a valued community presence. Its latest initiative leverages nature and conservation to enhance mental health and wellbeing. Julie encourages those aged 18 and over who might benefit from outdoor peer group activities to get involved: “We have exciting upcoming events like tree planting, pruning, and partnerships with local farms, all designed to foster connection through nature.”
Anyone interested in joining Watch CIO as a member or volunteer can reach out via email at [email protected] or visit their website at www.watchproject.org.uk.