The Chief Executive Officer and founder of Chard-based mental health charity, Watch CIO, received her British Empire Medal at an exclusive award ceremony held in Somerset last week.
Julie Matthews was presented with the prestigious award on Thursday, 16 October at The Newt in Bruton by the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Mohammed Saddiq, alongside five other worthy recipients.
Julie was first notified of the award in the King’s Birthday Honours list on 14 June 2025 in recognition of her services to mental health in Somerset.
It follows recent recognition for Watch CIO at the BBC Make a Difference Awards ceremony earlier this month, in which the charity was ‘Highly Commended’ for its work in the community.
Speaking about her British Empire Medal, Julie said: “I am very humbled to have received this award, which recognises the work we are all doing at Watch CIO. I helped establish the charity back in 2010, but before then in 2007 formed a small peer group called Chard Intentional Peer Support.”
Julie continued: “I feel honoured to receive this award and thank you to everybody who nominated me. I feel immensely passionate about Intentional Peer Support because to be isolated and lonely makes it’s harder to reach your true potential.”
“We believe our passionate team at Watch, which I feel is very much a part of this award, walks the pathway alongside individuals on a mutual journey to help them find their own voice and potential.”
Watch – an acronym for Working All Together in Chard – has a long history in the town. The charity’s latest project is to harness the power of nature and conservation for the benefit of mental health and wellbeing.
For anyone interested in being involved with Watch CIO in this capacity, or whether as a new member or a volunteer, email info@watchproject.org.uk visit www.watchproject.org.uk.
