The Mayor's Charities

Each year the Mayor chooses two charities to support during the Mayoral year with fundraising events and promotion.

For 2024/25 the Mayor has chosen the charities Youth Talk and The Harpenden Trust's Wellbeing Hub. Details of these charities are below:

Youth Talk

Youth Talk was founded in 1997 and has helped thousands of young people through tough times for over 26 years by providing a free, confidential counselling service.

Their vision is to ensure that every young person can talk to someone, who can help with whatever’s worrying them and their mission is to provide the best possible mental health support to young people in St Albans and the surrounding areas.

Any young person who lives, goes to school/college or works in St Albans District can refer themselves for help. 

Youth Talk provides a safe space to talk, in total confidence, about whatever is on a young person’s mind. No permission is needed to talk to the charity and every conversation is kept private (unless this puts them or others at risk). 

Both individual counselling and group therapy are available, depending on what the young person and counsellor feels is best for them.

Youth Talk is needed now more than ever before.

For more information and to donate:

Donate Now - Youth Talk

The Harpenden Trust's Wellbeing Hub

The aim of the Harpenden Trust – to help Harpenden people in need individually and collectively – remains the same as when it was founded in 1948 by local people, with Dr Charles Hill (later Lord Hill) the first President and Dr Agnes Kelynack the first Chairman.

Even though Harpenden is regarded as a wealthy community, there are still residents suffering hardship - financial or otherwise - and people in need of the support of a good neighbour. The Harpenden Trust acts as that good neighbour with the active support of the Town’s residents.

The role of the Trust and the work of its volunteers was recognised in 2008 (its 60th birthday) with the bestowing of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest honour given to voluntary groups in the UK.

The Trust’s support for individuals, families and community organisations in the Harpenden area, the AL5 postal district, continues today, more than 75 years on from the Trust’s founding.

The Harpenden Trust Wellbeing activities are an integral part of the overall Harpenden Trust Care Fund.  The Trust works with the Harpenden Health Primary Care Network, MIND in Mid Herts and a number of both national and local charities on a wide range of initiatives across Harpenden supporting the wellbeing of AL5 residents of all ages. In partnering with charities working in specific health sectors, the Trust has been able to amplify these charities' work across our local community.

For more information and to donate visit:

Donate Now - Harpenden Trust

Throughout the Mayoral year, many fundraising events are held, you can read more about these in our Online Calendar.

Upcoming Events (more details in the Online Calendar):

Mayor's Annual Charity Quiz - Friday 6 September. Details to follow.

If you would like further information about the Mayor's Charities and events please contact Democratic Services & Civic Officer, Jane Juby, on 01582 463662 or via email: jane.juby@harpenden.gov.uk