A MENTAL health campaigner from Shirley has been handed a top award.
Katie Houghton, who has previously decorated the entrance to Shirley Park with hearts, was given The Mayor Award by former Birmingham Lord Mayor, Councillor Yvonne Mosquito.
The award is handed out to those who show ‘outstanding achievement or exceptional service.’
The mental health campaigner, who has battled with mental health from her early teens including anorexia, or depression and bipolar disorder, started to give out notes of hope as part of her online blog.
Katie said: “I was totally taken aback and really emotional when I got the letter as I don’t have an awful lot of self confidence so it was an amazing feeling.
“It was lovely to know that what I do has an impact on people and it has made me more determined to do more so that people know its ok to ask for help.”
As well as filling the entrance of Shirley Park Katie has decorated a tree with messages over Christmas and put on displays at Solihull library and Birmingham New Street station.
She has also written a book about her mental health journey called In Bloom Not broken.
