Charity of the Year 2026: An Interview with Danny Hutchinson, Invictus Wellbeing
Invictus Wellbeing were named Charity of the Year at the Community Spirit Awards 2026 in recognition of their outstanding work supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young people across Calderdale and beyond. We caught up with Chief Executive Officer Danny Hutchinson to find out more about the charity’s journey, its impact, and its ambitions for the future.
What inspired you to set up Invictus Wellbeing?
I’ve always been passionate about young people and mental health, partly because of my own experiences and challenges growing up. Chris, who founded Invictus before me as a CIC, shared that same passion. We both felt that if we’d received support earlier in life, some of our own struggles might have been different.
We wanted to create a place where young people could access support early and easily so it was a one-stop shop for young people’s mental health. We knew there was a real need for that, and we’ve built everything around helping young people get the right support at the right time.
When Invictus first started, did you ever imagine it would grow into what it is today?
We always knew we wanted to help as many young people as possible, and we knew that would eventually take us beyond Calderdale. When I joined, we were mainly delivering services in schools across Calderdale. Through support from organisations like the Community Foundation for Calderdale, the West Yorkshire Mayor’s Fund, National Lottery funding and partnerships with other charities and public services, we’ve been able to grow sustainably. It’s been organic growth, driven by one simple goal to help more young people.
How did COVID affect the organisation?
COVID changed everything. Young people lost so many important experiences such as school life, friendships, social activities and support networks. We saw huge levels of isolation, anxiety and distress. Many services were understandably limited during that period, but we were able to respond quickly. We offered online support, walk-and-talk sessions and community-based activities because that’s what young people told us they needed. One of the biggest lessons from COVID was the importance of listening. We built services around what young people were asking for, rather than what we thought they needed.
Invictus has grown significantly, how large is the organisation now?
Across Calderdale, Bradford and Kirklees we now have 64 staff members, which is around 40 full-time equivalent roles. It’s incredible when I think back to where we started. Six or seven years ago we had a turnover of less than £30,000. Today we’re supporting thousands of young people across West Yorkshire.
Ultimately, we want every young person to know that help is available and that they don't have to face challenges alone.
The team is incredibly passionate. What keeps everyone motivated?
For most of our team, this isn’t just a job, it’s a vocation. Nobody works in this sector for glory or financial reward. They do it because they genuinely care about young people and want to build a happier, healthier future generation.
The work can be challenging and emotionally demanding, so we make a conscious effort to celebrate successes. We share stories, feedback and impact every few months as a team. Sometimes there are tears, because we’re reminded of just how much difference our staff are making.
Is there a particular young person whose story has stayed with you?
Absolutely. A young person came to us after experiencing a suicide within their family. They were struggling with self-harm, thoughts of suicide and were at risk of exclusion from school. One of our practitioners, Sharon, simply gave them space. She listened without judgement and built trust over time. That young person gradually began to process what they had experienced, developed coping strategies and rebuilt confidence. Today they are one of our youth leaders, helping shape how the charity supports young people. They even sit on our Board of Trustees.
It’s an incredible example of what can happen when somebody feels heard, supported and believed in.
What do you wish more people understood about Invictus?
Many people assume we’re a large organisation with plenty of funding. The reality is we’re a charity and, like many charities, we’re always working hard to secure funding and diversify our income. We want people to know we’re here for them. If a young person, parent or family needs support, they can pick up the phone and speak to us. But we also need support ourselves. Donations, fundraising and community backing help us continue delivering services and reaching more young people.
What are the biggest challenges facing the sector right now?
Demand continues to rise, while costs continue to increase. Like many charities, we’re being asked to contribute to more partnerships, consultations and strategic work. At the same time, employment costs, National Insurance contributions and general operating costs are increasing.
We want to be an excellent employer and continue delivering high-quality services, but doing that on limited funding is becoming increasingly challenging for many organisations across the voluntary sector.
If you could change one thing in our community, what would it be?
I’d like to see earlier conversations around mental health. We encourage people to visit a doctor when they notice a physical health problem. I’d love us to take the same approach with mental health. The earlier support is offered, the better the outcomes can be. More awareness, more confidence in having those conversations and more training for parents and school staff could make a huge difference.
What are you most proud of?
The trust we’ve built. People trust us to support their children. Funders trust us to use their money effectively. Partners trust us to work collaboratively. Everything we’ve achieved has been built on those relationships and that trust.
Winning Charity of the Year is a huge achievement. What did it mean to you?
Honestly, I was blown away! We’ve never done this work for awards, but receiving Charity of the Year felt like a huge pat on the back, not just for me, but for every member of the team.
There are so many incredible charities doing amazing work across Calderdale. To be recognised alongside them, and ultimately win, was very special.
Sometimes charity work can feel relentless. There is always another young person who needs help and another challenge to overcome so to receive recognition and hear people say, “You’ve done a great job,” means so much. It gives the team a real boost and inspires us to keep pushing forward.
What are your ambitions for the future?
By 2030 we’d like to be supporting young people across all five West Yorkshire local authorities. We’re also working towards establishing a permanent presence in Halifax town centre so that young people can access support more easily when they need it. Alongside that, we want to diversify our services further, offering a wider range of therapeutic options and creating even more opportunities for young people to find the support that works best for them.
Ultimately, we want every young person to know that help is available and that they don’t have to face challenges alone.
Quick Fire Questions
Tea or coffee?
Coffee
Sunrise or sunset?
Sunset
Favourite place in Calderdale?
Hebden Bridge
One word to describe our community?
Together
Best advice you’ve ever received?
“Whatever you are, be a good one.”
Hidden talent?
I can speak Portuguese.
Favourite comfort food?
Chinese food.
What makes you smile instantly?
My cat, Jasper.
