A creative learning charity based in Ashington was among the winners at the Northern PoWEr Women Awards for the impact of its innovative school mental health programme, MELVA.

The awards, which took place in Manchester on March 12, marked a milestone 10th anniversary – bringing together leaders, changemakers and organisations from across the North to celebrate those driving meaningful progress in gender equality, as well as inclusion and social mobility.

There were a record-breaking 1,800 nominations this year.

Mortal Fools won the Inclusive Innovation (Tech for Good) category. children. MELVA provides a user-friendly, early intervention and prevention approach, designed to be used by schools with primary school aged children.

Kiz Crosbie and Zoe Anderson (second from left, centre) from Mortal Fools receive the Inclusive Innovation (Tech for Good) award.

placeholder image — Kiz Crosbie and Zoe Anderson (second from left, centre) from Mortal Fools receive the Inclusive Innovation (Tech for Good) award.

Through creative digital resources, engaging characters and fun practical classroom activities, the programme equips young people (and their teachers) with essential tools to recognise emotions, build resilience and support their own well-being.

Kiz Crosbie, artistic director and CEO of Mortal Fools, said: “I am delighted and proud that the impact of our MELVA digital programme has been recognised at the 2026 Northern PoWEr Women Awards.

“This award acknowledges the success of our digital platform and participatory storytelling as an early intervention and prevention approach to children’s mental health and well-being.

“In receiving this award, we share it with all of the teachers who use the programme in their classrooms, the talented creatives who have been part of making it and the belief in this work demonstrated by our key funding partners – especially the North East Combined Authority and the Kavli Trust – who have been fundamental to the programme’s development and growth in the last few years.”