Angie Clarke BEM

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BSU Alumna awarded BEM

Friday, 16 May, 2025

A Bath Spa University alumna has been recognised for her work in the community, as she was recently awarded a British Empire Medal for her services to mental health and sufferers of addiction.

Angie Clarke, who studied a post graduate degree in Counselling, is the founder of mental health charity, Somewhere House Somerset. Raising awareness for mental health and addiction struggles, Angie has dedicated her career to helping adults and children in her local community.

Somewhere House Somerset was founded in 2011, when Angie realised the gap in local services had grown wider for some in the community. Their mission is to provide a therapeutic service for anyone who chooses to access support in the local community. The charity offers three main services: 1 to 1 counselling at a reduced cost, interactive workshops in secondary schools and colleges, and connecting the community to create a supportive environment.

After over 30 years working to support those who struggle with addiction and their mental health, Angie has now made the New Years Honours Club.

Speaking on her award, Angie explained:

“I now have the letters BEM after my name for the work in mental health, addiction and working with those with trauma. I’m amazingly shocked by this but also incredibly grateful to be recognised for all the work I have done in the last 38 years.

I educated myself throughout university and as I had never completed any formal education in my childhood, the university took a risk. It has paid off in so many ways, so thank you, and thank you to all those people I have been able to help.”

Angie started with a rehabilitation centre for people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction in the seaside town of Burnham on Sea, Somerset. They continue to help the local community by providing 24/7 residential care from specialist trained professionals. They also provide a broad range of therapies, including one to one, group, family, couples, relationship, music, art, drama and equine therapy.

“The rehab has been open for 20 years and my career in mental health has been for 38 years. The rehab led me to identifying the gap in the local services when a professional working for the rehab came to myself to ask for help. This confirmed my belief that we all have a responsibility to support our local communities and using the talents we have to improve other people lives.”

Recently, Somewhere House launched a podcast on Youtube, in which Angie and fellow Trustee, Mike, discuss mental health topics, occasionally with guests, and share personal stories and experiences.

If you would like to find out more about Somewhere House you can visit their website.  If you would like to hear the Somerset House podcast, ‘Conversations with Angie and Mike’, it’s available on YouTube.