Bernadette Conlon MBE has redefined how Salford approaches mental health, inclusion, and artistic empowerment. In 1993, with nothing but a car boot full of art supplies and a belief that creativity could change lives, Bernadette Conlon MBE founded START Inspiring Minds. What began as a grassroots effort to bring art into mental health support has since grown into a pioneering charity that has helped thousands across Salford find confidence, connection, and purpose.
Where others saw gaps in the system, Bernadette built bridges. Where traditional services failed to reach people, START Inspiring Minds became a place where creativity isn’t just an outlet—it’s a lifeline. The man who once struggled to leave his house now finds confidence in a canvas. The woman who believed she had nothing left to give is now leading workshops, passing on the same hope she was given. The teenager who felt invisible now stands in an exhibition, seeing themselves reflected not as a statistic, but as an artist.
Bernadette’s work is about more than creativity—it’s about restoring dignity and unlocking potential. Fighting to make art-based therapy a core part of mental health recovery, Bernadette has ensured that wellbeing is not dictated by income, bureaucracy, or postcode. Suicide prevention initiatives, digital inclusion efforts, and community-driven mental health programmes are just some of the ways START Inspiring Minds proves that no one is beyond help, and no one should be invisible.
One of the most powerful initiatives Start has created is Reach Out: Start to End Suicide—a public act of remembrance for those lost to suicide, and a movement to ensure fewer lives are lost. It is not just a memorial—it is a call to action. A demand that mental health support must do better.
Beyond START Inspiring Minds, Bernadette’s impact is woven into the fabric of Salford itself. Working alongside councils, health services, and grassroots organisations, Bernadette has helped create a more compassionate, inclusive, and creative city. The MBE is a recognition of tireless advocacy, but the true legacy is found in the lives still being lived because of this work.
Bernadette Conlon MBE proves that art is not just a form of expression—it is a tool for survival.
