A charity that supports people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs has been announced as KentOnline, kmfm and KMTV's Charity of the Year.

mcch, which is based in Hermitage Lane, Maidstone, provides accommodation, community support, employment and other help to more than 1,600 people across Kent.

It also supports and manages projects around London and the south east of England.

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The charity has helped people get into employment and supported people in moving into homes of their own.

Since it started in 1988, staff and volunteers have been working to provide a range of services for people with disabilities and mental health issues.

One of the ways the service helps people is by offering registered care and supported living to allow people to live independently in their own home.

LISTEN: Sarah Maguire from mcch

It also gives people the opportunity to apply for jobs through some of its own services, some of which are based in the county.

In addition, mcch runs a six-week wellbeing programme to help clients develop their own coping strategies.

Chief executive of the charity, Sarah Maguire, said: "We're a community based charity working all over Kent and the south east of England.

"We provide care and support to people who've got learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs.

"For some people this means providing them with 24-hour care within properties and supported living.

"We also tackle some very difficult issues that are facing people in society now, like hate crime, and we also help people into employment – particularly if they’ve been long-term unemployed due to their mental health.

"Over our 30 years we've helped around about 1,700 people" - Sarah Maguire

"We're a community based organisation and that's really important to us so we're going to be able to reach out and speak to far more people in the Kent area and tell them what we do.

"If anyone's thought about social care and working with people in that area please do get in touch."

This year the charity will be celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Sarah added: "We'll be making a big celebration.

"We've got lots of different fundraising opportunities and all the details can be found on our website.

"Over our 30 years we've helped around about 1,700 people and that's growing year on year."

You can find out more about mcch by logging on to www.mcch.org.uk