When a member of Mark Peters' family was diagnosed with depression, he noted the stag-gering lack of facilities and support available in the city.
Determined to ensure other families in Birmingham would have better help in the future, the youth worker decided to dedicate his time to developing the "Start Again" project.
Mr Peters' vision was to create a network of family and peer carers, and support workers, to cater for needs of young people at different stages of mental illness and breakdown.
In December, the project - aimed at supporting young people aged 13 to 25, was recognised by The Birmingham Post and UnLtd Foundation in the Midlands Social Impact Awards.
The award highlights the positive impact made by the city's entrepreneurs on society and aims to show how business can be both ethical and socially responsible.
Winners of the award - announced monthly, are offered a complete package of funding and support with £500 to £5,000 available for running costs.
As part of his project, Mr Peters will use the funds to develop a website.
"There will be an interactive and informative website, where young people can get information on depression," he said.
"It should be live from May with links to other websites and also information on different projects that youth workers might be able to do.
"I think everyone suffers from depression. It is just about coping mechanisms and young people should be treated as adults." In September, entrepreneur Clive Smith was also recognised by the award.
Through his community work, Mr Smith - one of the few black civil engineers within the construction industry, noticed limited aspirations or access points to the industry for BME communities.
His project "Groundwork" aims to find young unskilled workers local work placement opportunities with local contractors or public sector agencies.
The project will train them in all areas of groundwork services such as kerb laying, excavating for foundations, block paving, drainage and so on.
Mr Smith said the purpose of the service was to provide jobs for local people, who face barriers when seeking work within the industry for a variety of reasons including financial pressures, lack of education low social status, inadequate housing or poor health.
"Within the east side of Birmingham, there is a big skill gap," he said. "It is a case of training local people who can be employed by local companies or agencies.
"Working in construction for over 15 years, I have never come across any BME people who work in that discipline and so for me, it is like an unknown and I would like to find out why that is.
"I have started off by going to the Chamber of Commerce. By linking up with them, I will link up with other agencies. Schools will also be a focal point and youth clubs.
"It will help them be a part of their own community, while building it up as well.
"The project is still in its infancy but I am sure by the summer, we shall have proper proposals."
