Nicola Harteveld was one of our finalists for Women’s Awards Wales on 3rd March. Through her incredible work, Nicola founded the Megan’s Starr Foundation in 2017, after the loss of her daughter to both verbal and online bullying at just 14. This foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and supporting young people who struggle with mental health and bullying. Since then, Nicola has highlighted the importance of the collaboration between mental wellbeing professionals, parents, caregivers, and schools, in order to break the stigma surrounding young people reaching out for help.

“Check In, Don’t Check Out” Campaign

No other time in our society have we needed more genuine connection, as hurried conversations, and online networks, have harmfully replaced meaningful interactions, eroding community relationships. As a result, this campaign shines a light on the importance of reaching out, and genuinely checking in on others, rather than a simple text message, or quick chat, to ensure no one struggles alone.

Across 31 days of this campaign, starting on 1st May 2026, activities will take place across Pembrokeshire, whether that be communities coming together to spread the campaign’s message, individuals making sure to check in on each other, or people uniting in organised activities, including coffee runs, walks, or community gatherings.

One activity includes The Dragon Walk across Pembrokeshire, to promote campaign awareness, bring communities together, and further raise funding. A key aspiration for this organisation would be to fund a youth mental health co-ordinator, to help raise awareness, face the increasing demand from parents and caregivers, and facilitate the collaboration between schools, community groups, and youth organisations.

Aims and Outcomes

Promoting Real Connection:

Transforming short interactions into genuine, meaningful conversations, and breaking away from the stigma surrounding discussions about mental health.

Building Everyday Resilience:

Communities not only support their own mental wellbeing, but also share and promote ways others can support theirs.

Driving visible, measurable action:

Through donations, community commitments to regularly check in on others, and the generation of funding to facilitate the campaign’s outreach.

Amplify Reach Locally and Beyond:

Helping to expand the campaign’s message across Pembrokeshire, and throughout the UK, through supporting the development of future mental health initiatives, and normalising conversations surrounding prevention and early mental health support.

Supporting Prevention and Advocacy:

Supporting prevention and advocacy through sharing real stories, community insights, and spreading shared experiences of loneliness and connection.

Our Mission

Our mission in supporting women and communities across Wales closely aligns with Nicola’s aim of providing advocacy and practical action to support young people. Together, we can further amplify the campaign’s message, by using our connections to provide support and create content that helps share the message.

Click HERE to Donate to Megan’s Starr Foundation.