We are delighted to share that stem4 has won two awards at the Merton Best Business Awards 2026. We were also named Highly Commended in the Best Charity, Social Enterprise or CIC category, and were a Finalist for Merton’s Best Business.
These awards recognise stem4’s impact in the local area, which has always remained a priority even as the charity has grown nationally and internationally.
Best Use of Innovation
This award celebrates organisations that embrace change, challenge convention and use innovation to improve performance, customer experience or impact. Our entry focused on our Clear Fear app and its implementation in local secondary schools, which has seen stem4 grow from a charity known mainly for its apps into one that also offers whole-school early intervention. The approach combines classroom psychoeducation for all students with targeted anxiety support through the Clear Fear app for those who need more help, alongside guidance for teachers, parents and carers. It was shaped with young people and school staff and first piloted in three Merton secondary schools, where 111 students used the app for anxiety support outside school, with the strongest engagement from students reporting medium or high anxiety.
Best Use of Technology
Sponsored by Qudo, this award recognises organisations that have used digital tools, automation, AI or other technology to improve how they work and serve people. The technology behind this is our Clear Fear app, which gives young people a private, practical way to manage anxiety using evidence-based techniques. They can use CBT-based tools such as guided breathing, emotional regulation and worry management privately and at the point of need, including outside school hours. The app was developed with clinical input and young people, and is designed without data harvesting or addictive features.
Highly Commended and Finalist
We were also very happy to be Highly Commended in the Best Charity, Social Enterprise or CIC category, and to be a Finalist for Merton’s Best Business. Congratulations to Wimbledon Guild of Social Welfare and Nineteen Group, who won these categories, and to all the other winners, runners-up and finalists. Thank you to the Merton Chamber of Commerce for recognising the work we do in our local community and across the UK.
We are absolutely delighted to have won two awards at the Merton Best Business Awards as well as being Highly Commended in the Best Charity category, and a Finalist for Merton’s Best Business. As a charity founded in Merton, this recognition is particularly meaningful to us. It celebrates not only the dedication and innovation of our team, but also our commitment to making a real difference to young people’s mental health. We are incredibly proud of our local roots and of the national impact we have achieved. These awards are a wonderful recognition of what can be accomplished when purpose, innovation and community come together.
Dr Nihara Krause MBE (Founder, CEO and Chief Clinical Officer)
About stem4
We are stem4, the UK’s leading digital mental health charity for children and young people. We offer a suite of five mental health apps backed by evidence that support a range of mental health conditions, as well as mental health support online.
Our offerings help thousands of young people manage anxiety, self-harm, depression and eating disorders across the UK every single week. They also help young people build resilience and stay safe online.
Support stem4
Every day, millions of young people go without the vital mental health support they need. Our mission is to ensure that every young person in the UK, regardless of their background or circumstances, has access to high quality, evidence backed mental health resources.
We rely on the generosity of our thousands of supporters to sustain our work year after year. Whether you give through a single donation, a monthly gift or fundraising events, your support is crucial.
Find out more about how you can support stem4.
