The mayor is the first citizen of the borough. Members of the council nominate a councillor each year to take on this role.Art for All Mental Health
Art for All Mental Health is a Cheltenham-based charity dedicated to supporting adults living with mental health conditions across Cheltenham and the wider Gloucestershire area. Through therapeutic creative sessions, the charity helps people manage their wellbeing in welcoming and inclusive environments. Sessions take place at community venues, local green spaces, and through outreach programmes that bring creative support directly to other organisations and communities. Participants can explore a wide range of creative activities including drawing, painting, printmaking, woodworking, crafts, poetry and photography. These activities are designed to build confidence, reduce isolation and strengthen mental health. Art for All recognises that living with a mental health condition can often feel isolating, and their sessions provide opportunities for connection with others who share similar experiences. The charity prioritises creating safe and supportive spaces where creativity becomes a tool for healing and personal growth. By encouraging expression and participation, Art for All helps individuals develop resilience, gain a renewed sense of purpose, and build meaningful social connections. Participants regularly report feeling less alone, more confident, and better equipped to face life’s challenges. Through the proven benefits of creativity, Art for All Mental Health supports sustainable improvements in wellbeing while strengthening community connections.
ITSA Digital Trust
ITSA Digital Trust is a Cheltenham-based charity that transforms lives in both the UK and Africa by providing underserved communities with access to essential IT equipment and digital skills training. The organisation refurbishes donated computers, giving them a second life while reducing environmental waste. To date, ITSA has processed more than 135,000 computers, distributing refurbished devices to local charities and individuals who lack access to technology. Beneficiaries in the UK include older citizens, young carers, refugees, job seekers and others disadvantaged by limited digital access or skills. Alongside equipment, ITSA provides training and volunteering opportunities that help people gain confidence and improve prospects for education and employment.
Internationally, ITSA supports schools in countries including Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Kenya. The charity has provided IT equipment to educate millions of children, installed IT laboratories, and trained thousands of teachers in digital skills. In the UK, ITSA has supported tens of thousands of people through skills development and partnerships with community groups. The organisation also offers placements for volunteers, work experience students, and individuals returning to employment, as well as running programmes within prisons to support rehabilitation. Through technology reuse and education, ITSA Digital Trust empowers individuals, strengthens communities and promotes sustainable environmental practices.
Young Gloucestershire
Young Gloucestershire is a countywide charity supporting young people aged 14 to 25 who are facing significant challenges in their lives. Working across Cheltenham and the wider county, the organisation helps young people build confidence, motivation and skills to improve their futures. Young Gloucestershire provides practical and emotional support for a wide range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, social isolation, self-harm and suicidal thoughts. Support is flexible and tailored to individual needs, delivered face to face, by phone, text or online, ensuring young people feel comfortable and in control of their journey.
The charity also supports young people to gain qualifications, develop life skills and reconnect with learning. For those under 16, Young Gloucestershire works with schools and alternative education providers to help re-engage young people who have become disengaged from education. For those over 16, the focus shifts to preparing them for employment through training, qualifications and skill-building opportunities. The organisation provides targeted one-to-one support for young people facing complex challenges, including substance misuse, family difficulties and social exclusion. Young Gloucestershire also works with families, helping to strengthen support networks and break cycles of disadvantage. By building trusted relationships and offering holistic support, the charity empowers young people to overcome challenges and create positive, sustainable futures.