Piotr Skoczylas, the tricycling founder of Stol Coffee, has won a national award for his efforts to combat mental health issues throughout the pandemic.

Piotr won the 'COVID-19 Unsung Hero' award at the 2021 This Can Happen Awards. The Polish-born Penarthian founded Stol Coffee during lockdown with the goal of bringing the community together over coffee and freshly baked cookies.

He strives to improve mental health through having 'meaningful conversations'. His business and personality have proved remarkably popular.

The people of Penarth recently rallied to raise over £7,000 for Piotr to purchase a new tricycle. Donors called him an "inspiration" and "asset for Penarth".

The This Can Happen Awards were launched in 2019 to celebrate and recognise companies and individuals who have shown excellence in their approach towards positive mental health for their employees and colleagues.

This was the Unsung Hero category's first year, but previous award winners include Accenture, Legal & General, National Grid, Wave, Salesforce, Fidelity and Royal Mail Group.

"It's amazing to know that what you do has a real impact," Piotr told Nub News. "Lots of multinational companies were nominated, so it's great that they get to see the value and effectiveness of small personal initiatives such as Stol Coffee. Maybe it might show them the importance of building relationships and improving staff wellbeing.

"The most important thing is that I was acknowledged but he Ingram family in Penarth and that Keith nominated me. Yes, I got recognised internationally, but the most important thing is that I've established trust with my community in Penarth and for that I am eternally grateful.

"I hope this story can inspire other people to do similar things. We all can make this world a better place."