Ciaran Biggins can be found every Saturday morning selling fresh fruit and veg but he is much more than your average market stall holder.

The 30-year-old co-founded MindFood, a social enterprise which helps people with mental health issues, and has been nominated by Acton Vale vicar the Reverend Mark Bishop, who is on the MindFood advisory board, for the positive impact he has had on so many people.

Mindfood helps local people suffering from mental health issues by encouraging them to grow their own fruit and veg.

This is done at a farm in Amersham, and it is this fresh produce which is sold each week at Acton Market.

Mr Bishop, 32, said: “There would be no MindFood without Ciaran. He was the founder, he thought of it in the first place. It’s his baby. He’s a great example of someone who has a dream and used it for the good of others.

“He’s a great guy and cares about not creating something that’s cool but something that can transform people’s lives.

“It is brilliant, creative and fun, but it’s also quite sophisticated as it gives people dealing with various mental health issues a chance to get back in touch with the land.”

MindFood has been running since 2012, and Ciaran, from Rosemont Avenue, Acton, felt his nomination reflected the good work of MindFood.

He said: “It’s a bit of a shock! But I’m really pleased as it shows the people that we support that the Ealing community have really got behind MindFood and what we are doing.

“We sensed that from all the great feedback we get from customers when we run the market stall in Acton, but this really emphasises that we have the support of the local community.”

In its first full year MindFood helped more than 30 people aged between 15 and 71.

Ciaran said: “We know that as a result 77 per cent feel happier, 85 per cent feel calmer and 90 per cent made friendships meaning they felt less socially isolated.”

MindFood works with charities in the borough such as Cape, Mind in Ealing and Hounslow and Green Corridor.

Ciaran, who is also a trustee for Mind Ealing and Hounslow, got the idea for MindFood after volunteering with Oak Tree Church in Acton. He helped on a stall offering free tea, coffee and a friendly ear.

He added: “You meet people with mental health needs in the area. People said they were sidelined from society.

“This shows people they can produce something and see the fruits of their own labour.”

MindFood has gone on to supply local veg box scheme Edible Ealing, helping to supply produce for the boxes which are then sold to the community.