A Hackney-specific project working in partnership with the East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) has won a distinguished HSJ Award, demonstrating outstanding practices in the healthcare sector.
Hackney CVS, a charity which aims to empower seldom-heard communities within the local area won the Award alongside Mental Health Support Teams (MHST) in the City & Hackney at ELFT for the ‘Innovation and Improvement in Reducing Healthcare Inequalities Award’. The charity – as well as the North East London (NEL) ICB, Hackney Council and the City of London Corporation – worked on the Tree of Life in Schools project for African and Caribbean heritage young people.
Tree of Life is a narrative-based talking therapy approach that aims to respond to groups or communities who have experienced social suffering in contexts where ‘therapy’ may not be culturally resonant. The partnership has piloted the use of this intervention in an innovative way, delivered by trained Peer Leaders from African, Caribbean and dual heritage in secondary schools to groups of young people from the same cultural background.
The aim of the programme has been to give space to young people from African, Caribbean and mixed heritage backgrounds to believe in their own abilities, acknowledge their dreams and talk about difficult experiences in a safe environment. The ceremony took place at Evolution London in Battersea Park and the Award was presented by actor and comedian Matt Lucas.
The collaboration was praised for its dynamic and innovative approach to educating and supporting students at a secondary level. Speaking about the Trust’s Award win, Mariona Garcia Edo, who is the City & Hackney Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Alliance Programme Manager, said: “We are delighted to have won an HSJ Award for the Tree of Life in Schools project.
“This recognises the fantastic work of our Peer Leaders and Education Mental Health Practitioners, and the importance of providing culturally relevant models of support for African, Caribbean and mixed heritage people.” Abigail Asante, who is one of Hackney CVS’ youth leaders, added: “Tree of Life has been instrumental in helping young people in Hackney understand their identity, background and culture.
“The project has given young people the space and time to challenge and see themselves in a positive light. I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the delivery team and seeing the positive change the project is having.
“We must keep this project going.”
