Publish date: 6 February 2024
On 5 February The Circle, crisis prevention café marked its first anniversary along with receiving two additional years of funding from the Trust. The celebratory round table event was chaired by renowned British actor and Circle Ambassador for HFEH Mind, Will Poulter and the Youth Services Director and Clinical Lead Nana Owusu.
The event was attended by children, young people and their parents, Dr Rupa Huq Labour MP for Ealing Central and Acton, North West London NHS leaders, Dr Johan Redelinghuys, Clinical Director for Children and Adolescent Mental Health services, West London NHS Trust and James Burgess Commissioning manager.
During the event we heard first hand from the children and young people and their parents on the positive impact The Circle has had on their mental health and wellbeing and how the model of care is working.
Since its pilot launch in January 2023 the crisis prevention café has provided children and young people who are near a mental health crisis, a safe holistic space where they can be supported by café staff who are trained mental health practitioners.
Over the past year the service has received over 500 referrals and drop ins. 340 young people accessed direct interventions and it was observed the age range of 14-16 years were the most impacted.
Also attending the event was Dr Rupa Huq Labour MP for Ealing Central and Acton, who has been following the work of The Circle over the last year.
Dr Huq said:
“I was pleased to hear first-hand from the children, young people and their families on how The Circle has been a vital safe space to support their mental health and wellbeing. With ever increasing demand for children’s mental health services, services like The Circle form an essential part of community mental health care for children and young people. We need to see more of these spaces across the country.”
Spaces like The Circle form a key part of the early intervention mental health support available to children and young people, speaking about this;
Clinical Director for Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services, West London NHS Trust, Dr Johan Redelinghuys said:
"Over the last year we have observed the impact The Circle has had, which shows that making earlier mental health support available to children and young people at risk of going into crisis, increases the chances of a positive outcome for them and their families.
Take a look at this video clip to hear first-hand how The Circle has helped children and young people since 2023.