The borough’s Tree of Life project received the ‘Innovation and Improvement in Reducing Healthcare Inequalities Award’ at the annual Health Service Journal (HSJ) Awards 2023 on Thursday, 16th November, before receiving the ‘Mental Health and Wellbeing Award’ at the Children & Young People (CYP) Now Awards a week later.
The former is recognised as the ‘Oscars’ of the healthcare sector.
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 secondary schools with the support of Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) in an innovative way, delivered by trained peer leaders from African, Caribbean and dual heritage backgrounds to school students 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.
Partners involved in the project included Hackney CVS, a charity which aims to empower seldom-heard communities within the local area, the North East London (NEL) ICB, MHSTs, Wellbeing and Mental Health in Schools Service (WAMHS) in the City & Hackney, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) at the East London NHS Foundation Trust, Hackney Council and the City of London Corporation.
The HSJ Awards 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.
At the ceremony, the project was described as "a unique approach that is going against the grain to achieve real outcomes through a responsive and flexible way of working”. Specific mention was given to the “respect, collaboration and understanding” at its foundation, and its potential to be shared with other communities to learn from.
The CYP Now Awards was held at the Hurlingham Club in Fulham, recognising those in the healthcare sector working to improve the lives of children and their families.
Speaking about the Trust’s double win, Mariona Garcia Edo, who is the City & Hackney CAMHS Alliance Programme Manager, said: “We are delighted to have won an HSJ Award and a CYP Now Award for the Tree of Life in Schools project.
“These two awards recognise 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 young 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.”