Charity - West Central London Mind

West Central London Mind is a leading London-based charity providing expert mental health support and clinical services across London. Through a clinically-led, community-focused approach, they offer over 25 tailored services for adults and young people. Working in collaboration with the NHS, local authorities, and community partners, they aim to empower individuals to live life on their own terms, regardless of mental health challenges. As an independent, self-funded organisation, they draw on decades of local knowledge to deliver impactful, inclusive support.

The Mind Matters Programme

  • Developed and delivered by West Central London Mind

  • Locations: Brent, London - St Claudine’s Catholic School for Girls & Harris Lowe Academy Willesden

The Mind Matters programme is a psychoeducational initiative designed to promote mental health awareness, emotional resilience, and wellbeing in young people.

Thanks to the support of the David Riddell Memorial Fund, the programme was delivered across two secondary schools in Brent between June and October in 2024. It engaged 212 students in 14 sessions that created a safe space to explore emotions, mental health, and practical strategies for self-care.

Schools & Sessions Delivered:

• St Claudine’s Catholic School for Girls – Years 8–10 (7 sessions)

• Harris Lowe Academy Willesden – Years 7–8 (7 sessions)

Sessions were interactive, relatable, and run in familiar classroom environments with regular teaching staff present to maintain trust and engagement.

Impact

The programme led to measurable changes in student awareness, behaviour, and openness.

Improved Mental Health Awareness

  • 83% of all students felt better able to recognise the importance of their wellbeing.

  • At Harris Lowe: 77.21% improved confidence identifying their own mental health needs.

  • At St Claudine’s: 81.8% reported a deeper understanding of mental health.

More Confidence to Speak Up

  • 65.19% at Harris Lowe felt more able to talk about their feelings.

  • 78.8% at St Claudine’s were more comfortable discussing emotions.

Willingness to Use Coping Strategies

  • 85% of all students intended to use the strategies learned.

  • At St Claudine’s, 83.8% committed to applying what they’d learned.

Early Intervention & Hidden Needs

  • 17% of Harris Lowe students requesting extra support had not been previously identified.

  • At St Claudine’s, 30.3% asked for follow-up support—revealing significant need to mental health support.

Strong Demand for More

  • 81% of all students wanted to attend future sessions.

  • Staff at both schools stressed the value of continuing this vital work.

Feedback

  • ‘The sessions were very informative and helpful to our students. They learned several coping strategies, gained a deeper understanding of the content taught, and had the chance to connect with mental health services in Brent, as well as the support we provide within our school.’ Teacher, St Claudine’s Catholic School for Girls

  • ‘There was exceptionally powerful engagement from the students. A standout moment was during a session with Year 9 students on sexual harassment, consent, and their impact on mental health. The students were particularly engaged in discussions on how social media can affect mental health and future employment opportunities. It was heartening to see their awareness of these issues and the potential impact on their futures. I also noted the students' willingness to explore difficult thoughts and emotions related to their mental health.’ Teacher, St Claudine’s

  • ‘It was great to see our students discussing the importance of managing emotions. It was nice to see the students fully engaged in the well-planned and well thought-through activities.’ Vice Principal, Harris Lowe Academy

  • ‘We found Maneet Relom, the trainer, to be punctual, approachable, and she gave students the opportunity to express their feelings and share their ideas. Overall, we are happy that Mind in Brent, Wandsworth and Westminster came into our school and look forward to working with you again in the future.’ Teacher, St Claudine’s

Why This Matters

The Mind Matters programme is a gateway to awareness, empowerment, and emotional safety for students who may never have had these conversations otherwise.

Thanks to the programme, the schools were able to better support their students, identify hidden challenges, and build a culture that values emotional wellbeing.