Will Poulter Attends The Circle's First Birthday

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Hollywood star has always supported local mental health safe space

Will Poulter talks to attendees at the round table event. Picture: The Circle

February 8, 2024

The Circle, a local facility which provides a safe space for young people to talk about their mental health, was celebrating its first birthday this week.

Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing and Hounslow Mind (HFEH) hosted a round table event to mark the milestone which was attended by the film star Will Poulter.

Chiswick born Will has been a supporter of the café since its inception and has campaigned for more support for young people struggling with their mental health.

As the HFEH Mind Youth Services Ambassador, he led the session along with HFEH Mind’s Clinical Lead & Director of Children and Young Peoples Services Nana Owusu.

Will said, “I’m so happy this space exists and really excited about the many ways the Circle can expand its services and locations. I want to see more of these because of the lives we are saving, and the work being carried out here is lifesaving.”

Will Poulter with children at the event. Picture: The Circle

They were joined at the event at 46 South Ealing Road on Monday (5 February) by local MP Rupa Huq as well as NHS Clinical Directors and Leads, campaigners, former government special advisors, service users and staff to discuss the work carried out by The Circle and what its future holds. The MP for Ealing Central and Acton described hearing from service users and their parents as ‘inspiring and moving’.

The event coincided with Children’s Mental Health Week which is running from 5-11 February.

Rupa Huq MP (centre) prepares to cut the birthday cake. Picture: The Circle

Circle is a first of its kind hub space and café that offers support for young people who are at, or near crisis point with their mental health. Over 500 children and young people have accessed the Circle in the last year. Most of the young people attending A&E for mental health support are dealing with anxiety, depression, self-harming behaviour and suicidality risks.

Nana Owusu said, “I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved in such a short space of time here at the Circle. We are a vital part of wrap around care and together we will continue to destigmatise mental health and help children and young people access the help they so desperately need.”

Johan Redelinghuys, Clinical Director for Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services, West London NHS Trust added, “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.”

Dr Huq concluded, "The success of the Circle underlines just how important it is that open-access mental health hubs are made available to all young children and young people in every community across the UK."

Children and Young People aged 5-18 who are in active mental distress can access the service for advice, support, or just to talk, with drop-in or appointment-based services available. The Circle team is made up of a variety of multidisciplinary professionals, including mental health nurses, art psychotherapists, mental health therapists, mental health practitioners and occupational therapists.

You can find out more information about the Circle crisis café here.

Find out more about HFEH Mind here.

 

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