Breaking Barriers

The 888 Collective is a social enterprise that supports people with mental health issues on their journey back into the workplace through a range of courses and events, and was set up by founder Jana Dowling after her own experiences with mental health issues and work. After being helped back into work by a patient and supportive friend, Jana realised that not everyone in her position would be so lucky and so started The 888 Collective to try to help more people get back to work, as well as to educate the wider public about mental health. Jana now runs self-development and mental health management courses for those with mental health issues looking to get into the work environment, and also for those who are in work looking to better manage their mental health. For those who are looking to get back to work, they get to experience what it’s like to be in the workplace while on the courses, which really helps alleviate anxiety and concerns about what to expect when they get back to work. Jana also runs 88L8’s, events where she takes over a bakery in Dalston and gives shifts to those who have been on the course.

the888collective.com

Founded by Helen Ralli, Hart Club is a new gallery in SE1 championing neurodiversity within the Arts. Neurodiversity is a concept where neurological differences are to be recognized and respected as any other human variation. These differences can include those labeled with Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Dyscalculia, Autistic Spectrum, Tourette Syndrome, and others. Hart Club commissions original artwork that represents neurodivergent artists to make and exhibit work at the gallery, as Helen found that artists with conditions such as ADHD are often marginalised in the art world and winder society. Seeking to redress this imbalance, Hart Club has an ongoing focus on collaboration and forging working relationships between established artists and talented neurodivergent artists, helping to get the recognition and success they deserve.

hartclub.org

Many people find cooking therapeutic and calming and that is exactly what chef Ashley Marsh is hoping to bring to patients at Chelsea and Westminster’s new adolescent mental health ward which helps 13-18 year olds. Ashley is a lecturer at the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and has forged the new partnership with the hospital under its ‘Adopt a School’ programme. Through the partnership Ashley delivers monthly sessions to the young people throughout the coming year, which he hopes will help students in their path to recovery. The sessions have focused on topics such as healthy eating and nutrition, food provenance and identification, knife skills, hygiene and food safety, as well as practical cooking activities. Commenting on the new partnership, Ashley said that ““it really does give me great pleasure in seeing the young people open up and feel relaxed with what we’re doing. These sessions are delivered to individuals who have faced difficulty in life and if we can help take away that feeling from them for any period of time, or even help them on their way to recovery, then that’s all I can ask for.”

royalacademyofculinaryarts.org.uk

Cafe Art is a social enterprise founded by Michael Wong in 2012 which aims to nurture the creative talent of the homeless. Its annual MyLondon project, where 100 disposable cameras are given out to the homeless, allowing them to capture their London, gets better every year and the resulting MyLondon calendar sells thousands of copies. It not only provides income but also encourages creativity, expression and self-esteem from participants as well as helping the public to appreciate the issues surrounding homelessness in a new light.

cafeart.org.uk