I’m thrilled to share that we’ve been shortlisted in three categories at the Health Service Journal Digital Awards 2025—an incredible recognition of our commitment to digital innovation in mental health care!

With over 432 entries and 205 shortlisted projects, being recognised alongside the best in digital healthcare is a huge achievement. The HSJ is one of the most prestigious publications in healthcare and I couldn’t be more proud of our teams for their hard work and dedication.

A key focus for us in the coming years is using technology to free up time for clinical and non-clinical staff—so they can spend less time on admin and more time delivering great care. Seeing our efforts celebrated at this level is truly inspiring.

We’ve been nominated for:
🏆 Improving Medicines Management & Pharmacy Through Digital – ePMA implementation enhancing medication safety
🏆 Digital Literacy, Education & Upskilling – Our Digital, Data & AI Academy, empowering our workforce
🏆 Digital Team of the Year – Our EPR Programme, ensuring efficient, secure patient records

Over the next few months, judging panels will assess shortlisted entries, before the winners are announced on 26 June at a ceremony in Birmingham. 

A huge congratulations to all our teams for their ongoing dedication, innovation, and hard work! 

We are delighted to announce the launch of a new website designated to our drug and alcohol services. Developed with input from service users and staff, the website provides information about our services, and support available to individuals dealing with drug and alcohol misuse in Enfield, Haringey and Islington. Information for friends and family members can also be found on the website. You can also refer to our drug and alcohol services using our online forms. Visit the new website to find out more.

Visit the new website to find out more

We hope you like it! 

It's my pleasure  to share that mental health leaders from the Portuguese Ministry of Health are partnering with the Trust and UCL to transform mental health rehabilitation services across Portugal.

After visiting our new inpatient rehabilitation services in Highgate East and the Islington community rehabilitation units last year, Professor Miguel Xavier, Portugal’s National Coordinator of Mental Health Policy, and Dr Joaquim Jago were so impressed that they secured ministerial support to replicate our models back home.

In co-designing Highgate East with service users, we wanted to develop a state-of-the-art therapeutic space to support mental health recovery and clinical treatment. It's testament to the efforts of all involved that the Portuguese delegation would like to replicate our models for care. This is something all involved can be really proud of. 

In March 2025, Professor Helen Killaspy met with Portugal’s mental health leadership in Lisbon to refine plans and assess potential sites in Lisbon and Coimbra, with a third unit planned in Porto. Recruitment for staff will begin soon, with Professor Killaspy set to deliver training in the autumn. New staff will also spend two weeks observing clinical practice at Highgate East before launching their own services next year.

Professor Killaspy said ‘This project is a great accolade for the Trust, reinforcing its international reputation as delivering gold standard rehabilitation services for people with the most severe and complex mental health problems. At a time when rehabilitation services are under immense scrutiny, it is particularly validating that Professor Xavier and his team have asked us to share our learning and expertise to help develop similarly effective services in their country. We are very much looking forward to welcoming our Portuguese colleagues to London later this year and to building on this collaboration in the future.’

A team from our Children and Young People's Mental Health Services (CYPMHS) division attended the seventh International Association for Youth Mental Health (IAYMH) conference in Vancouver between 18 and 21 March. They presented their work on 'improving equitable access to mental health services for children and young people in North London'.

The team wanted to tackle the unfair gaps in mental health care for ethnic minority communities, who haven’t always had the support they need. They worked closely with children, young people, and families to understand challenges like stigma, lack of trust, and why mental health services aren’t used as much.

To make a real difference, the team — made up of health workers, community leaders, and engagement experts — teamed up with local communities, faith groups, and set up wellbeing hubs to improve awareness of mental health care and how to access it.

The team didn’t just present their project—they also shared how they make co-production work “The North London Way.” They explained how lived experience, peer support, and co-production are at the heart of their approach, shaping both decisions and service design.

Many organisations still struggle with co-production, so the team’s insights sparked great discussions. Attendees left inspired, especially by the idea that real change starts with passionate leadership.

The conference was a huge learning opportunity for our team, bringing them together with experts, policymakers, and young people from around the world. It reinforced just how important community-driven mental health care is and why making services fair and accessible really matters.

Their experience highlights our Trust’s commitment to innovation, inclusion, and co-production in youth mental health. The team are energised by their experiences in Canada and excited to bring back new ideas to make an even bigger impact in North London and beyond.

On Monday 24 March, our Women’s Network marked International Women’s Day with a special event at Mary Ward House, bringing colleagues together for an inspiring afternoon.   

The day featured several memorable talks from senior leaders at the Trust, as well as a panel discussion and a “career journey map” workshop. Event chair, Gillian Booth, Head of Organisational Development, opened the day by highlighting the many roles women take on, reminding female attendees that “we are more than just our jobs”. She encouraged everyone to “unmask” and embrace their authentic selves as the afternoon unfolded. 

Speakers included Chair Lena Samuels, Chief Digital and Information Officer Sarah Wilkins, and Deputy Chief Executive Natalie Fox. Natalie spoke about the unique challenges women must navigate in balancing career opportunities and professional ambition with reaching milestones in their personal and family lives.

The day was filled with honesty, laughter and personal stories that resonated with attendees.  A huge thank you to Elise and Abigail, our Women's Netowrk Co-Chairs, for organising such an uplifting event, and to everyone who attended!

April marks Stress Awareness Month, an annual event championed by the Stress Management Society to raise awareness of the negative impact of stress on mental and physical health and encourage people to take steps to reduce it.

The theme for Stress Awareness Month 2025 is #LeadwithLove - encouraging us to approach ourselves and others with kindness, compassion and acceptance no matter the challenges we face.

There are a wide range of free resources available to Londoners to help combat stress, including:

• advice on identifying the symptoms and types of stress;
• NHS-approved apps on topics such as mindfulness and meditation;
• articles and podcasts on stress management from people with lived experience;
• helpful guides on dealing with stress and supporting good mental wellbeing.

Visit Good Thinking’s dedicated Stress webpages for more information. Alternatively, you can use Good Thinking’s simple search function to find the right help for you.

Would you like to try something different and try to lift your mood through dance? 

If so, come along to St Paul's Church in Camden Square every Wednesday from 2-3pm. 

Sessions are open to everyone, including service users, carers, neighbours, friends, and family. 

You don't have to have any previous dance experience. There are no fixed steps to learn and the focus is on stress release and revitalisation, as well as building self-esteem.

For further information, please contact David on 07763 334128, or via email davidvital@talktalk.net