We asked Collaborative members and those who work alongside for their thoughts on 2024 and/or their resolutions for 2025.
Dr Nozomi Akanuma, Consultant Psychiatrist, Lambeth SLaM (South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust) Clinical and Care Professional Lead for the Living Well Network Alliance.
My resolution is to learn more about sustainability and to reduce my digital carbon footprint, contributing to Greener NHS and Greener Lambeth.
Anna D’Agostino, Engagement Officer, Healthwatch Lambeth
On a personal level, I will continue to raise awareness of the steps we can all take to maintain our emotional wellbeing.
Anna-Maria Amato, Curator SHARP gallery
For the gallery – I wish to exhibit new artists and artists known to the gallery, in the new space at Blue Star House. I want to document the work of the gallery so that other projects can gain an insight into how important art can be for wellbeing and mirror aspects in their own work. I want to invest some time into exploring pedagogy and its relationship to people with severe mental health problems. I wish to explore the Bethlem archives to create my own artwork about ideas relating to the facets of a person as described by medical notes. With this project I also wish to explore ‘reasons people go into the field of psychiatry-the old and the new’.
Dawn Brecken, Manager, The Harbour
My resolution is to make time to attend more collaborative meetings. https://www.lambethcollaborative.org.uk/38462
Tony Cealy, theatre practitioner, cultural producer and Founder of the Black Men’s Consortium
As we reflect on the past year, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported us, especially Mosaic Clubhouse—our tireless members old and new, the local people that come out and support our community engagement events, collaborators and friends.
Together we want to continue to collaborate together to make creative health and policy change more equitable and inclusive, helping bold ideas and diverse voices flourish. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved this year, but we know there’s still so much more to do as we continue to celebrate the positive role creative health can do to support people with their wellbeing.
Tony Cealy and all at www.theblackmensconsortium.com
Merwaan Chaudhry, Public Health Specialist (Mental Health & Wellbeing), Public Health, Lambeth
As I reflect on my first year working in public mental health within the local authority in Lambeth, it has been a year filled with new opportunities and challenges. I’m thrilled about the exciting projects on the horizon, including the consultation and launch of the new Lambeth Suicide Prevention Strategy and the development of a comprehensive Mental Health Promotion Strategy for the borough.
There is certainly a growing appetite for more collaborative and systemic working across the mental health landscape in Lambeth. I’m eager to contribute to these efforts and to see how we can collectively make a meaningful impact.
My first year in Lambeth Council has been both enlightening and rewarding. I look forward to continuing this journey of growth, learning, and collaboration in 2025. Here’s to another year of progress and innovation!
Stephanie Correia, Trustee SRA (Southside Rehabilitation Association) Ltd
To help keep SRA going 2025 and onwards financially.
Dorrel Bennett Creary, volunteer service user,
I am pleased I have improved on my digital skills, which was last year’s resolution…thank you to Caspar and his team at ClearCommunityWeb
https://clearcommunityweb.co.uk
So happy to hear that some of the Sowing Roots project I was involved with through Loughborough Farm and the Garden Museum is going to be part of the permanent collection upstairs at the museum, great news for 2025.
https://gardenmuseum.org.uk/exhibitions/sowingrootsonline/
Alice Dias, CEO, Carers Hub Lambeth
This year has been another challenging year for many carers with the cost of living crisis, the carer allowance overpayment issues and the pressures facing social care which often result in added pressures carers have to contend with. In 2024 we worked closely with Lambeth and local partners to launch the refreshed Lambeth Carers Strategy, and continued to work hard to meet the demand for our services. Our resolution to 2025 is to continue to work closely with carers, the local authority and partners across health, social care and the voluntary sector to deliver the Lambeth Carers Strategy and increase support for carers across all ages.
Aisling Duffy, Chief Executive, Certitude
As we approach Christmas and a New Year, I am reflecting on 2024 as I am sure many of us are. It has been quite a year for the Lambeth Living Well Network Alliance with lots of external pressures and challenges and it is clearer than ever that it’s the dedication and commitment of so many people working in health and social care together with the incredible resilience and strength of the people drawing on our care and support who continue to inspire and drive us forward. It is energising and motivating to see what can be achieved when we work collaboratively placing individuals at the centre of decision making and this must be our over-riding goal for 2025! Despite the significant challenges ahead, I am optimistic that we can continue to develop solutions together that will help address the ever-increasing demand for services. I look forward to continuing to work with existing colleagues, partners and stakeholders as we move into 2025 and always focused on designing and delivering great services that meet the needs of those we serve.
Julie El-Bahrawy, CEO SRA (Southside Rehabilitation Association) Ltd
2024 has turned out to be a much more positive year than we anticipated 12 months ago. Despite Lambeth deciding to not contract our mental health support service, we have been able to maintain existing activities and still continue to grow, boosting our incoming resources through our social enterprises as well as securing new grants. We are not out of the woods yet and are tirelessly pursuing every viable option to increase our funds, whilst still providing our excellent support to our service users and customers. This year has also seen our service expand its reach into other boroughs. We are now receiving referrals from a much wider area and supporting even more people, and through a generous grant, we have been able to refurbish our kitchen.
Looking ahead to 2025, I envision SRA becoming more sustainable and secure. We have received an additional grant to enhance the energy efficiency of our building, which will hopefully include the installation of new solar panels. This will be a fantastic step towards reducing our carbon footprint and lowering our energy costs. Happy and prosperous 2025 to all!
Lee Elliott, Coordinator – Employment, Information & Training, Mosaic Clubhouse
I don’t do resolutions.
Resolutions, without a clear plan, are simply a form of procrastination. I believe that, if you’re going to do something, crack on and do it.
Ken Floyd, service user volunteer and Brixton BMX Club champion
I don’t usually make resolutions but it will be to continue on my vocation with Brixton BMX Club in Brockwell Park, which has been my salvation and for which I was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2023. Also to continue volunteering for Lambeth Vocational Services at Beale House (South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust) and at Mosaic Clubhouse, which I returned to this year and am really enjoying.
Ken features in the Living Well Network Alliance Fifth Progress Report 2023/24
Iqbal Golamaully, Peer Support Manager for Solidarity In A Crisis & Lambeth Cluster Manager for Mental Health Supported Living
We would like to thank all our partners who have worked with us and hope to consolidate our working relationship with new colleagues. We aim to reach many more people/organisations in 2025 to raise awareness about mental health crisis and hoping they can reach us whenever the need arises. We have an excellent team of Peer Support Workers with first hand lived experience who are ready to lend a listening ear to anyone on the crisis line.
Let’s keep working together despite the many challenges that we may face in 2025.
Lorraine Gordon, Interim Alliance Director, Lambeth Living Well Network Alliance
My resolution is to ensure the Living Well Network Alliance delivers on partnership working that improves mental health outcomes for our residents. We will do this in cooperation with the Collaborative.
Caspar Kennerdale, Managing Director, ClearCommunityWeb
There are three things I hope to be able to do more within ClearCommunityWeb in 2025.
Firstly, letting go of how I think things should be done and being braver about opening our decision making throughout the team.
Secondly, to deepen the relationship between digital access, wider community engagement and peer support to help residents, neighbours and partners be more resilient to the changes in which we increasingly have to engage with services and support online.
And thirdly to remind ourselves everyday that we are all residents, services users, clients and/or neighbours, regardless of where we spend our time, whether we get paid for it and whether we have other caring duties.
https://clearcommunityweb.co.uk
Anthea Masey, Coordinator Thriving Fiveways and Chair Loughborough Junction Action Group (LJAG)
We have been lucky to get funding from Lambeth council public health to build capacity within our community with a small grants programme allowing residents to run health and wellbeing events in the Fiveways area; and our wellbeing events show how services can benefit when they step out and talk to the people in the community they serve (see link).
For 2025 we hope Thrivings will continue to help join the dots and connect our community to keep well. We meet by Zoom on the 2nd and last Tuesday of the month. And we hope the Collaborative will return for a Breakfast meeting at Loughborough Farm (3 meetings there so far see below) with breakfast dished up by our Platform Cafe, which provided the fayre at the Collaborative Review.
https://www.lambethcollaborative.org.uk/16497
Collaborative visits to Loughborough Farm
https://www.lambethcollaborative.org.uk/16249
https://www.lambethcollaborative.org.uk/15517
https://www.lambethcollaborative.org.uk/7434
Matthew McKenzie FRSA BEM, facilitator of Southwark & Lambeth carer forum & author of “A Caring Mind”
As a Carer Champion dedicated to supporting those caring for loved ones with mental illness, my New Year’s resolution is to deepen the impact of my carer engagement groups by fostering even greater connection, empowerment, and understanding within our community. I will strive to create a safe and inclusive space where carers can share their challenges and successes, while equipping them with practical tools and strategies to navigate their caregiving journey with resilience.
For 2025, I will commit to expanding the range of topics covered in the mental health carer forum sessions, prioritising self-care, mental health crisis management, and advocacy skills, so carers feel better prepared to balance their own needs alongside those of their loved ones. Additionally, I aim to amplify the voices of carers by actively engaging with healthcare providers, plus to ensure their experiences shape mental health services, this includes my role working to include minority carers in the conversation. Together, we can build a stronger, more compassionate network of support in 2025.
Patrick Mitchell, Chair, Healthwatch, Lambeth
I have lived in Lambeth for over 15 years so was delighted to have the opportunity to take on the role of Chair of Healthwatch Lambeth in September of this year. Having spent a 38-year career managing health services it felt good to be able to look at things from the other side in more detail from a patient/service user basis. I have been tremendously impressed by the knowledge and expertise of our staff in understanding user engagement and being able to reach those voices often less in heard in our communities. It is very compelling when you receive feedback that you can then help providers of services translate into tangible change that will make a difference for others.
I would like to publicly thank Dr Sarah Corlett our previous Chair for her kindness and generosity in handover and indeed on behalf of the Board for her 7 years at the Helm where she steered Healthwatch with tireless energy, expertise, and willingness to listen.
We remain committed to the Lambeth Living Well Collaborative (and Living Well Network
Alliance) and I am delighted we have just published our Enter and View report on Luther King ward in South Lambeth Hospital. I hope we will quickly see the implementation of the recommendations we have made on behalf of those being cared for there.
On a personal note I resolve to do more running as I’ve let that slip recently and ensure I keep up the yoga!
David Monk, Chair of the Collaborative
To seek out a little excitement where there is restrain and liberty where there are constraints.
Beverly Randall, Programme Manager, Mosaic Clubhouse
My new year’s resolution is to encourage more of the clubhouse members to volunteer at the clubhouse baby bank. The clubhouse has been hosting a baby bank for the past 3 years; we support people who need clothing and equipment for children under five. The members find it rewarding as it helps them to feel they are giving something back to the community. Sanctuary members prepare the clothing in age range the day before. This is meaningful work for them.
My personal resolution is to take time out for myself.
Lee Roach, Head Occupational Therapist – Lambeth Operational Directorate, Carers lead for Lambeth Adult Services
My new year’s resolution is to ensure that family, friends and carers are in receipt of a carers welcome pack when their loved one has contact with a team and shares their contact information with us. The Welcome pack includes key contact information for services, care coordinators and others in the team to increase communication between teams and families.
Margherita Sweetlove, Public Health Specialist – Tobacco Control & Workplace Health,Public Health,Integrated Health and Care, Lambeth
Where has 2024 gone?! Hoping that 2025 will go slower. My resolutions would be to try and stay connected to the work of the collaborative, even with my new portfolio. I will endeavour to prioritise mental health and wellbeing as part of workplace health and to support residents who smoke and live with a mental health condition to quit smoking.
Guy Swindle, Deputy Director, Living Well Network Alliance
2024 has been a challenging year – financially and operationally – and 2025 is set to be at least as challenging, probably more so.
My work resolution for 2025 is to do to my upmost, against this challenging backdrop, to ensure the Alliance continues to develop as the foremost integrated mental health service in the country. This will involve a commitment to:
- Working with the Collaborative and all those who care about mental health services in Lambeth to deliver the big 3 outcomes.
- Reinvigorating our commitment to co-producing services that better meet the mental health needs of those we support, particularly those from our Black, Latin American and LGBTQ+ communities, who are too often under-served.
- Using PCREF (Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework) to drive change through a consistent and sustained focus on improving access, experience and outcomes.
Ben Taylor, Chief Executive, South East London Mind (SEL Mind)
It’s been a positive first year for us as South East London Mind, and we’ve really enjoyed connecting with people and organisations across Lambeth. In 2025, we’re keen to build on this and continue to grow the range of services we provide, including through the further development of our LGBTQIA+ Queer Minds peer support project. www.selmind.org.uk
Bill Tidnam, Chief Executive, Thames Reach
Looking at last year’s resolution I talked about the Alliance contract being renewed for the next three years, and about the Collaborative growing in terms of its membership and influence on the way that services work in Lambeth. It feels like we’ve made progress in these areas with the contract extended and more regular in-person Collaborative meetings. I think that working together like this is the best way for us to navigate the difficult year ahead together, and to continue to focus together on how we can better meet the needs of the people of Lambeth.
Beth Towle, Alliance Development Manager, NHS SE London ICB (Lambeth)
Hope 2025 is a blessed year for everyone! Hoping to make collective change and be meaningful with our actions!
David Warner, service user
NEVER PUT OFF UNTIL TOMORROW WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY…
Karen Hooper, special thanks to Matthew Ramsay from Mosaic Clubhouse for his website wizardry.