HPFT

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Support services for ethnic minority communities face significant challenges due to deeply rooted stigmas and cultural beliefs, particularly within the African and Caribbean and South Asian communities. These factors often deter individuals from seeking professional assistance, exacerbating mental health issues. One Vision’s Watford Project, in partnership with Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT), aimed to improve access to mental health services for these communities by fostering inclusivity and understanding through culturally sensitive approaches. This one-year project focused on improving the long-term health and wellbeing of African and Caribbean individuals by facilitating access to necessary mental health support and encouraging a healthy lifestyle.

One Vision Initiative

The Watford Project was partnership between One Vision with Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT). The project was aimed to connect care with culture, emphasising the importance of tailored support for marginalised populations. The project used a four-pillar approach, incorporating exercise, nutrition, culture, and faith to deliver mental health support. Engagement sessions were held in community venues, both faith-based and non-faith-based, to provide safe spaces for open discussions about mental health. These sessions aimed to reduce stigma and cultural barriers by leveraging the expertise of faith leaders and community leaders creating a deeper understanding and acceptance of mental health issues.

Our Approach

One Vision’s approach involves diversifying outreach efforts to include various community settings and online resources, making mental health support accessible and relatable. The creation of a flowcode page for easy access to information, virtual coffee mornings, WhatsApp groups, and other resources reflected the commitment to promoting mental health literacy and reducing stigma. These efforts aimed to empower individuals within the African and Caribbean communities in Watford to prioritise their mental wellbeing and seek timely support. The initiative emphasised the importance of cultural sensitivity and trust-building to effectively address mental health disparities and inequalities.

One Vision’s community connectors, which includes faith leaders, community leaders, and other members of the community who have deeper connections and social and/or professional standing within their communities were a key resource in delivering the project successfully.

Meet The Team of The Watford Project

Enoch Kanagaraj

Leadership & Project Management

Harjit Singh DL

Leadership & Project Management

Sharon Platt-McDonald

Director for Health, Women’s Ministries and Adventist Community Services
Trustee, One Vision

Abhha Sandill

Project Lead

Jasbir Surana

Project Manager HPFT

Adrienne Coward

Key Resource EPMHS

Charmaine Lily

Project Lead
One Vision - Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT)

The Watford Project, a partnership between One Vision and Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT), represents a significant step in addressing mental health challenges within the African and Caribbean communities in Watford.

“Building Bridges and Community Bonds”

Read more

Contact Us

For more information or to get involved as a volunteer or community connector please contact us at
info@ovwatford.org or priyanka@ovwatford.org

Harjit Singh

Chair, One Vision Project

Harjit Singh is One Vision’s Chair of Trustees. He is also a Chair of Watford Interfaith Association (WIFA), Chair of the Eastern Region of Asian Fire Service Association (AFSA) and Trustee for Watford & Three Rivers Trust (W3RT).

He is an Executive Member of the Sikh Council, the Ex-President of Sri Guru Singh Sabha and a Founding Member of the British Organisation of Sikh Students (BOSS).

Singh is passionate about community engagement. He enjoys working in a team with like-minded individuals to bring about change in Watford and the surrounding areas.

In addition to community work, Singh works for the Hertfordshire Fire And Rescue Service. His wife and family are the most important people in his life as they are the ones who support him in achieving his goals.

Dame Helen Hyde DBE

Dame Helen Hyde studied at Witwatersrand University South Africa, King’s College London, and the Centre for Holocaust Studies at the Institute of Education London. A career in teaching culminated in becoming Head teacher of Watford Grammar School for Girls. She has been an External Advisor to School Governors and an Executive Mentor to a number of Head teacher. She continues to advise Headteachers.

She teacher the Kindertransport and Holocaust programs in a number of schools. Helen is a Fellow of the Imperial War Museum. She is a Trustee of the Holocaust Education Trust, the National Holocaust Centre and Museum and the Foundation for Jewish Heritage. She was appointed a Holocaust commissioner and sat on the Educational Advisory Board of the National Holocaust Commission.

She organises a large annual Holocaust Conference for 6 th formers and leads many educational trips abroad. Helen is Patron Director of the Rwandan Sisterhood supporting African Women and works with survivors of the genocide and deprived women in Kigali, Zimbabwe and more recently in Nigeria In 2012, Helen was made Dame Commander of the British Empire for services to national education and Holocaust education and in 2 18 she was presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Education by the University of Hertfordshire. Helen Hyde is married to Dr John Hyde and has two daughters.

For more information
abhha@ovwatford.org
priyanka@ovwatford.org
07900 210198

ONE VISION & MACMILLAN'S CANCER CHAMPIONS

VOLUNTEERS WANTED

HELP YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY BY RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT CANCER.

DATES : 3RD OCT, 7TH NOV AND 5TH DEC
PLACE : Healthy Hub at Oxhey Library WD197AG
TIME : 10.00 AM-12.00 PM (DROP-IN)

ONE VISION & MACMILLAN'S CANCER CHAMPIONS

VOLUNTEERS WANTED

HELP YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY BY RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT CANCER.

DATES : 3RD OCT, 7TH NOV AND 5TH DEC
PLACE : Healthy Hub at Oxhey Library WD197AG
TIME : 10.00 AM-12.00 PM (DROP-IN)

For more information
abhha@ovwatford.org | priyanka@ovwatford.org
07900 210198