Community spirit shines at Harrow’s first Community Services Month celebration

The spirit of community, compassion and hope filled the room at Bentley House as Harrow’s Community Mental Health Services came together to host their first ever Community Services Month event — a vibrant, in-person celebration of how our teams are transforming lives and supporting people across the borough.

The event brought together staff, service users, carers and local partners from organisations including Age UK and local housing and community services, for an inspiring afternoon of powerful stories, heartfelt speeches and plenty of celebration — complete with refreshments, laughter and, of course, cake.

A celebration of recovery and compassion

The event opened and closed with warm welcomes and uplifting remarks, including a speech from the Mayor of Harrow, Councillor Anjana Patel recognising the invaluable contribution of mental health services in supporting residents to live fulfilling, independent lives.

Gail Burrell, Borough Director for Harrow, reflected on the importance of these stories:

“The speakers emphasised the key to ensuring individuals are directed to the right support, rather than lifelong service dependency. Our goal is to help patients move beyond labels and reintegrate into everyday life.”

The Mayor of Harrow, Councillor Anjana Patel, praised the dedication of local mental health teams, saying:

"Mental health is just as vital as physical health, and every day your teams make sure that no one faces their challenges alone through your care, compassion and commitment. You help people recover, build and thrive. Today we celebrate you, dedicated professionals who make a difference every single day."

Empowerment, teamwork and hope

Staff and service users came together to celebrate achievements, recognise challenges, and look to the future with optimism and determination.

Displays from different teams showcased the diverse range of services supporting Harrow residents — from Older Adults Mental Health and Learning Disability Services to Occupational Therapy and Psychological Therapies — each one focused on empowering people to regain independence and hope.

Speakers also highlighted the crucial role of triage teams in signposting individuals to the right services, the importance of service continuity for quicker recovery, and the need to break down stigma surrounding mental health.

Recognising dedication and shared success

Attendees heard from Experts by Experience who bravely shared their personal journeys of recovery — from times of crisis to rediscovering confidence, connection and purpose. Their stories highlighted how compassionate, person-centred care and community support can truly change lives.

We heard from:

• Alysia, ex-service user, described her journey from childhood CAMHS invovlement, multiple hospital admissions, to completing a DBT course, leading to her current role as a peer mentor
• A parent highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by her autistic son and expressed hope for improved support and progress
• A service user reflected on their long and difficult journey through inpatient care, eventually finding hope and purpose through involvement at Bentley House.

The event was not just a celebration of services — it was a celebration of people: the resilience of service users, the dedication of staff, and the strength of partnership across Harrow.

“This event really showed the heart of our services,” said one attendee. “It’s about people — listening, supporting, and believing in what’s possible. Today was a celebration of that.”