Posted on: 30 January 2023
Last week, One Community was joined by the Mayor and Mayoress of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Cllr David and Catherine Lindsay.
With guests like the Mayor and Mayoress you’d be forgiven for thinking that this event was a formal affair. However, all formalities were dispensed, the special guests joined in the conversations and creative activities that form such an integral part to the heart of One Community.
At the event, One Community Members made rabbits to celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Rabbit, the Mayoress made a beautiful crochet piece with Billy London, and delicious pasta and strawberries & cream cake was on the menu - courtesy of Bay 20 hosts Debs and Fiona.
Gaelle Stewart led a workshop about ‘bringing ourselves and that’s enough’, where everyone wrote a creative piece.
Members of One Community will showcase their creative writing skills and how it links with ‘bringing ourselves and that’s enough’ to the Well Written presentation on April 27 at the Playground theatre.
Co-hosting the day was CNWL’s Jameson Medical Director, Gareth Jarvis; Cate Latto, One Community lead and Holly Thomas, CNWL Domestic Abuse Prevention Coordinator.
Gareth Jarvis said, “One Community is a shining example of Open Dialogue in action, it emphasises the power of social networks and how important they are to our wellbeing. At One Community, patients - both past and present- create connections by having honest dialogue about mental health, and in the process, lift each other up on their recovery journeys.”
Cate Latto said, “I am very moved by the feeling of unity, of hope and of love in this room every time we come together. At One Community we value and create the space for time - the greatest gift one human being can give to another, and create those safe non-hierarchical spaces for conversation where we can feel heard. We are in the moment, in action, in a way of being that - as one regular put it - by just being there, reminds us that everything is going to be ok.”
Joining in the activities on the day was Andrew Machin and Neil Harman, Associate Directors for Charity Development. Alongside them was, Jon Fryer from the Kensington and Chelsea Foundation, Improving Mental Health Fund.
Moved by the unity and freedom of One Community, Andrew said “In here, I can’t tell who are CNWL patients and who were facilitators – everyone is busily drawing, knitting, taking photographs or chatting over a cup of tea. Everyone is welcoming and inclusive – living advocates of one cohesive community.”
“There are carers of attendees and others came on their own as a break from caring, some came from Kensington & Chelsea while others from further afield. Such diverse backgrounds and experiences. I came away with renewed conviction that living as one community – inclusive and equal, is an achievable goal.”
After the visit the Mayor wrote to Cate to personally thank her for the invite to One Community’s Network Day.
A big One Community thank you to Abdul Farah - One Community Project Support Worker.
Every week Abdul works tirelessly to put events together for One Community, and everyone wanted to say thank you, your work does not go unnoticed!