Black Thrive Lambeth exists to embed race equity into systems change. For the Children, Young People, and Families Workstream, this means we work to ensure that Black Young People in South London can thrive mentally and emotionally.
We recognise that a number of things can negatively impact Black Young People. Our goal is to rally the whole school community and empower children, staff, and parents to make mindful moves towards improving mental health and wellbeing.
The Roots to Wings Toolkit offers practical activities to enhance the mental health and wellbeing of young people and their families. Highlighting existing community resources and promoting open communication creates a supportive environment for young people, parents, and educators.
We envision a community-wide shift towards greater understanding and support for young people's mental health. This culturally responsive approach empowers communities to build resilience, strengthen relationships, and positively impact the lives of Black preteens in South London and beyond.
The Roots to Wings toolkit offers significant value by addressing a critical gap in mental health support for Black pre-teens in South London. Its key benefits include:
Provides practical tools and strategies for young people, parents, and educators to enhance emotional well-being and resilience.
Leverages existing community resources and fosters collaboration among stakeholders to create a supportive network.
Addresses the specific needs and experiences of Black young people, ensuring culturally appropriate and effective support.
Equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to navigate mental health challenges and promote open communication.
By addressing mental health early on, the toolkit can help prevent the development of more serious issues in the future.
Contributes to a broader shift towards prioritizing mental health and creating a more inclusive and supportive community for Black young people.
The Roots to Wings Toolkit is a comprehensive resource designed to support the mental health and emotional wellbeing of Black pre-teens in South London. Developed through a co-creation process involving young people, parents, and educators, it provides practical tools and strategies to foster positive mental health outcomes.
The toolkit is intended for:
- Young People: To help them understand and manage their emotions, build resilience, and connect with peers and mentors.
- Parents and Carers: To offer guidance on supporting their children's mental health and fostering open communication.
- Educators: To provide strategies for creating inclusive classroom environments and early intervention for mental health concerns.
The toolkit includes various resources and activities aimed at:
- Improving Communication: Breaking down barriers between young people, families, and educators.
- Trauma-Informed Interventions: Recognising and addressing intergenerational trauma.
- Cultural Relevance: Providing culturally appropriate support tailored to the needs of Black young people.
- Improved Mental Health Outcomes: Practical tools to enhance emotional wellbeing and resilience.
- Strengthened Community Support: Fostering collaboration among community members.
- Empowerment: Equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills to navigate mental health challenges.
- Prevention: Early intervention to prevent the development of more serious issues.
Parents and carers can use the toolkit to:
- Understand Challenges: Gain insights into the specific challenges faced by Black pre-teens.
- Promote Open Communication: Use strategies for having honest conversations about mental health.
- Connect with Support Networks: Engage with other caregivers and community resources for support.
The toolkit helps educators by:
- Providing Culturally Responsive Support: Offering a deeper understanding of the unique experiences of Black students.
- Classroom Management Strategies: Creating inclusive and supportive classroom environments.
- Early Intervention: Identifying and addressing mental health concerns early on.
- Fostering Collaboration: Encouraging partnerships with parents and community organizations.
The toolkit includes activities such as:
- Mindful Moves: Workshops and exercises to support mental health.
- Expressions Workshops: Creative outlets for young people to express and process their emotions.
- Heritage Projects: Activities to explore and celebrate Black cultural heritage.
- Trauma-Informed Training: Programs for teachers to understand and support trauma-affected students.
Due to the impacts of systemic and institutional racism Black and minority communities are at higher risks of having poor mental health. Our focus on Black and mixed heritage young people is essential to address the unique mental health challenges faced by this population and to provide culturally competent support.
- Gap in resources: The specific needs of Black pre-teens in South London are often overlooked.
- Impact of trauma: Intergenerational trauma and systemic injustices disproportionately affect Black communities.
- Racial discrimination: Racism and discrimination pose significant mental health challenges for Black young people.
- Cultural relevance: Tailoring support to specific cultural backgrounds enhances its effectiveness.
- Empowerment: The toolkit aims to build resilience and foster a strong sense of identity in Black young people.
Though we have specifically made this toolkit for Black and mixed heritage young people, lessons from this toolkit can be adopted and applied to everyone to improve their mental health.
Please fill link below to join the Black Thrive groupchat to get regular tips, recommendation and activities to support the wellbeing of families in Lambeth and Southwark.