A FIRST birthday party marked a memorable year for The Circle, a children’s and young people’s crisis prevention café.

Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing and Hounslow Mind worked with West London NHS to open its doors in January 2023.

“I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved in such a short space of time here,” said Nana Owusu, HFEH’s director of youth services and clinical lead.

“We are a vital part of wrap-around care and together we will continue to de-stigmatise mental health and help children and young people access the help they so desperately need.”

The round table birthday event in South Ealing was an opportunity to reflect on lessons learned and to cast an eye on the future.

It was chaired by Nana Owusu and actor Will Poulter, Circle ambassador, guiding discussion and reflections with young people, parents, and others

Rupa Huq, Ealing Central and Acton MP, who was among the guests, said: "It was inspiring and moving to hear service users and their parents talk about the transformative impact The Circle has had on their mental health.

 "The success of The Circle underlines just how important it is that open-access mental health hubs are made available to children and young people across the UK.”