SQUEALS of excitement were heard across the borough as volunteers from a mental health charity were visited by royalty.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited staff and volunteers at Mind in Harrow to celebrate World Mental Health Day on Saturday, October 10 in a trip to Harrow College.

See our gallery of photos here.

Mind Chief Executive Paul Farmer first greeted the Royal guests before leading them through the grounds of Harrow College and its new Enterprise Centre where various activities were taking place.

The Duke and Duchess met with young people who have personal experience of mental health problems and discussed the challenges that the young people, who now volunteer with Mind, have faced.

They also joined students from Harrow College to take part in a Mindkit workshop, facilitated by Mind in Harrow volunteers, which educates young people about emotional health and resilience.

During the visit, Harrow College childcare students Keena Dolby and Nerie Campbell-Forde were delighted to get the opportunity to present their mental health app idea to the couple.

Keena Dolby said “The Duke and Duchess were really impressed with the app idea that we had developed and really hoped that the idea would one day become a reality”.

Work to build awareness and understanding of mental health problems is a major priority for both The Duke and Duchess.

The Duke recently took part in an anti-bullying workshop run by the Diana Awards charity, and The Duchess visited the Anna Freud Centre in London to continue her work on the mental health of children.

Mind in Harrow’s Trustee Stephanie Bradley said: "I am delighted that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have visited Mind in Harrow to celebrate World Mental Health Day.

“They expressed their interest in supporting a higher profile for young people and mental health.

“Mind in Harrow was selected for the visit because of our innovative local services led by inspiring young people.

“The Duke and Duchess really enjoyed talking with our volunteers and staff about their experiences.”

The Duke and Duchess also met young people from three of Mind in Harrow’s services Mindkit youth wellbeing project, Harrow Active Minds project and Harrow Talking Therapies service.

For these services, Mind in Harrow works in partnership with Harrow NHS, Harrow Council, Harrow College and University of Westminster to break down the stigma of mental health and promote positive mental wellbeing.

Volunteer trainer Yasmin Roble talked to the Duke when he sat in on their group session discussing mental health.

She saud: “He was so sweet. He said we were heroes, and that he wanted the voices of young people to be amplified”.

The last honour of the day went to Harrow College student Alma-Ella Bidy, who presented the Duchess with a bouquet of flowers and thanked the couple for their involvement in the event and their visit to Harrow College.

Along with celebrating World Mental Health Day, the visit was also used to launch Mind in Harrow’s annual MasterMind competition, which will see schoolchildren across the borough compete to be crowned the brainiest team in Harrow.

The competition, which is sponsored by the Harrow Times, will be held at the Harrow School on February 25.

Mind in Harrow’s Chief Executive Mark Gillham said: “MasterMind in Harrow is another example of how we are focussing on young people and raising awareness of mental health and wellbeing issues.

“Hosted by the historic Harrow School, this exciting competition takes place in February.

“Each competing school is already getting brain-ready to snatch the coveted winners’ cup.”

Competing schools include Hatch End High, North London Collegiate School, Bentley Wood High School for Girls, Harrow School, JFS and Whitmore High School.

How to get involved with the Mind in Harrow services visited by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

  • http://www.mindinharrow.org.uk/

For general enquiries T: 020 8426 0929 e: info@mindinharrow.org.uk

 

  • Mind charity shop in Harrow.

The shop is in central Harrow at 4 College Road, near the Underground station and next to the Post Office. Find out how to volunteer with the shop or how to donate clothes or other household items on the charity shop's webpage. It's easy and fun!

T: 020 3759 8303 or email harrowshop@mind.org.uk

 

  • Mindkit youth wellbeing Project

To book a free wellbeing session at your school or college in Harrow contact Rachel 020 8426 0929 ext. 315 or email r.deeds@mindinharrow.org.uk

 

  • Harrow Active Minds Project

To book a place on an activity course (eg cartooning or basketball), contact Emily Danby on 020 8515 7860 or email e.danby@mindinharrow.org.uk

 

  • Harrow Talking Therapies Service 

To book an appointment, please call the Administration Team on 020 8515 5015/6 or email harrow.iapt@nhs.net