31 Oct New Project Gives Hope to Local Young Adults

As part of Fashion-Enter Ltd’s (FEL) remit with Islington Council and GLA there are certain TOMs that have to be met each month. TOMs stands for ‘Themes, Outcomes and Measures’ that guide social enterprises and relates to a framework that was set up four years ago. Working to a TOMs framework ensures that we are providing social value to local residents and the borough, as well as highlighting areas of improvement.

A new FEL project that has just started called Hope-FX, is a collaboration with North London Mental Health Partnership. This project gives ten young adults in mental health recovery a chance to produce their own unique, t-shirt designs and experience the development all the way from a sketch to the high street. 

The project gives the young people involved the chance to design, create and sell a range of T-shirts as part of a project that engages with their creativity and if they choose, sets them on course for a career in the fashion industry.

Jenny Holloway CEO of FEL said: “Hope-FX is actually an idea from my son Zac Holloway. For the past three-years Zac has been battling with poor mental health and sometimes as parents we see the issues before your own children realise. After the age of 18 doctors won’t talk to you as your children are classed as adults, but if they’re struggling with poor mental health and don’t realise what’s happening you’re then in a vortex. It’s awful – no one to turn to, no one to advise and you’re totally alone. 

“The aim of Hope-FX is that ‘Hope’ affects the way you feel. It gives positivity. We want to show people that being immersed in creativity with other like-minded people opens a world of opportunities and possibilities. 

“Working with the Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust has been excellent and as of week four the programme is going very well – surpassing expectations.” 

Dr Nina Browne, Clinical Community Psychologist for the North London Mental Health Partnership, said: “This is an incredible opportunity to work together to learn how we can build meaningful partnerships across our communities and industries. We want to create more capacity outside of our clinic settings for young people to thrive and develop in the real world.”

#MentalHealth #NHS #Fashion #Partnerships