We are delighted to confirm the ongoing success of our partnership across five boroughs of North London: Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey, and Islington.
This collaboration brings together two previously separate NHS mental health trusts—Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust and Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust—now united under the North London Mental Health Partnership (NLFT).
Thanks to the visionary leadership of CEO Jinjer Kandola, NLFT is working toward becoming one of the UK’s leading NHS mental health providers, offering consistent, high-quality care across North London.
Five years ago, I approached the NHS trust in South London, where my son Zac had experienced serious mental health challenges. After several promising conversations, I was referred to Jinjer—who completely understood and supported the vision behind what we were trying to achieve.
When Zac struggled with his mental health, he lost sight of who he was. He lost confidence, motivation, and a sense of purpose. Out of that journey, Zac created Hope-FX—say the words quickly, and you hear: hope effects (the way we feel).
Hope-FX immerses individuals in creative projects linked to the fashion industry, offering a unique and inspiring lens on potential careers. But more importantly, it provides light-touch, person-centered support, tailored to each participant’s pace and needs.
Built around fashion—a passion shared by many young people—Hope-FX is a six-month programme designed for those in early intervention or transitioning from primary to secondary care. It combines creative therapy, mental health support, and real-world exposure to the fashion sector.
If you’re unfamiliar with how mental health conditions like bipolar disorder can affect young people’s identity and motivation, this guide by Talkspace explores the various biological and environmental factors that contribute to these challenges.
This programme works.
The team at FEL has completed certified mental health training. We have a qualified counsellor, a Level 5 practitioner in Organisational Wellbeing, and—most importantly—we deeply care. We work in close collaboration with clinicians at the NHS trust to deliver a unique, fun, industry-led experience that makes a real difference.
As Zac’s mother, what do I want for him? I want him to be independent, empowered to make his own choices, and to live a fulfilling, self-directed life.
That’s exactly what Hope-FX aims to provide: a bridge from mental health recovery into confidence, purpose, and employment readiness.
We are incredibly grateful to NLFT for believing in this vision and for supporting the launch of a second Hope-FX programme. We look forward to welcoming our next group of participants and continuing to transform lives through creativity and care.