With support from The Soke Foundation, Our Time – which already runs KidsTime Workshops in 15+ boroughs – will be able to bring its programme to the residents of Kensington and Chelsea, offering a way to help young people build their strength and understanding, connect with others, and confront the problems they face as a result of their parent’s mental illness.
The Foundation, which was set up in 2020, derives its income through revenue generated by The Soke, and aims to select one community mental health programme each year as the recipient of the funds raised through the commercial arm of the brand.
Maryam Meddin, CEO of The Soke and Chair of The Soke Foundation’s Board of Trustees, comments:
“The Soke Foundation was established to expand the reach of The Soke and to support the work of local organisations that have developed effective solutions for the mental health needs of their communities.
“We are particularly delighted to be partnering with Our Time to help them deliver much-needed workshops for some of the most vulnerable families in our own home borough, supporting young people whose daily lives are deeply impacted by the mental health of their parents.”
Helena Kulikowska, Development Director, Our Time, comments:
“We’re really delighted to be launching the first ever KidsTime Workshop in Kensington and Chelsea. We have wanted to bring this essential support to families living in the borough for a long time, and The Soke Foundation has made this possible. Our workshops offer a lifeline to some of the most vulnerable and isolated families – they give them strength and hope, and support young people whose parents have a mental illness to thrive.
“What makes our group sessions unique is that we work with the whole family and not just the parent or child. Through our multi-family approach, we connect families living in the same area to create a welcoming community, tackling the isolation and stigma that is often associated with mental ill health. KidsTime is not therapy or a treatment service; instead we offer supportive, empowering environments where families can discover tools and strategies to help them cope with the challenges of daily life”.
