Tree of Life and Theory of Change for Young Black Men

Coffee Afrik CIC

Where

When

The activity runs from 9 May 2022 to 13 April 2023. The Young Harrow Foundation does not manage bookings for this activity and is not responsible for the delivery of the project. If you have any questions, please contact the organisation directly.

What

This project is to supporting approximately 30 young black men who are CNWL residents to co-produce and receive culturally competent peer to peer support, using Tree of Life and Theory of Change methodologies to address trauma and create new resilience pathways to transform their lives.

This approach enables people to speak about their lives in ways that make them stronger. It involves people drawing their own ‘tree of life’ in which they get to speak of their ‘roots’ (where they come from), their skills and knowledges, their hopes and dreams, as well as the special people in their lives. The participants then join their trees into a ‘forest of life’ and, in groups, discuss some of the ‘storms’ that affect their lives and ways that they respond to these storms, protect themselves, and each other.

The Tree of Life enables people to speak about their lives in ways that are not retraumatising, but instead strengthens their relationships with their own history, their culture, and significant people in their lives. The Tree of Life has been used with children, young people and adults in many different contexts, including groups of refugees and immigrants; people whose community has suffered from a natural disaster (floods); groups of young people who have been expelled from school; women who have been subject to domestic violence, neglect, physical abuse, and emotional abuse within their families; adults who are experiencing mental health struggles, and in many other contexts.

The weekly sessions will use a trauma informed approach, personalised care plans and we will also offer hot food & identify the most vulnerable so that we can support residents in a meaningful way. If we are successful, we want to focus on mental health, physical health, and healthy diet. Our clients will be led by a Therapist who will organize group sessions discussing various topics regarding mental health and wellness. We will apply a People Participation pathway and make positive use of their expert by experience and with hot food provided, ensuring that those with mental health do not relapse and thus avoid acute care or sectioning, which sadly, our clients are very familiar.