Spotlight on Mental Health: Streetz Ahead at the Haringey VCS Forum

Spotlight on Mental Health: Streetz Ahead at the Haringey VCS Forum

On Thursday 24th April, Streetz Ahead was proud to be part of the Haringey Community Collaborative April VCS Forum – a vibrant afternoon dedicated to mental health awareness, hosted in partnership with Mind in Haringey.

The forum kicked off with a warm welcome, bringing together passionate organisations and individuals who care deeply about the wellbeing of our community. Attendees then took part in a brilliant Stress and Wellbeing Workshop led by Deborah King from Mind in Haringey, where we explored how to recognise signs of stress, practical techniques to promote wellbeing, and ways we can better support mental health both in our workplaces and in the wider community. Everyone left with fantastic takeaway resources on managing stress, mindfulness, relaxation, and more!

But one of the real highlights of the afternoon? Streetz Ahead was invited for a special spotlight session!

Our CEO Elizabeth Lahav lit up the room (quite literally!) when she spoke about Streetz Ahead’s mission to support young people through dance and mentoring. She passionately explained the powerful link between mental wellness and dance, sharing how moving our bodies releases dopamine – the “feel-good” chemical in our brains. True to form, Elizabeth had the whole room up on their feet for a quick boogie, filling the space with energy, smiles, and a tangible lift in mood!

Following Elizabeth, our very own Sophia Khalil, Events Coordinator and Social Media/Marketing Manager, bravely and honestly shared her personal journey with mental wellness. Sophia spoke about the importance of having a supportive and mindful workplace – something Streetz Ahead prioritises every day. She offered real-life techniques that our team uses to manage stress in the office, like mini-reset breaks and mindfulness check-ins. Her message was clear: understanding mental health at work isn’t just important – it’s essential. When we support each other’s wellbeing, we create happier teams, better work, and stronger communities.

The afternoon was a beautiful reminder that mental health affects us all – and that by coming together, learning from

– Sophia Khalil