We have recently launched a new programme for 16-25 year old Islington residents who have recently attempted suicide.
Body & Soul was set up 20 years ago to support children, teens and families living with HIV. We have pioneered a whole-person model of care that has now been extended to other groups, including teenagers who have been adopted and young people who have attempted suicide.
The whole-person model of care we have pioneered through our work with members over two decades reflects the complexity of their lives. It is designed to address not just the symptoms but the root causes responsible for many of the health and social problems they face – traumatic experiences in their past.
We are now reaching out to new groups with similarly complex lives. We have launched programmes tailored to children who have been adopted and young adults who have attempted suicide. We know from research that they are more likely to have experienced childhood adversity than the general population. Our new members may not be affected by HIV, but they share a lot with our existing members.
Body & Soul members have access to a full range of services that reflects our whole-person approach. For the new programme this includes one-to-one DBT as well as group therapeutic support through the DBT skills group, legal support and advocacy and family therapy. We also believe that connection is vital in breaking the cycle of isolation and self-harm. This means that we have a hot nutritious meal together weekly before the group sessions to encourage building community and friendship. We also use social prescription as a means of engaging members with other organisations so that they can build skills, confidence and purpose.
Additional support includes:
- Ofsted-registered Children's Centre
- In-house social worker, caseworker and advocacy Help Centre
- (For the HIV programme) Education around HIV prevention, HIV treatment and relationships
- Legal and Immigration clinics
- Group and peer support sessions for all age groups
- Professional one to one support e.g. counselling, play therapy, life coaching
- Complementary therapies
- Support for future success: CV writing, employment advice, education support for young people and children