Working Together with Hillingdon Mind

At Hillingdon Vision, we know that mental health matters just as much as physical health. That’s why we’re proud to support Hillingdon Mind, a charity dedicated to improving the lives of people in our borough who are experiencing mental health challenges.

Hillingdon Mind provides a wide range of services, from counselling and support groups to wellbeing activities and community outreach. Their work helps people feel heard, supported, and less alone – something that’s needed now more than ever.

How we’ve been involved:

Our partnership with Hillingdon Mind has been about making their vital work more visible and giving them the tools to reach even more people. That’s included:

• Media and publicity support – helping to share their message across the community and highlight the services they offer.

• Photography and design – creating promotional materials and professional images that capture the spirit of their events and campaigns.

• Workshops – running sessions with their members to explore how media and creative tools can be used to tell stories, build confidence, and encourage self-expression.

• Talks for service users – sharing our experiences of community journalism and media in a way that is accessible, supportive, and designed to inspire people to get involved.

  
  

Special upcoming project

We are also thrilled to be planning a very special project with Hillingdon Mind: a 10-week series of workshops culminating in a major exhibition showcasing the creativity and talent of service users. This project will give participants an extended opportunity to explore media, photography, and storytelling, and it will celebrate their achievements with a public exhibition.

Why this matters

Mental health can feel like a hidden struggle, and organisations like Hillingdon Mind play a crucial role in breaking down stigma and making sure people get the support they need. By sharing our skills and creating opportunities for their service users to engage directly with media, we aim to boost confidence and show that storytelling belongs to everyone.

As our team put it:

“Hillingdon Mind do extraordinary work in creating safe spaces for people who might otherwise feel isolated or overwhelmed. We’ve loved being able to step in and share our knowledge through workshops and talks – seeing service users light up with ideas and confidence is incredibly rewarding. It reminds us that media isn’t just about headlines; it’s about giving people a voice.”

And personally, James Carson Managing Director of Hillingdon Vision shared:

“Having experienced mental health challenges myself, I know how isolating it can feel. Being able to support others, to help them express themselves and realise their potential, is deeply meaningful. I want everyone to know that their stories matter and that there are ways to find connection and strength.”

Looking ahead

We’re excited to continue this partnership and to find even more ways of working together. Whether it’s helping them raise awareness of new services, running more creative workshops, or seeing the impact of our 10-week project and exhibition, we’re committed to standing alongside Hillingdon Mind as they carry out their essential work.

Together, we’re helping to shine a light on mental health, break down barriers, and strengthen the sense of community care in Hillingdon.