The groundbreaking technology in the Pears Maudsley Centre

The groundbreaking technology in the Pears Maudsley Centre

by | Jul 24, 2024 | Blog Post, News, Pears Maudsley Centre

The groundbreaking technology in the Pears Maudsley Centre

The Pears Maudsley Centre for Children and Young People will host an array of cutting-edge technology for the research and treatment of mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders.

At the Pears Maudsley Centre, clinicians and researchers will collaborate with young people to improve the research and treatment of mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders.

At the heart of this centre will be the Clinical Research Facility (CRF), which is set to be the leading facility in the UK dedicated to the investigation and treatment of mental health in children and young people. The CRF will be a space where children of all ages, from babies upwards, can participate in research to identify the root of mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders, and use this research to implement and monitor groundbreaking interventions.

Supported by £11m of funding from the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UKRPIF) to King’s College London, the CRF will house cutting-edge technology to support pioneering mental health research with a particular focus on brain imaging. The equipment selected is aimed to be the least restrictive and intrusive, creating better experience for patients and participants. Much of this technology can be used together simultaneously to provide a more fully-formed, inclusive investigation and collaborative understanding of research.

Below is a comprehensive list of the technology which will be used at the CRF, detailing its application and how it will support research and interventions for aiding the mental health of children and young people.

Electroencephalography (EEG) Suite:

EEG is a non-invasive method that measures electrical activity in the brain through electrodes placed on the scalp. The CRF will have a specially shielded room for EEG which minimises electromagnetic interference from external sources such as electronic devices, which can distort these brain activity signals being measured.

Use in research: EEG is used to study brain activity patterns associated with various mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, ADHD, depression and anxiety, thereby helping to advance our understanding of brain function and neurological disorders.

Credit: Cerca Magnetics

Optically Primed Magnetoencephalography (OPM-MEG) Scanner

The OPM-MEG is a new way to non-invasively assess brain function. It measures magnetic fields produced by brain activity with high temporal and spatial resolution. This means it can precisely record rapid changes in brain activity (such as individual neural events or quick changes in cognition) as well as accurately identify the specific brain regions where the changes happen. Unlike conventional MEG, this system can adapt to any age group (baby to adult) and patients can move freely during scanning.

Use in research: OPM-MEG provides insights into brain activity and underlying cognitive processes, improving understanding of neural mechanisms to aid the development of targeted interventions for conditions such as epilepsy, autism, ADHD.

Credit: Magstim

Virtual Reality (VR) Suite: Virtual Reality Cave + Virtual Reality Lab

The VR CAVE is a unique virtual reality laboratory featuring an immersive audio-visual environment that simulates real-world settings. It utilizes four-sided projection onto three walls and the floor, employing specialized technology and programming to create a 3D immersive experience. This can be used to simulate an environment for children and young people to help monitor their reactions and brain activity in response to stimulus in the simulated environment.

The Virtual Reality Lab will use cutting edge VR headsets, web-based platforms and “extended reality” (augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality) which allows researchers to safely immerse participants in purpose-made scenarios, provoking similar cognitive, behavioural, and physical responses to real life within a controlled environment.

Use in research: Virtual reality, combined with motion tracking cameras, custom wearables and head-mounted eye tracking, provides an integrated platform that allows researchers to monitor, track and record brain activity and behaviour changes in conditions such as autism, depending on the simulated world around them.

Credit: Mechdyne

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)

fNIRS is a non-invasive neuroimaging technique used to measure brain activity by monitoring local changes in blood oxygenation and blood volume in the brain. These changes indicate neural activity because they reflect local changes in blood flow and oxygen metabolism that occur in response to neuronal activation and brain excitation.

Use in research: fNIRS is used to investigate brain function and connectivity in mental health disorders, and to explore potential therapeutic interventions. fNIRS is well-suited for studying brain function in natural settings as it can withstand moving around, such as during social interactions or while participants are performing motor tasks. It is relatively easy to set-up and use and good for participants such as infants, children, and individuals with movement disorders who may move about a lot and have difficulty with other imaging methods such as MRI or EEG.

fNIRS (Lumo) cap at the Toddlerlab, Birkbeck University

Brain Stimulation

The use of brain stimulation techniques aims to investigate alternatives or adjuncts to traditional treatments like medication and psychotherapy for children & young people. These include:

  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
  • Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
  • Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)
  • Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation (tRNS)

These use electrodes to create magnetic fields or low electrical currents in different forms and frequencies in order to stimulate nerve cells or modulate and impacting brain activity.

Use in research: By directly influencing brain activity, these various brain stimulation techniques aim to correct neural dysfunctions underlying various mental health conditions. Research in this area will better understand their mechanisms of the developing brain, optimise brain stimulation applications, and expand their therapeutic uses.

Eye-tracking Suite

Eye trackers are another non-invasive method to explore underlying mechanisms of the brain and mental disorders. They monitor eye movements and gaze patterns to understand visual stimuli, attention and cognitive processes.

Use in research: Eye-tracking is used to study attentional biases, social cognition deficits, and emotional processing in disorders such as autism, depression, and anxiety.

Credit: Tobii

Data Capture Suite (including 3D printer)

The Data Capture Suite will use state-of-the art computing equipment, software and e-Health to build purpose-built digital tools, apps and investigate health data (including patient records).

Use in research: The data capture room infrastructure will be able to manage, analyse, and interpret large and complex datasets, leading to a deeper understanding of mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders that will enable clinicians and researchers to work towards effective interventions and treatments. It will allow information and data to play a vital role in clinical priorities such as prevention, reducing digital harms, health monitoring and targeted interventions.

Mobile Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Functional MRI (fMRI)

The Mobile MRI is a portable brain imaging system that combines an ultra- low-field magnetic resonance with artificial intelligence. Unlike conventional MRI systems, it does not require extensive shielding and is small enough to be portable, which allows researchers to conduct brain-imaging studies in alternate settings (such as in clinical rooms or bedside), thus making them more accessible.

The high-powered functional MRI (fMRI) machine measures changes in blood flow in order to detect brain activity associated with cognitive processes, emotions, and mental health disorders.

Use in research: These imaging techniques help identify structural and functional abnormalities in mental health disorders and evaluate the effects of interventions on brain activity.

Credit: Hyperfine

Sound Research Lab

The Sound Research Lab refers to up to three specially equipped clinical consultation rooms installed with dedicated sound recording equipment and one that will be acoustically treated with sound insulation. This allows researchers to capture interviews and speech recordings to be analysed using specialist software and artificial intelligence.

Use in research: Sound research contributes to understanding auditory processing in different conditions and potentially provides indicators and biomarkers for clinicians via voice recognition.

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Professor Janet Treasure appears on BBC’s The Life Scientific

Professor Janet Treasure appears on BBC’s The Life Scientific

by | Jul 11, 2024 | News, Pears Maudsley Centre

Professor Janet Treasure appears on BBC’s The Life Scientific

One of our leading clinical academics appeared on BBC Radio 4’s prestigious ‘The Life Scientific’ to talk about her groundbreaking career researching and treating eating disorders.

Professor Janet Treasure, scientist at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) and psychiatrist at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, was interviewed by The Life Scientific host Jim Al-Khalili on Tuesday 9 July. 

Professor Treasure spoke about how she came to be one of the leading researchers looking into the causes and treatments of eating disorders and her work at the IoPPN and the Maudsley. 

Treasure’s career has been dedicated to helping understand the root causes of eating disorders, understanding them as rooted in biology and genetics instead of just treating them as psychological disorders. She is also passionate about removing stigma in treatment, and spoke to Al-Khalili about how working with students has inspired her. 

Treasure went on to discuss her groundbreaking study of twins with eating disorders, how the MEAD (Medical emergencies in eating disorders) guidelines for medical professionals are changing treatment in the UK, and her study into how ketamine may be an effective treatment for those with eating disorders.

Our experts, such as Professor Treasure, lead the world in approaches to mental health. Together, we host the largest group of mental health scientists and clinical academics in Europe – there is no other collaboration in the world with this breadth of skills and ambition. Through this unique partnership, clinicians and researchers will collaborate even more closely to find new ways to predict, prevent and treat mental health disorders. This will benefit children locally, nationally and across the globe.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds 

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A preview of the new Pears Maudsley Centre

A preview of the new Pears Maudsley Centre

by | Jun 20, 2024 | Events, News, Pears Maudsley Centre

A preview of the new Pears Maudsley Centre

The new Pears Maudsley Centre for Children and Young People opened its doors to a very special audience of supporters, young people, families, donors, academics and clinicians.

Last week, the new Pears Maudsley Centre for Children and Young People opened its doors to a very special audience of supporters, young people, families, donors, academics and clinicians.

Based at the heart of the world leading Maudsley Hospital site in south London, this pioneering new Centre will open fully in 2025, bringing together clinical and scientific expertise to transform the mental health of children and young people for generations to come.

Guests were treated to an exclusive preview of the almost-completed Centre, which was made possible thanks to the generosity of more than 60 donors and supporters raising almost £30m, in addition to £11m from Research England.

The Centre is a unique partnership between the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London, South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, and Maudsley Charity: collectively known as the King’s Maudsley Partnership. Together, these organisations host the largest group of mental health scientists and clinical academics in Europe.

More than a building

The new Pears Maudsley Centre will care for some of the UK’s most vulnerable young people experiencing conditions like anxiety, depression, OCD, self-harm, eating disorders, trauma and autism.

The Centre was co-designed with children, young people and families, ensuring it provides a beautiful and welcoming space tailored to diverse needs.

As well as providing world class inpatient and outpatient facilities, the Centre will allow researchers and clinicians to work side by side to find new ways to predict, prevent and treat mental health disorders in children and young people.

Watch this video to learn more about the Centre.

Tours of terraces, tech and teaching spaces

The exclusive preview of the Centre included a chance to see the new dedicated learning spaces of the Maudsley and Bethlem Hospital School, where young people can continue their education alongside their treatment. Guests were also introduced to a world-leading new Clinical Research Facility that will house state-of-the-art neuro-imaging equipment designed especially for children.

Guests heard from clinicians and scientists who will soon move into the new Centre, as well as from David Bradley, CEO of SLAM; Professor Shitij Kapur; and Rebecca Gray, CEO of Maudsley Charity.

“To me this is the culmination of a dream. It is a testament to ambition and persistence. It’s a celebration of generosity. It’s a marker of success. And it’s the blossoming of a promise. I want to leave you all today with a promise: We, who are the lucky recipients of your support, owe to you, and to our community: To use the opportunities of the research and collaboration here to move the frontiers of care. And to share this knowledge with the world beyond us.”
Professor Shitij Kapur

Vice Chancellor, King’s IoPPN

Some of our special guests shared their experiences on social media:

Sean Fletcher, Journalist and TV Presenter:

“The mental health services for young people at the Maudsley Hospital in South London saved my family when they treated our son who has OCD. It was one of the few lights at a very dark time for us.

And now the hospital, alongside King’s College London @KingsIoPPN @kingsmaudsley @nhs_maudsley @maudsleycharity, is shining that light much brighter. Last night I was at the preview of the new Pears Maudsley Centre for Children and Young People.

Apart from having amazing views over London, the Centre will redefine how we understand, prevent and treat mental ill health for the next generation.

The other big thing the new centre will do is train many more clinicians who can offer what the Maudsley offered my family, around the UK, and the world. Sounds a bit corny, but it’s true, and it’s crucial, because if I had a pound for every parent who contacted me saying they can’t get access to good treatment in their area, I’d be a rich man by now.” Full post here.

Crispin Truman, Director of the Rayne Foundation, who funded the Centre’s welcome space:

“So lovely to see the new children & young people’s mental health centre, its world-leading design and facilities and to hear about the amazing collaboration between clinicians and researchers it will host.”

Changing the story on children’s mental health: What’s next?

The Pears Maudsley Centre will officially open in 2025. To celebrate, we’ll bring together those who made it happen and raise a toast to the difference it will make for generations to come. In the meantime, the Centre’s virtual doors are open; our clinicians and researchers welcome interest from potential collaborators across mental health research, engagement and more.

The people who made it possible

More than 60 generous donors contributed to make the Pears Maudsley Centre a reality. Recognising this huge impact, everyone who gave more than £250 towards the Centre’s build will be recognised on a stunning donor wall in its main entrance. We extend a huge thanks to all who supported this project, including:

  • Maudsley Charity
  • Pears Foundation
  • The Rayne Foundation (Welcome Space)
  • Julia & Hans Rausing Trust (Outpatients Unit)
  • Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust (Learning Zone in The Maudsley & Bethlem School)
  • Bernard Lewis Family Charitable Trust (Lorna Lewis Outdoor Learning Zone)
  • The Wolfson Foundation (Neuroimaging Suite)
  • Garfield Weston (Intensive Treatment Programme Suite – eating disorders)
  • Kuok Group (Staff Wellbeing Terrace)
  • Dorset Foundation in memory of Harry M Weinrebe (Observation Suites)
  • Elizabeth and Daniel Peltz OBE (Peltz Community Hall)
  • Dove Self Esteem Project (Group Therapy Room in Maudsley Adolescent Unit/Inpatients)
  • Prudence Trust (Eye Tracking Suite)
  • Stephen Riady Foundation (Riady Sensory Room)
  • UKRI Research England (neuroimaging equipment and Collaboration Zone fit out) – this support was made possible thanks to philanthropic contributions doubling the amount contributed by UKRI.

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Self-harm and digital technology overuse in young people with lived mental health experience

Self-harm and digital technology overuse in young people with lived mental health experience

by | May 22, 2024 | News, Pears Maudsley Centre

Self-harm and digital technology overuse in young people with lived mental health experience

New research from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London, in partnership with YoungMinds – the UK’s leading children’s mental health charity – has found high levels of problematic mobile phone use, disturbed sleep, and self-harm among young people with mental health conditions.

The research, published in PLOS ONE, is the first prospective study of its kind, and provides the basis for a comprehensive resource that will allow researchers to investigate the mental health impact of digital technology use in young people.

365 young people aged between 13 and 25 years old who are currently or have recently accessed secondary mental health services were recruited from the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. Using innovative study design, co-produced with young people with lived experience, and sourcing data from participants’ electronic health records, smartphones and social media accounts, researchers were able to build an accurate picture of each participant’s behaviour. Participants provided data over the course of 6 months to establish how patterns of social media and smartphone use can be associated with self-harm and mental health.

More than 80% of the participants had self-harmed at least once, and high levels of depression, anxiety, and disturbed sleep were all prevalent. 54% reported using social media after midnight on a weekday, and 59% reported using their smartphones after midnight on a weekday.

“While there has been extensive debate about the relationship between social media and smartphone use and rates of self-harm, studies up to this point have largely been limited by their design, and have only been able to demonstrate associations rather than providing any insight into the relative timings of different behaviours or underlying mechanisms. Our comprehensive approach will allow us to properly investigate the impact of digital technology on youth mental health.”
Dr Rina Dutta

Reader in Suicidology and Psychiatry and the study’s senior author, King’s IoPPN

Among those studied, nearly a quarter reported using social media for more than 5 hours a day on weekdays and more than 40% used their smartphone above this threshold.

Despite spending excessive amounts of time online and about a third of participants reporting they had recently been the victim of bullying, researchers found that traditional methods of bullying, such as social exclusion, were more common than cyberbullying.

“The high prevalence of self-harm in our sample of young people with prior interactions with mental health services serve as a reminder that there needs to be increased investment in prevention and early intervention services for those at risk.”
Dr Amanda Bye

King’s Maudsley Partnership for Children and Young People Translational Research Fellow and the study’s first author, Kings Maudsley Partnership

Hannah Kinsey, Head of Training and Service Design at YoungMinds said, “We are hugely proud to be part of this research and the work that has gone into ensuring that young people’s voices are central at every stage of the study. The findings reveal that more needs to be done to stop the harmful impacts of social media on young people, especially those who have already struggled with their mental health.”

Dr Angela Hind, Chief Executive at the Medical Research Foundation, said, “Smartphones and social media are ubiquitous among young people, yet we know little about the impact on their mental health. This research reveals some important insights into how digital technology is being used by young people with lived experience of mental health conditions, and lays the foundation for future studies in this area – which are much-needed. Ultimately, we hope these findings will lead to better support for young people who are struggling with their mental health.

This study was possible thanks to funding from the Medical Research Foundation and the Medical Research Council. This work was also part supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and King’s College London, and the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) South London.

Cohort profile: The Social media, Smartphone use and Self-harm in Young People (3S-YP) study – a prospective, observational cohort study of young people in contact with mental health services (DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0299059) (Amanda Bye, Ben Carter, Daniel Leightley, Kylee Trevillion, Maria Liakata, Stella Branthonne-Foster, Samantha Cross, Zohra Zenasni, Ewan Carr, Grace Williamson, Alba Vega Viyuela, Rina Dutta) was published in PLOS ONE.

For more information, please contact Patrick O’Brien (IoPPN Media Manager)

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Celebrating International Nurses Day 2024: A Thank You to Our Nurses!

Celebrating International Nurses Day 2024: A Thank You to Our Nurses!

by | May 12, 2024 | Blog Post, News, Pears Maudsley Centre

Celebrating International Nurses Day 2024: A Thank You to Our Nurses!

As we commemorate International Nurses Day this year, we want to shine a spotlight on the incredible work of nurses in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). These nurses play a vital role in supporting the well-being and mental health of children and young people, often in challenging and complex circumstances.

In CAMHS, nurses are not only caregivers but also advocates, educators, and sources of comfort for both service users, their families and carers. They provide essential mental health care services, helping young people navigate through difficult emotions, cope with challenges, and develop resilience.

This year, we wanted to do something special to show our appreciation. We encouraged our CAMHS staff members to take a moment to say thank you to a CAMHS based nurse who has made a difference in their lives or the lives of others.

The response was overwhelming, with heartfelt messages pouring in from across the directorate. We hope these messages of gratitude not only warm the hearts of our nurses but also served as a reminder of the impact they have on the lives of patients, families, and colleagues alike. Happy International Nurses Day to all our incredible nurses. Here’s to celebrating you today and every day.

Read all the messages below: 

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Mike Brodie – Lambeth CAMHS

“I want to shout out Mike, our amazing Children’s Nurse who has a long history working in Lambeth CAMHS. Mike has worked within many teams in Lambeth CAMHS over the years and is currently the Clinical Service Lead for our Lighthouse (front door) team.

Mike is always on hand to offer time, guidance, help and support to our young people parents and carers as well as his colleagues. His hard work and dedication has assisted Lambeth with consistently reaching the contact within 28 days target. His is a compassionate and caring nurse. Lambeth CAMHS wouldn’t be the same without him. Thanks Mike Happy International Nurses Day!

Charlotte Chesson – Bethlem Adolescent Unit (BAU)

“I would like to nominate Charlotte Chesson because she is kind, caring, always so calm and chilled, very popular with the young people. Not long after I started my role I remember walking past a young person’s bedroom, Charlotte was in there with her stroking her hand whilst she was sleeping. It was evident how much Charlotte cared and that memory has stayed with me.”

– Ward Social Worker

“Charlotte defo needs celebrating!!! Charlotte is always bringing a calm and empathic approach to the ward, incredibly organised and great at delegating and ensuring the team gets things done, despite being busy is very present with the young people and it’s clear to see she has built good rapport with many of the young people.”

– Ward Trainee Youth Intensive Psychological Practitioner

Paul Hunt

“Very dedicated to his role across all his years at CAMHS. Always keeps his calm even in crisis situations with our young people.”

– Ward Assistant Psychologist

Natalie Gagg – Bethlem Adolescent Unit (BAU)

“Natalie has the perfect balance of being firm but fair, very funny, certainly has a connection / very popular with the young people who she knows really well.  She’s very committed, always happy and upbeat and brings a positive vibe/her whole self when she is on shift on the ward.”

– Ward Social Worker

“Such a wonderful nurse! So caring, kind, hardworking and all knowing! Her ability to juggle everything that is going on and hold everyone in mind is amazing. Hearing her laugh brightens up my day.”

– Ward Trainee Youth Intensive Psychological Practitioner

“I think Natalie has to be the most passionate Nurse on BAU. She has huge amounts of empathy towards the young people that they respond well to and has a strong work ethic that demands everyone to work at their best which is what you want and need in an inpatient environment. She is incredibly bubbly, and this rubs off on other people around her. We need more Natalies!”

– Ward Trainee Youth Intensive Psychological Practitioner

Gillene Thomas

“Calm and controlled, champions our international nurses wherever possible and is supportive to colleagues.”

Amanda Broughton

“You are a confident, experienced and a skilled leader who inspires our newer nurses everyday – thank you for your dry sense of humour too!”

Jide Akintomide

“Jide is Jide and I am thankful for his containment, support and trust throughout the years.“

Nina Hammond – Snowsfields Adolescent Unit & Southwark CAMHS

“Skilled and knowledgeable beyond her years.  Will say ‘yes’ to anyone asking for some help and has an anecdote for every scenario.”

“Thank you Nina. Your commitment to our young people and staff is amazing. You bring your lovely personality and passion to everything you do, making a positive impact on those around you. Your dedication does not go unnoticed, and I am grateful for all that you do.”

Amy-Rose Olah

“She always makes space even though she is always very busy, juggling several issues. She is quick to think and gives thoughtful answers when there may be issues that come up. She is supportive of the young people and the therapies. She knows her ward so well. She is kind, gentle and firm at the same time which again I can see that these are qualities that young people respond so well too.”

– Ward Art Psychotherapist

David Condon – CAMHS Community Matron

“Kind, experienced, proactive, thoughtful and helpful – what more do you want from a senior nurse?”

Jacob Rolling

“Making his mark already in the team, passionate, creative and bakes!”

Latoya Morgan – Lewisham CAMHS

“Shout out also to Latoya for all that she does, under the radar a lot of the time, for NDT!”

Lee Wadsworth

“Our in house Reducing Restrictive Practice expert, thank you for championing youth and parent involvement in this sensitive work.”

Holly Dawson

“I would like to give a shout-out to Holly Dawson from Symbol Team:

Holly’s dedication to supporting young people and their carers is evident every day as she consistently goes above and beyond to ensure their well-being. She concerns herself not only with the individuals directly under her care but also with other clients and, notably, our team. She consistently strives to improve teamwork and thinks of ways to support everyone surrounding her. 

Working alongside Holly is a pleasure, as her passion for her work and dedication characterise her. We are truly grateful for the impact she makes within the team. Thank you, Holly, for your invaluable contributions.”

Femi Lawal

“Thank you for being so diligent in your care for young people and an example to all.”

– Ward Assistant Psychologist

Janet Millanaise-Taylor

“Janet has such a lovely calming way about her, I think that she demonstrates compassionate care in both her interactions with the young people and also how she speaks about them in handover to MDT.”

– Ward Occupational Therapy Apprentice

Joely Horner

“Flourished in her new role as RMN and always advocates for the young people. Her baked cookies are also 10/10!.”

– Ward Assistant Psychologist

Olivia Akenzua

“I wanted to nominate Olivia, she is so quick off the mark with every aspect of her work. Very organised and so brilliant with each of the young people. She knows everything about all of them and her hard work is clear.”

– Ward Trainee Youth Intensive Psychological Practitioner

Kerry Gribble – Croydon CAMHS

“A big shout out to Kerry , who is so passionate about being physical health lead in Croydon CAMHS and always has a smile on her face – we appreciate you Kerry!!”

Letisha Spencer

“Letisha is new, but she has hit the ground running, feels like she has been part of the team for ages. She is warm and uses her sense of humour to connect with the young people. She has taken initiative and empowered the young people to take some responsibility whilst they are on the ward in the form of corridor reps. Generally she works very hard and deserves a shout out”

– Ward Trainee Youth Intensive Psychological Practitioner

Georgia Reed

“Amazing nurse who cares about staff as well as young people. Very good at boundary setting. Lights up the room with her fun presence!”

– Ward Assistant Psychologist

Nicola Jenkin – Lewisham CAMHS

“She works tirelessly, she is extremely knowledgeable and willing to spend time discussing issues and sharing that knowledge. Nicola really embodies ‘grace under fire’ as she remains consistent, warm and cheerful in spite of any pressure.”

“Nicola deserves all this love and appreciation!“

“Nicola is an extremely hard working and empathetic colleague and a professional for the service users. She is professional, supportive and friendly, a great colleague to have!”

“Nicola goes above and beyond for patients, families and her colleagues. She is always available for advice and support and I am proud to be able to nominate such a wonderful role model.”

“Nicola, who works tirelessly to help yp and families and a great colleague to work with!” 🙂

“She regularly goes above and beyond for her families.  She is selflessly committed to their welfare. Added to this she a thoughtful and supportive colleague who generously shares her thinking and knowledge.”

“I have worked with Nicola since she started within CAMHS, and she has always had a welcoming approach.  Nicola is also there when you want help and make sure her team members are okay.  Nicola works extremely hard.”

“Nicola has been amazing in her role as a nurse for Lewisham CAMHS, we could not function without her!”

“I would also like to express my gratitude to Nicola. She has been really welcoming and wonderful to work with. She takes time out of her very busy schedule to make sure other members of the team are doing okay. She’s extremely hard working  and kind. In my very limited time here it’s been a very pleasant experience to interact and work with her.”

“Nicola’s long service and dedication to Lewisham CAMHS, not only in a therapeutic capacity but with her specialist prescribing skills and even a period leading our safeguarding make her a worthy candidate for a shout out.  Along with our other wonderful nurses we really appreciate her!” 💐

“Nicola has been tirelessly supporting families with ADHD in Lewisham for years. Nicola is patient, kind and resilient when being asked to do more than she can. She is compassionate and works very hard to make sure no one is forgotten. She tries hard to be flexible to accommodate people who need prioritising due to risk. Thank you Nicola!!”

“I have a term to sum up Nicola…An absolute STAR!!! She’s very diligent, dedicated and goes above and beyond for not only our service users, but her colleagues.

 She’ll happily help anyone navigate this service. A real representative of our Trust Values…Kindness, Respect & Together

 Nicola, we salute you beyond Nurses Day, thank you!” 😊

Isabella Awilo

“Always tries to find the time to have 1:1 engagement with the young people even on a busy shift.”

– Ward Assistant Psychologist

Fran Lada

“A big shoutout to Fran, for all the amazing work, dedication, and thoughtful care she provides to the Hope Project, and the children and families she supports. We really appreciate it, thanks Fran!”

– Clinical Psychologist Southwark CAMHS

Ziza Godji

“Her experience and expertise always makes the staff and ward feel safe and managed well.”

– Ward Assistant Psychologist

Catherine Olaseinde

“Her calming presence makes staff and young people warm to her on shift.”

– Ward Assistant Psychologist

Charlotte Bates

“She is so knowledgeable about every aspect of running the ward and all the young person. She is caring and fair with her decision making and doesn’t get angry when I ask her lots of annoying questions! You can really see the hard work she puts into ever shift and how this really helps the team. Her psychology knowledge can also really add to MDT discussions and help her when implementing the DBT approach we have adopted on the ward.”

– Ward Trainee Youth Intensive Psychological Practitioner

Bethlem Adolescent Unit (BAU) Nurses

“Can I give a shout out to all the nurses at BAU, for always staying calm and always carrying on. I’m forever amazed by how they continue to find creative ways to support young people, even when there are stressful things happening on the ward.”

– Ward Family Therapist

Victor Coker

“Goes the extra mile for staff wellbeing i.e. birthday cakes!”

– Ward Assistant Psychologist

Patricia Onyike

“Rain or shine she always greets the young people, families and staff with a smile.”

– Ward Assistant Psychologist

Mary Lansana

“Despite being a new addition to the team (PICU ward), her senior presence ensures the shift runs as smooth as possible. She is a role model for all!”

– Ward Assistant Psychologist

“Mary was the first person who welcome me to SAU, 20 years ago on my first day on the ward. She has the gift in making you feel heard, listened to and make your work feel valued even when she is juggling a busy ward.

She is gentle, consistent in her approach, calm for the young people but able to put firm containing boundaries. She always has a smile even at her most stress personally or professionally. She has been a great source of warmth and support to all of us at SAU and particularly the young people and their families too. I certainly miss her loads. She makes you feel you belong!”

– Ward Art Psychotherapist

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Dr Clark features in film exploring homophobia in football with Rylan

Dr Clark features in film exploring homophobia in football with Rylan

by | Feb 21, 2024 | News, Pears Maudsley Centre

Dr Clark features in film exploring homophobia in football with Rylan

Opening in 2025, our Pears Maudsley Centre for Children and Young People will change the story on mental health and transform the lives of children and young people. Based on the South London and Maudsley site, the centre has been developed through a unique partnership between King’s College London’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Maudsley Charity and the Trust led by Consultant Psychiatrist & Clinical Director of CAMHS, Dr Bruce Clark.

a young girl holding a leaf

In the run up to the opening, Dr Clark, has featured in the documentary Rylan: Football, Homophobia and Me hosted by Rylan Clark, This Morning and Radio 2 presenter.

In the film, Rylan, who suffered abuse as a child for being gay, speaks to footballers to explore why homophobia remains such a big problem in the game.

Reflecting on his love of football, Rylan discusses how safe he feels continuing to support the game given the common use of homophobic attitudes in the game such as on the terraces.

He also talks about his mental health struggles and the severe homophobic bullying he experienced including multiple skull fractures.

Speaking to Dr Clark, Rylan said that ‘in a sick way’ he is almost glad the attack happened as it taught him to never treat anyone badly.

Dr Clark, who filmed with Rylan at the Maudsley Hospital, says:

“It was a pleasure to be part of such an important and well-received documentary that shines a light on the mental health of young people who experience marginalisation and homophobic bullying.”

Participation in this documentary, aired during LGBTQ+ History month, sits alongside other initiatives the Trust are undertaking to celebrate the rich tapestry of LGBTQ+ experiences within our community. 

Rylan: Football, Homophobia and Me is available on TNT1 via on-demand platform Discovery +, Sky, Virgin and Amazon Prime. 

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