Somali Hayaan project
Hayaan provides a welcoming space for Harrow and Brent’s Somali community to connect and focus on mental wellbeing. By addressing health inequalities and encouraging individuals and families to share their experiences, we are working together to reduce stigma and ensure everyone can access the support they deserve.
We provide one to one support for families in crisis and monthly mental health and wellbeing workshops.
Brent – We are now based in Brent on Mondays at Chalkhill Community Centre between 11.30 – 2.30pm. Please contact z.deria@mindinharrow.org.uk for more details or to make an appointment.
Our Hayan project is the only specific mental health Somalia project in Somalia, and we are committed to supporting the Somali community in Harrow and the surrounding areas. People from the Somali community experience disproportionate mental ill-health, stigma and exclusion. We aim to break down these barriers.
The term ‘Hayaan’ in Somali is a nomadic term that means ‘Moving on to a better place’. Our Somalia Coordinator will work with the community by recruiting and training a team of ‘peer volunteers’ from the local Somali communities to help increase awareness of and access to mental health support to the wider Somali community living in Harrow.
The Hayaan Project aims to
- Help reduce the sense of isolation experienced by Somalis with mental health difficulties
- Help increase the well-being and self-confidence of Somali mental health service users
- Provide advocacy and interpreting support to Somali mental health service users to help them understand and access mental health and other social welfare services
Who is it for?
The project is open to members of the Somali community living in Harrow. You must be 18 years and over and affected by mental health issues or supporting someone (Carer) who is affected by mental health issues.
What’s on offer?
If you or someone you know is affected by emotional distress/mental health issues and you/ they are experiencing problems in accessing services, or you/they don’t know what sort of help they can access, you should contact us to attend our workshops, or if you or your family needs more support, we can offer one-to-one casework.
Our project will provide :
- Monthly mental health and wellbeing workshops – for all to attend. These will usually be held at Harrow and Wealdstone Library, but more information can be found on our events calendar, followed by outreach events to meet the community
- Casework – a dedicated Somali coordinator will have a caseload to help families in a mental health crisis
- Annual EDI Competency training for professionals to better understand and meet the needs of the Somali community. Details of the course will be promoted on our website, social and our network nearer the time of the training.
Workshop Dates
August 20th, 2026 – 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
September 17th, 2026 – 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
October 15th, 2026 – 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
November 19th, 2026 – 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
December 17th, 2026 – 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Mind in Harrow at info@mindinharrow.org.uk or call 020 8426 0929
Hayaan Outreach
Hayaan Community Outreach Session in Brent
Where: Chalkhill Community Centre, 113 Chalkhill Road, Wembley Park, HA9 9FX
When: Every Monday 12 noon to 2 pm
Who for: members of the Somali Community aged 18+ in North West London
What it is about: Hayaan project offers culturally tailored support for members of the community, their carers or family members who are affected by Mental Health. Through culturally specific casework and 121 support to break down language and stigma barriers
Hayaan Community Outreach Session in Harrow
Where: Roxeth Library, Northolt Road, Harrow, HA2 8EQ
When: Every first Thursday of the month – 10:30 am to 1:30 pm
Who for: members of the Somali Community aged 18+ in North West London
What it is about: The Hayaan project offers culturally tailored support for members of the community, their carers or family members who are affected by Mental Health. Through culturally specific casework and 121 support to break down language and stigma barriers