Barnet KidsTime Workshop: London Borough of Barnet

The Barnet KidsTime Workshop offers an evidence-based intervention that is aligned with the NHS 10-year plan and strategic objectives relating to Family First for Children, Best Start for Life, and Neighbourhood Health.

The Barnet KidsTime Workshop launched in 2018 with a one-year grant from NHS CAMHS. Since then, it has received funding from the London Borough of Barnet's Public Health budget, supplemented by contributions from Barnet Mind, Young Barnet Foundation, and local donations.

Since 2024, it has operated under a Service Level Agreement with the London Borough of Barnet as part of the Early Help programme. NHS CAMHS provides the Mental Health Lead with sessional hours in kind.

Key Features:

• Multi-family, whole-family, community-based workshops for families where parents experience mental health difficulties
• Manualised and evidence-based approach
• Trauma-informed and systemic, creating a safe, nurturing environment
• Focus on prevention and early intervention
• Blend of psychoeducation, peer support, community building, and creative activities
• Held monthly after school for 2.5 hours

The workshop delivery team comes from local services and has remained stable over the years, with new volunteers joining to support the delivery. This consistency has been crucial in fostering trust and cultivating long-lasting relationships with families.

In 2023, Aymen Belkacemi, a graduate of the workshop, won the Apprenticeship of the Year – Multicultural Award. Today, he is a trustee and ambassador for Our Time Charity, ensuring that the voices of young people continue to shape everything we do. Aymen credits the support he and his family received as the foundation for his present success and his hopes for the future.

“Barnet Family Services has chosen to fund the KidsTime Workshop because it directly supports children and young people affected by parental mental illness, a priority area for the borough in promoting emotional wellbeing, early intervention, and whole-family support. The programme aligns with Barnet’s commitment to:

• Improving outcomes for children, young people and families, which is a fundamental priority for Barnet’s children and young people’s plan
• Reducing stigma around mental health by fostering open conversations between families
• Strengthening community resilience through peer support and creative engagement
• Delivering integrated, preventative services that reduce the need for crisis intervention and help support our waitlists

The workshop’s consistent and experienced volunteers and staff, strong referral pathways, and key relationship building all have an impact on improving school attendance, emotional stability, and family communication, which supports our Barnet children and young people's Mental Health & Wellbeing Strategy. Its whole-family approach ensures that support is inclusive, sustainable, and tailored to real-life challenges. We hope we can continue to build on our relationship with OurTime and enhance the programme further for as long as our funding allows us to.”

Tas Anjari, Strategic Commissioning Manager - Family Services Early Intervention & Prevention, London Borough of Barnet

Each Barnet workshop is led by three core staff:

• Mental Health Lead – A systemic family psychotherapist from CAMHS, supported by an adult mental health clinical psychologist
• Coordinator – Manages logistics, referrals, and family outreach
• Drama Worker – Leads drama-based creative sessions with children

They are supported by five dedicated volunteers with lived or professional experience of mental health. Together, they create a safe, welcoming, and nurturing space for families.

The Barnet team works closely with local services, including:

• CAMHS
• Children’s Social Care
• CAF – Children’s & Families Team
• Barnet Complex Care Team
• London Borough of Barnet (LBB)
• BPDT

Every referred family receives a home visit to discuss expectations and suitability. This early engagement helps build trust, though in some cases, families choose not to continue.

Currently, 13 families (comprising 38 people, including 22 children and 16 adults) are participating. Since April 2024, there have been 15 new referrals, with an additional six families expected to join in autumn 2025.

At the heart of KidsTime is the child—how they feel, what they learn, and how their lives change.
•Our Time’s Theory of Change and evaluation methodology track progress in children’s emotional well-being, confidence, communication, and resilience.
•Evaluation is aligned with the CORC framework and Barnet’s monitoring toolkit, ensuring both robustness and child-centred focus.
•Attendance patterns are closely monitored, with flexible scheduling, transportation support, and re-engagement plans in place to reduce drop-off rates.

Case Study: “I didn’t know how to talk to them”

When R first heard about KidsTime, she was at her lowest point. After a suicide attempt and hospital stay, she felt overwhelmed by guilt and fear. Her children, aged five and eight, had questions she couldn’t answer. Silence had become the norm at home, but it was driving them apart.

Through Barnet Mind, R learned about KidsTime and self-referred. She hoped it would give her children a language for their feelings—and help her become the open and honest parent she wanted to be.

From the first session, the children began engaging through play, drawing, and writing. Slowly, they developed a shared language to talk about their mother’s illness and their own emotions.

For R, the change was transformative. Shame gave way to connection. She realised her family was not alone. Together, they navigated a return to work, a sudden house move, and another hospital stay—without slipping into crisis.
Now, settled in a new home, they are looking for a KidsTime group in their area. Their journey continues, but they are no longer facing it in silence or isolation.
“KidsTime has given us a language and a space to talk. My children know now that it’s okay to ask, okay to feel, and okay to not have all the answers.”

Children tell us they feel less isolated, more confident, and better able to understand mental health—both their own and their parents’. They are developing empathy, forming stronger friendships, and improving their concentration at school. Many have overcome anxiety, tried new activities, and discovered resilience despite instability or stress at home.

Parents highlight the unique, whole-family model. Attending together with their children, partners, or siblings can reduce stigma, encourage honesty, and strengthen family bonds. Parents report greater confidence in talking openly about mental health, listening to their children, and drawing strength from peer support.

When parents feel supported, children benefit too—with improved stability, stronger relationships, and better school attendance. Families consistently describe KidsTime as a space that gives them confidence, hope, and tools to thrive.

KidsTime gives us a lot of support; we’ve never had that before, and it’s not just one person; it’s the fact that the whole family can come and get support—that’s what makes the difference.”

Coordinator – Bojana Jovanovic 

Families have become more resilient. Children are learning to talk about their parents’ mental health, and some who once avoided activities outside the home are now volunteering. Families have managed hospital stays, separation, and housing challenges—and they are thriving despite the setbacks.”

Mental Health Lead – Conny Kerman 

Parents use the group to reflect on how their mental health affects their children. Here, they feel less blamed and more supported. They share parenting ideas without judgment, and for many, this is the only time in the month they connect outside their immediate family. It has created a genuine sense of community.”

Drama Lead – Talya Bruck

 The children’s group is full of energy. They love drama and games and often bring their own ideas. They’re more confident in talking about mental health and sharing feedback with adults at the end of sessions.”

Barnet Kids Time Workshops deliver a transformative space for families affected by parental mental illness. With consistent staffing, strong partnerships, and ongoing support from the London Borough of Barnet, it has become a lifeline. Children are growing in confidence and emotional literacy. Parents are finding strength, solidarity, and new ways to connect with their children.