This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to work with The Brandon Centre, a mental health charity based in Kentish Town in London, and teach first aid to local youth clubs in Camden and other deprived areas of the city. These experiences helped me engage with the broader social challenges, meet new people, and gain a wider insight into the mental health crisis.

The Brandon Centre has long been dedicated to supporting young people through mental health services, particularly in underserved areas. They also provided a free sexual health clinic up until a couple of years ago, and now provide support groups for parents, free counselling for young people, and much more. For many young people, mental health support is not easily accessible due to stigma, lack of resources, or fear of judgment. By working with the centre, I saw firsthand how critical mental health advocacy is, and how essential it is to provide safe, welcoming environments for people to seek help.

During my time with the Centre, I helped with creating posters aimed at raising awareness about mental health issues, and highlighting useful resources for young people. I was also given the opportuinity to attend many meetings with the directors, and management of the Brandon Centre, which gave me an incredible insight into how a charity works, the financial side of it, and the amount of man-power required to make even a small charity work!

Parallel to working with The Brandon Centre, I took on another aspect of the project: teaching first aid to local youth clubs in Camden and other deprived areas of London. Camden, like many parts of the city, faces social and economic challenges that put many young people at risk of harm, whether due to violence, substance abuse, or simply a lack of support. Teaching basic first aid to these communities felt like a useful way to give back.

In my first three years of doing medicine in Trinity, I was involved in the charity 'Street Doctors' which teaches first aid to young people in deprived areas, so I had some experience.

Through my first aid sessions, I taught CPR and bleeding management along with aiming to instill confidence in these young people to act in emergencies. For many of them, even the idea that they could save a life seemed far-fetched, but by the end of the workshops, their attitude had shifted. Seeing their interest grow when they realized they could help in a crisis was one of the most rewarding parts of this experience. It was a reminder that leadership often means giving others the tools they need to lead in their own lives.

The Laidlaw Scholars Programme provided a framework for this project, and highlighting the importance in providing impactful change in communities. Working with The Brandon Centre and the youth clubs taught me the importance of adaptability, cultural sensitivity, and collaboration. 

As a medical student, I’ve always been focused on patient care, but this project taught me that being an effective leader in healthcare means understanding the societal factors that influence well-being. Health is not just a clinical issue, it’s also deeply tied to education, social support, and empowerment. The Laidlaw Programme encouraged me to step outside the traditional healthcare settings and address those factors head-on.

Looking back on these six weeks, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of this project. I learned that leadership is about enabling others, and each interaction I had with a young person helped me grow as both a leader and a future healthcare professional.

As I move forward in my medical career, I’ll carry with me the lessons from this project. The skills I’ve gained from the Laidlaw Programme and my work with The Brandon Centre have inspired me to create meaningful, long-lasting change, and I’m excited to continue building on this foundation in the future.