Welcome back for term two! Find your next event or taster session

Jami - Mental Health For Our Community
Jami supports many hundreds of people each year impacted by mental health problems, enabling those isolated because of their mental distress to become re-engaged with their family, friends and local community.We improve mental health understanding for thousands more people through training, seminars and other educational sessions.Jami has never been more needed to deliver life-saving mental…
Read more about this organisation
Idea for research
Idea for research
Head Room is so much more than a café—it’s a community hub and social enterprise where conversations about mental health are part of the everyday, creativity is celebrated, and community connections thrive. Whether you’re joining a group, attending an event, or just stopping by for a coffee, you’ll find a welcoming space that values connection, inclusion, and support. Situated on the high street, Head Room takes mental health support out of formal institutional settings and places it in an accessible, friendly environment.
Head Room Café is part of Jami, the Jewish mental health service, which recently merged with Jewish Care—a partnership that allows us to extend our impact and support even further. Rooted in Jami’s Jewish values, it goes beyond those frameworks, embracing diversity and welcoming everyone, no matter their faith, heritage, or mental health experience.


What We Do
Head Room Café exists to foster connection, creativity, and care while opening up conversations about mental health. Our focus is on mutual support and building a sense of collective well-being.
Community Programme: We run free daily groups and activities, including art sessions, writing workshops, walking groups, community conversations, and peer support groups. These are relaxed, supportive spaces that encourage creativity and shared learning.
Community Befriending: Our volunteer befrienders provide one-on-one support, offering understanding and companionship to those who may feel isolated.

We’re particularly interested in research projects that:
Use Participatory Approaches: Research that actively involves community members, giving them a voice and a role in shaping the process and outcomes.
Involve Creative Outputs: We’re keen to see research communicated in innovative, engaging ways that make the findings meaningful and accessible to our community. This could include:
o A zine or booklet that captures stories and insights from our members.
o A short film or podcast amplifying voices and ideas.
o A social media campaign that shares research in an impactful way.
o Interactive workshops to present findings in a participatory format.

Impact of idea
Research projects at Head Room Café can significantly benefit both Jami and the café itself. For Jami, these projects can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of their mental health programs, helping them refine and expand their services to better meet community needs. Additionally, the innovative and creative ways of presenting research findings can raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health, aligning with Jami's mission to support and empower individuals.

For Head Room Café, engaging in research can enhance community engagement by involving members in the research process, fostering a sense of ownership and empowerment. It can also lead to the development of new initiatives and activities that promote mental health and well-being, making the café an even more vital community hub. Furthermore, collaborating with UCL students can open doors to new partnerships and resources, strengthening the café's impact and reach.

What new data or information would you like to be collected in this project?

Data generated through this idea

Application process
Application criteria
Open to all.
Is this project fully accessible to students with the disabilities?
Yes
Disabilities information
Project can be fully accessible and catered to student needs

Tags

Departments/Faculties