ATMIYATA EAST LONDON
Building compassionate communities for better mental health
Atmiyata East London is a partnership between Newham Community Project, Queen Mary University of London, and the Centre for Mental Health Law and Policy (India). Funded by Barts Charity, the project is helping Newham residents support one another’s mental wellbeing through a community-driven approach.
About Atmiyata
‘Atmiyata’ means shared compassion, or empathy, closeness. Originally launched in India, the approach empowers local people to recognise signs of distress, listen with empathy, and connect others to support. The World Health Organisation has recognised it as an international example of good practice in community mental health.
In Newham, we are adapting this model to reflect the borough’s diverse communities, faiths, and lived experiences. The project will run in the Green Street Neighbourhood as a pilot, with a place-based approach. Together, we are exploring what compassion, connection, and care look like in the local context.
Our Approach
Through a series of workshops and community conversations, residents are helping to design a local network of support.
Trained Community Champions will:
Offer one-to-one listening and informal emotional support
Link people to local services and benefits when needed
Encourage open discussions about mental wellbeing
Help reduce stigma and isolation within their neighbourhoods
Why this work matters
In Newham, many people face barriers to seeking help for mental health concerns, from cultural stigma to long waiting times and financial stress. By working through trusted community members, Atmiyata East London makes help easier to reach and more culturally sensitive.
This approach:
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Strengthens local networks of care
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Reduces reliance on overstretched mental health services
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Promotes earlier support and intervention
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Builds skills and confidence among local volunteers
Tessa Roberts
(Queen Mary University of London)
Our Shared Vision
Atmiyata East London is about creating a community where everyone feels seen, supported, and connected. By combining lived experience, academic expertise, and local knowledge, we are working towards a sustainable and inclusive model of mental health care, one that begins in the community, not just in the clinic.
Jasmine Kalha
(Centre for Mental Health Law and Policy)
Project Leads
Rozina Iqbal
(Newham Community Project)
Project Partners
Funding
This project is funded by a Barts Charity research project grant (project G-002978).
Get in touch
If you would like to hear more about the project or get involved, please contact Rozina Iqbal at rozina.i@newhamcommunityproject.org