Tottenham Literature Festival
In a recent blog (28/10/2019), I spoke about the importance of community spirit in helping people to feel that they belong. In this day and age, a lot of people feel isolated in their local neighbourhood and this is partly to do with the amount of violence on the streets. Many people stay at home and are unaware of activities that occur in the local town in which they live. This, in turn, has a massive effect on anxiety and depression levels in the UK. And, in places where there is a lot of violence, in Enfield or in Tottenham for example, the problem is worse. However, there are events in the local area in which people can meet other like-minded individuals; and, by connecting with other people, we feel our place within society, and this, if done in the right way, can help us to feel more confident generally.
From Friday 1st of November to Saturday 9th of November, the Bernie Grant Arts Centre will be holding a new, innovative festival focussing on the power of words. The festival will include readings, talks, debates, discussions, the showing of films and educational workshops and will highlight the work of contemporary black writers in the local area. This is the Tottenham Literature Festival, a event designed for a diverse community. People from all over the local area—from Enfield, Tottenham, Edmonton, Hackney, Southgate—will be coming to support these writers. It is an exciting programme which will demonstrate the power of words through prose, poetry, memoirs and the spoken word. Dr David Kraft, a psychotherapist in the local area, said that the event, ‘Would captivate and enlighten the souls of all attendees with the power and wonderment of words’. The Artistic Director of the Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Hannah Azieb Pool, pointed out that this new event was designed to celebrate a rich history of black literature across the ages. She also said that this festival, the first of its kind in the local area, would ‘transform lives’ for the better. There will be literature for all ages, including some poetry readings, discussions on black hair and poetry on mandem culture. There will also be a range of recitals which will focus on black activism, gender, gentrification and sexuality. Confirmed speakers for the festival include Emma Dabiri, Victoria Adukwei-Bulley and Mary Otumahana.
Where is Tottenham? On the A10, Tottenham is past Enfield and Edmonton.
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Enfield Psychotherapy Link:
https://www.londonhypnotherapyuk.com/glossary-enfield-psychotherapy/
Enfield Counselling Local Link:
https://www.londonhypnotherapyuk.com/glossary-enfield-counselling-and-hypnotherapy-local/
Extra Funding for Social Care in Enfield Reduces Collective Anxiety
October 2019
In the most recent edition of Enfield and Haringey Independent, Simon Allin stated that an extra £1 million has been invested in children’s services, and this has had a remarkable impact on morale. In September last year, Ofsted inspectors noted that some staff within the Enfield area were dealing with 31 to 36 cases, and this figure was near to double the amount recommended by the pan-London agreement. Not only did this affect waiting times but it had a deleterious effect on parents’ and children’s psychological well-being, not to mention the effect on the staff working in social care. In November last year, an additional £1 million was utilised in order to help reduce workers’ workloads and to make the system more efficient. Tony Theodoulou, the council’s executive director of the people, said that this had had, ‘a remarkable effect on people’s morale’. He also added that, as the staff’s workload had decreased they were able to do high-quality work, supporting the children and their families with the Child and Family Assessments. Children who have been referred to social services are now being assessed and monitored more efficiently and quickly; however, there are still many adults who are unable to get the psychological intervention that they so desperately need, and some of these individuals are the parents of children with special educational and psychological needs. In some cases, these individuals go to a private psychotherapist of counsellor to seek extra support.
#EnfieldPsychotherapy #enfieldcounselling #enfieldpsychologist #enfieldpsychotherapist #MINDinEnfield #mentalhealthenfield #anxietyenfield #psychologicalhelpinenfield #psychologicalsupportfornursesnorthlondon
Useful Links:
Enfield Psychotherapy
https://www.londonhypnotherapyuk.com/glossary-enfield-psychotherapy/
Enfield Counselling and Hypnotherapy Local
https://www.londonhypnotherapyuk.com/glossary-enfield-counselling-and-hypnotherapy-local/
0207 467 8564 (General Enquiries)
07946 579645 (Work Mobile)
Enfield Stabbings and the Effect of Gang Culture on Mental Health
In a recent copy of the Enfield Independent, there were two reports of murders and two stabbings in the local area. The other three articles consisted of random attacks, burglaries and the ridiculous cost of housing in Enfield and Edmonton. This edition of the Enfield Independent was by no means an exception to the rule: week in and week out, there are similar reports of violence on the streets and it seems, if anything, to be getting worse. It has been well documented that both physical violence and mental abuse cause problems for people. Those affected often develop a range of psychological problems including depression, anxiety, panic attacks, psychosomatic symptoms and sleeping disorders. But what does this news do to people in the local community? Individuals all live in a community and being part of this is an essential ingredient to well being. Now, it is evident that there are some cultures who invest a great deal of energy interacting and corresponding with members of the local community. For example, tribes in many parts of Africa hold regular ceremonies in which locals dance, sing and spend time together. In England, fewer people go out to meet each other and spend time outside the comfort of their own homes. Even pub culture has lessened over the last twenty years with fewer people meeting up with friends and the local boozer. Part of this is cultural. The English, for example, tend to go from one box to another – that is to say, they move from their flat, to the launderette, to the post office and then back home. And, as it is often so cold, they tend not to meet people outside. Presumably, this is not so prevalent in place like the Lake District where people enjoy walks in the countryside But, whether we go out in the community a lot or a little, it is where we find our place in the world. In this zone, we find are social identity. There are some people who are comfortable spending significant periods of time on their own; but, most people, crave some form of social interaction. Now, if we get regular reports of stabbings and deaths on the street, this can make people feel unsafe. This can lead to anxiety, car and bus phobias, depression and avoidance behaviour. When people stop going out their feelings associated with fear and anxiety become entrenched and this is a more difficult psychological problem to resolve. If you are feelings anxious and are not aware of the reasons, it is possible that something inside of you is fearful of being out in the local community. Understanding this mechanism can help yo alleviate this anxiety so that you can continue leading your life to the full.
David Kraft is an experienced psychotherapist in the Enfield area.
#EnfieldPsychotherapy #enfieldcounselling #enfieldpsychologist #enfieldpsychotherapist #MINDinEnfield #mentalhealthenfield #anxietyenfield #psychologicalhelpinenfield
https://www.londonhypnotherapyuk.com/glossary-enfield-psychotherapy/
David Kraft PhD
Registered UKCP Psychotherapist
Flat 70, Cosmopolitan Court
67 Main Avenue
Enfield
Middlesex
EN1 1GD
0207 467 8564 (General Enquiries)
07946 579645 (Work Mobile)