Looking Back at 2025!

2025 has been a year filled with connection, learning and community spirit at CB Plus. Across London, communities came together to share stories, support one another and shape services that feel more inclusive and accessible. Here are some of the moments that defined our year.

January – Helping Residents Navigate Primary Care

We began the year by introducing the Care Navigation Sheet, a simple and reassuring guide created by the Primary Care Group, which helps residents understand who they may speak to when they contact their GP practice. It highlights roles such as Social Prescribers, Health and Wellbeing Coaches and Care Coordinators, supporting people to feel more confident when accessing care.

February – Eating Disorder Awareness and Our First Hub Connections

During Eating Disorder Awareness Week, we encouraged gentle reflection on the realities of disordered eating and signposted to support through programmes such as the Being Me project with Buckinghamshire New University.

We also held our first Hub Connections of the year at the Meritage Centre, where residents, partners and professionals explored how local health and care services can become easier to navigate.

Alongside this, we supported the Barnet Windrush Stories Exhibition and helped raise awareness of cancer screening through Healthwatch Newham.

March – International Women’s Day and Our Online AGM

In March, we celebrated International Women’s Day by sharing reflections from women across CB Plus in response to this year’s theme, Accelerate Action. Their thoughts highlighted the importance of challenging stereotypes, championing flexible working and creating workplaces where women and girls can thrive.

We also hosted our Online AGM, where we looked back on a year of impact and announced a major seven year City Bridge Foundation grant that will strengthen suicide prevention work across London.

April – Launching Food and Me Hillingdon and Listening to Families

April marked the launch of Food and Me Hillingdon, a new Young People Thrive project supporting early conversations about identity, routine, emotional wellbeing and the signs of disordered eating.

We also hosted our April MNVP event, creating space for women and birthing people to share their experiences of maternity and neonatal care.

May – Saying Thank You to Enfield Connections

In May, we said goodbye to Enfield Connections, which came to an end after six years of supporting more than ten thousand residents to access advice, information and local services. As the service closed, we ensured a smooth transition and guided residents toward new support through Citizens Advice Enfield. We remain deeply grateful to everyone involved in Enfield Connections throughout its journey.

June – Celebrating Windrush and Appreciating Our Volunteers

Windrush Day brought the community together at Hendon Library for a joyful event filled with storytelling, creative workshops, video exhibition and conversations about heritage, belonging and pride.

June also included Volunteers’ Week, where we celebrated our Barnet Friends Befrienders who offered more than 500 hours of companionship and support to adults experiencing loneliness.

We also shared the news that our CEO, Julie Pal, will be stepping down after more than twelve years of dedicated leadership.

July – Exploring Wellbeing Through Volunteering

Our summer Hub Connections focused on how volunteering supports mental wellbeing, with attendees sharing thoughtful reflections inspired by the Five Ways to Wellbeing.

We also held the MNVP quarterly meeting, which continued to gather insight from women and birthing people about their maternity experiences.

August – A Month of Preparation

August gave us time to prepare for a busy autumn season, including upcoming community events, outreach activity with our Deaf communities and the next phase of our suicide prevention and safeguarding work.

September – Launching The Stay Project and Welcoming Our New CEO

On World Suicide Prevention Day, we launched The Stay Project, a seven year initiative that brings together suicide prevention partners across London to support frontline workers with training, reflective supervision and wellbeing tools.

We also announced our new CEO, Katy Lewis, who joins CB Plus with extensive experience in inclusion, employability and community development.

Our team continued engagement with Deaf residents in Newham, focusing on experiences of smoking cessation support and A&E access.

October – Celebrating Black Creativity and Reflecting on Mental Health

October was rich with community connection!

As part of Black History Month, our Unity Rise project hosted the Black Business Fair at Brent Cross Shopping Centre. The event showcased Black-led businesses from Barnet and celebrated creativity, innovation and community pride.

We also held our World Mental Health Day Hub Connections, where attendees explored how mental health support can remain accessible in times of crisis and learned about Barnet’s new Suicide Prevention Strategy.

This month also saw Healthwatch Newham move to a new provider, Local Voice. While contact details and the staff team remain the same, Local Voice will now lead the service. CB Plus has greatly valued our time running Healthwatch Newham and remains committed to supporting the community in Newham.

On top of this, we launched Money + You, our new campaign supporting Londoners to improve their financial and mental wellbeing. The project involves a five-part mini series created with Sphere Support in Newham, offering practical tips and early help for managing money stress.

Our Newham Deaf Outreach Worker, Holly, also hosted an online A&E focus group with Deaf residents, helping improve accessibility within urgent care.

November – Safeguarding Adults Week and BSL Friendly Listening Event

For Safeguarding Adults Week, we launched our updated Safeguarding Training Video, created in partnership with the Barnet Safeguarding Adults Board. The refreshed video uses clear, relatable examples and will soon be available in multiple translated versions.

We also held a BSL-friendly Listening Event for the Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership, offering Deaf parents the opportunity to share their experiences of maternity care in an accessible environment.

December – Supporting Local Entrepreneurs and Looking Ahead to the New Year

We ended the year with a practical and uplifting webinar delivered in partnership with Wenta on How To Get Your Products Into Multi Brand Retailers. Led by our Racial Justice Fund Project Manager, Monica, the session supported entrepreneurs and creatives exploring new routes into retail and new opportunities for growth.

As we prepare for the new year, we have also opened bookings for two new wellbeing initiatives. This includes the launch of Move Beyond Cancer, a programme offering gentle weekly activity sessions for people living with or affected by cancer in Barnet, and a free Zero Suicide Alliance online training session taking place in January as part of The Stay Project. Both opportunities support early help, connection and confidence, and booking is now open!