Following on from Young People Thrive’s (YPT) first-ever newsletter bulletin, we are excited to give a proper introduction to the dedicated team, and share more about their roles and passions!
At Young People Thrive (YPT), the team is passionate about supporting young people’s mental health and wellbeing. They bring a diverse range of expertise to ensure that comprehensive support is provided across various programs and initiatives.
Read on to get to know the team members and their areas of focus…

Zoe Kattah – Head of Young People Thrive
Zoe leads the YPT efforts in supporting young people aged 17-25 who fall between the gaps of children and adult mental health services.
Her work includes:
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Delivering low-intensity talking therapies for young people.
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Building mental resilience for Year 6 pupils preparing for secondary school.
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Raising awareness about eating disorders and mental health.
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Training BAME community organisations to support emotional resilience and wellbeing.
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Developing new opportunities and partnerships.
Currently, Zoe is involved in launching the “Bump, Baby, and You” programme in Brent and Harrow, aimed at helping birthing individuals seek early perinatal mental health support. Additionally, she collaborates with Buckingham New University on “Being Me @BNU,” an eating disorder program designed to upskill wellbeing staff and student tutors in recognising and supporting students at risk.
Naziya Shiekh – Engagement Coordinator
Naziya is dedicated to addressing how societal pressures may impact young people’s mental health and wellbeing; most notably when it comes to eating habits.
Her key initiatives include:
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Creating webinars through the “Food and Me” program to discuss the impact of social media trends on eating habits and wellbeing.
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Collaborating with eating disorders specialist Orri to facilitate community conversations about food, body image, and mental health.
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Coordinating the “Be Brave Be Bold” mentoring and transition scheme for Year 6 and Year 7 students, helping them adjust to changes and build mental resilience.


Polly Maloy – Senior Admin Officer
Polly ensures the smooth running of YPT’s projects through her administrative expertise.
Her daily tasks include:
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Managing emails and creating to-do lists for organisational efficiency.
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Collaborating with team members to complete administrative tasks, including the newsletter!
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Attending events across North London to raise awareness about disordered eating and the importance of early help.
Polly’s role is varied and dynamic, contributing to the success of YPT’s projects and outreach efforts.
Tara Vaughan – Young Adults IAPT Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner
Tara provides crucial support to young people facing mental health challenges.
Her responsibilities include:
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Conducting therapy sessions and helping young people navigate mental health issues.
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Attending engagement and network events for YPT projects.
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Co-supporting the “Be Brave Be Bold” project alongside Polly, aiding students in their transition from primary to secondary school.


Tania Upadhyay – Young Adult Specialist Practitioner (VCS Worker) for 18-25 Barnet Transition Team
Tania works with the transitions team to improve young patients’ mental health and wellbeing. Her role involves:
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Conducting initial assessments and signposting to community resources.
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Holding one-on-one meetings with young adults to set goals and develop coping strategies.
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Promoting independence, monitoring mental health progress, and creating safe spaces for young adults to express themselves.
Shymaal Mehta – Young Adults Specialist Practitioner for Young People Thrive and the NHS 18-25 Barnet Transitions Team
Shymaal is dedicated to helping young adults transition smoothly into adulthood.
His work focuses on:
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Empowering young people to take control of their mental health and communicate their concerns.
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Assessing progress through mood scales and other factors such as medication, sleep, and diet.
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Developing coping mechanisms for individuals with low mood, anxiety, and depression.
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Providing therapy interventions and connecting patients to relevant services based on their needs.


Laura Spencer – Operations Lead
Laura brings her expertise from her previous role at YPT’s linked community development organisation, CB Plus.
Her responsibilities include:
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Ensuring YPT’s targets are met and solving any problems that arise.
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Empowering young people with skills for independence and confidence.
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Supporting the team to maximise their impact and effectiveness.
Patrice Adjovu – Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner
Patrice specialises in providing one-to-one therapeutic interventions based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) principles.
Her work includes:
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Helping young people experiencing anxiety and low mood regain mental well-being.
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Drawing on her over 5 years of experience to support young people through their mental health challenges.
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Ensuring young people feel less isolated by acknowledging that many share similar experiences.

The YPT team are committed to making a positive impact on the mental health and wellbeing of young people. The team’s dedication and diverse expertise allow them to support and empower young individuals, helping them thrive and reach their full potential.
To find out more about Young People Thrive’s important work or start a referral to their services, you can visit their webpage here. Be sure to follow along with what they’re up to by following them on social media, and signing up for their newsletter.
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