Post discharge and community support.
Canerows offers peer support to people who have recently left hospital and those needing short term support in the community.
Services
Ward Visiting
Visitors engage in activities and offer non professional and practical help and advice. Views and suggestions are gathered and fed back to staff, helping to improve aspects of in patient care.
Training
Canerows runs regular training courses in Ward Visiting. The three day Level 2 course is a requirement for the role. This and other Canerows peer support courses are accredited by the Open College Network.
Consultation and Information Sharing
Canerows organises regular consultation meetings on topics of concern to service users, offering a chance to socialise and contribute to the development of local services.
Forensic Peer Support
Canerows works in partnership with the forensic teams and service users to offer ward visiting and teaching to local secure units.
About Us
We're knowledgeable about making a difference
What is Canerows?
Canerows is a user led service working to improve the lives of people who are overcoming mental health issues, particularly people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds who are over-represented in the mental health system.
Canerows is based at Sound Minds, a multi-award winning user-led mental health arts charity in Battersea.
In 2016 Sound Minds was privileged to be commissioned by Mind to organise Peerfest, the annual national conference and celebration of peer support.
What is Mama Low's Kitchen?
Mama Lows Kitchen is a user led drop-in based at the Katherine Low Settlement SW11 3HP.
Mama’s is open every Friday throughout the year. As well as a low cost meal there is internet access and peer support, and a programme of outings and other activities.
Mama’s is open to Wandsworth residents only and is free to attend.
Contact Sound Minds, call in, or download the referral form.
Need some help?
Call if you would like someone to meet with you for
a coffee, help with shopping, or to link up with local facilities
and services.
(020) 7207 - 1786
Meet Our Team
Ward visitors support others from the perspective of people who have been through similar experiences.
Mia Morris OBE
Project Coordinator
Mia been the coordinator of the project for the past three years, and has been involved with Sound Minds for the past 9 years. She is a highly respected member of staff who has lovingly coined the term Goslings to represent all the team at Canerows and Sound Minds.
Christine Julian-Huxley
Ward Visitor
Being part of Canerows has helped me to cope and manage my own mental health over the years. It has been a positive and hopeful part of my life. It has been such an inspiration and encouragement to be with such a great team of people.
Cliff Black
Ward Visitor
It has been a very enlightening experience
working with Canerows. I had no preconceived ideas regarding the nature of the
work I would be doing, or the type of people I that would be meeting. But being
allowed to be a part of something that makes a very real difference to the
lives of so many people who have so many varying types of personal struggles is
both rewarding and profoundly disturbing at the same time.
Francis Grace
Ward Visitor
Being a part of the Ward Visiting team at Canerows has given me the opportunity to meet some of the most fantastic and interesting people, who through no fault of their own have fallen on hard times. It has given me the chance to use my own personal experiences to bring people a little break from the difficulties they are currently experiencing.
Hamdi Affra
Ward Visitor
Since I have been a ward visitor I learned a lot. My confidence has increased so much. I find it’s easier to talk to people. Being a ward visitor is good for my mental health because it gets me to go out of the house and help others that are struggling, just like I was once. Having a mental health illness means that for me I have my good days as well has my bad days. So I find by doing this project has a big impact with my mental health.
Kezia Grant
Ward Visitor
The project has helped me to be more focused. My approach to mental health has given me insight to mental health illness. It has also helped me to engage with others and work in a team.
Lenitta Bailey
Ward Visitor
I enjoy meeting the patients and sharing experiences with them. On long stay awards, I like the rapport we get with patients when they see you return. It’s like a familiar face that isn’t clinical staff someone to talk to it keeps continuity going. And the surprise and astonishment that they have knowing that I too am a service user.
Melody Grosvenor
Ward Visitor
I have been part of the Canerows Team since 2018, I really enjoy using my own personal experiences to uplift the lives of others who are going through difficult times.
Roger Brooks
Ward Visitor
My life has improved drastically since I have been a part of Canerows. The project has given me the opportunity to give back to other people with mental health problems the peer support they need.
Saffron Sydeki
Ward Visitor
Working at the Canerows project has given me confidence and my self-esteem has increased. Listening to people on the ward and hearing their stories has enabled me to share mine give people hope!
Sandy Grant
Ward Visitor
When I was asked to write a few words about being a ward visitor, I thought back to when I first started and realised just what a profound effect it has had on my life. It’s not that my life was unproductive before, but I didn’t have the same sense of purpose that I have now.
Urlene King
Ward Visitor
Being able to help other people on the ward listen to them and be there for them. My experiences and my journey with them. Being able to pass on information and give out leaflets to patients.
Terry-Sue Sinclair Ackah
Ward Visitor
It helped me in a profound way. I am
confident and healthy it’s quite interesting going onto the wards every week
without know what to expect, know that your presence can help someone to
overcome their worries or frustration. It gives me a lot more empathy towards
the patients knowing that I experience a similar illness. It is so rewarding
knowing that I can be of help others like myself.
Sam Cox
Chef
I’ve always enjoyed cooking, learning little bits and bobs from my mum growing up. I was in a band called Lights for some years, as a drummer. I then went into a decade long career in events management. I had issues with addiction, but turned it all around three years ago
What Our Client's Say
The thing I most love about Mama Lows is
the coming together of everyone- the sense of community and fellowship.
I think that Mama Lows kitchen is good for me
because Sam is a great cook and I like playing music on the laptop.
I like coming to Mama Low's every Friday because I like the people who go there and the meals are nice.
look forward to the company of others we all seem to get along grand and we have a
very good chef.
I think that Mama Lows cook a lot of good and delicious food and I enjoy eating there.
I have a great time every Friday. The company is
fantastic and it’s not far for me to come.
Teaching the street jazz dance is always a joy and rewarding seeing the students progress every week. The socializing is good as a great bunch of people we are like a little community.
Get In Touch
ADDRESS:
20-22 York Road, Battersea, LONDON, SW11 3QA.
PHONE:
(020) 7207 - 1786
canerows@soundminds.co.uk