A new era of student wellbeing support will be starting from September in Barking and Dagenham, as the Mental Health Support Team (MHST) steps into their new identity the Barking and Dagenham Wellbeing in Schools and Education Team (B&D W.I.S.E).

A co-produced change, it reflects the team’s commitment to collaboration, inclusivity, and putting young people at the very heart of their service.

Ceren Devitt, Operational Lead stated on the change: “We received feedback from our parents and from our children who use the service that the name didn’t quite fit the service. So, we started a participation group. The name came from our students in our secondary schools, and the logo has come from Rose Lane Primary School. Over the summer break, we will be updating everything in preparation for the new academic term in September. We all love the new name and logo, and we hope our future service users and parents do too!”

The winning design, created by Daisy Champness, will proudly represent the service and be used to build trust with students and ensure that they know that their voices help to influence the services they receive.

The launch took place on Tuesday 16 June at Rose Lane Primary School in Romford and marked the start of this new journey.The event was filled with energy and celebration, complete with balloons, party poppers and a feeling of achievement. Staff, pupils, and partners gathered to recognise the collaborative effort behind the rebrand and to celebrate the future ahead.

The event was led by Hana Rafeeq Kinaramakal, Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner, who shared the vision behind the new name and what it means for the children and schools the team supports. The presentation emphasised how being guided by the voices of the young people helped to ensure holistic, proactive and inclusive approaches which means healthier and happier school communities.

Hana commented: “This event marked an important milestone for young people’s mental health in Barking and Dagenham. It was not only a celebration of the collaboration between healthcare and education, but also a reflection of the positive impact that close partnership with young people and families can have in shaping the future of mental health and wellbeing in our community. Like the journey that brought us here, this event was the result of the collective effort, passion, and dedication of my wonderful colleagues. Seeing everyone leave feeling inspired, joyful, and excited for what lies ahead was, in my eyes, a huge success! I’m proud to have been part of this milestone and look forward to seeing how our service continues to build on this momentum, helping to shape a new era of mental health care for future generations.”

With the launch complete, the focus now turns to the future. The team will begin updating all materials, resources, and communications in preparation for the new school year. This includes everything from printed resources to digital platforms, ensuring consistency and clarity across all touchpoints.

As the new school year approaches, the B&D W.I.S.E team stands ready to make an even greater impact—guided by the voices of the young people it serves and inspired by a shared vision for healthier, happier school communities.