Each year, World Mental Health Day reminds us that good mental health is a universal right, one that depends on awareness, compassion, and collective action. This year, we’re shining a light on two incredible local organisations, Sanctuary for Sisterhood CIC and The Hope Atrium, whose work shows how community-led initiatives can break stigma, nurture resilience, and make mental wellbeing more accessible for everyone.

The Sanctuary for Sisterhood CIC

Aurnela Madede is the Founder and CEO of Sanctuary for Sisterhood CIC, a community organisation empowering women through mental health awareness, holistic wellbeing, and creative expression.

A survivor of domestic violence, Aurnela has transformed her personal pain into purpose becoming a powerful advocate for women’s mental health and empowerment. Through Sanctuary for Sisterhood, she has created a safe, nurturing space where women can rebuild confidence, heal, and rediscover self-worth through therapy, peer support, and creative workshops such as painting, pottery, and perfume making.

A passionate champion for women of colour, Aurnela uses her platform to challenge systemic inequalities in housing, therapy, and healthcare, ensuring that marginalised women are heard and respected. Her work continues to inspire a growing community of women to rise beyond adversity with strength, joy, and self-belief.

The Hope Atrium

Lystra Charles is the Operations Director of The Hope Atrium, a community-interest company in Tooting dedicated to improving mental health among African and African-Caribbean communities. She leads the Community Wellbeing Champions initiative, training volunteers from local churches and groups to support mental wellbeing and co-founded From Surviving to Thriving (FS2T) a programme empowering people to challenge mental-health inequalities through education and community action.

Working closely with faith leaders, voluntary organisations, and health professionals, Lystra helps create trauma-informed, culturally sensitive spaces where people can share experiences and build resilience. Her leadership has been nationally recognised for reducing mental-health inequalities and strengthening trust between services and Black and minority-ethnic communities.

Lystra’s work embodies community-led change transforming lived experience into collective strength and fostering a culture of care, connection, and empowerment.

Community at the heart of Wellbeing

This World Mental Health Day, Sanctuary for Sisterhood and The Hope Atrium remind us that mental health support begins in our communities through empathy, shared experience, and collaboration. Their work demonstrates the power of grassroots action: creating safe spaces, challenging inequality, and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to heal and thrive.

Together, they embody the spirit of this year’s World Mental Health Day championing inclusion, dignity, and wellbeing for all.

Visit Sanctuary of sisterhood CIC to learn more about their services and their work or contact them on info@sanctuaryforsisterhood.co.uk

Visit The Hope Atrium to learn more about their services and work or contact Lystra on lystra@thehopeatrium.org