Our Time’s KidsTime Haringey Wins BBC Radio 4's All in the Mind Award!

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Our Time’s KidsTime Workshop in Haringey, North London, has won a BBC Radio 4 All in the Mind Award in the Group category!

The All in the Mind Awards, hosted by broadcaster Claudia Hammond, aims to celebrate the unsung heroes who have made a difference to the lives of people who are dealing with mental illness.

We put forward one of our amazing families, Chuks Agu and his ex wife, Shereene. They are parents to three young children and attend the KidsTime Workshop in Haringey, North London. Chuks has lived with paranoid schizophrenia since the age of nineteen. In recent years, his mental illness led to multiple hospital admissions and contributed to the breakdown of his marriage. Through the KidsTime Workshops in Haringey, the family found a place to reconnect, rebuild trust, and begin healing together.

“Having KidsTime, it’s been a really good thing. It’s given me a place where I can rebuild my relationship with my children.” Chuks shared. “Our Time focuses on the humanity of mental health…and supporting people to be around their families...For me it’s been invaluable.”

The judging panel - which included fitness coach and founder of The Body Coach Joe Wicks, mental health advocate Zeze Sohawon, and Dr. Lade Smith CBE, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists - praised the workshop’s deep and lasting impact. Dr Smith, who nominated the programme, said:

“It’s really clear that the strategies the family learned and the way in which they were supported will be strategies they’ll use for the rest of their lives. What they’re doing is brilliant, and it should be happening for everyone.”

What is a KidsTime workshop?

KidsTime Workshops are unique, creative sessions designed for families where a parent experiences mental illness. They provide a safe and welcoming space where children and parents can come together to talk, play, learn, and support one another. With a blend of drama, storytelling, theory and fun, children gain a better understanding of their parent’s mental health — and families grow stronger together.

The Haringey KidsTime Workshop, run in partnership with Haringey Shed, has become a vital part of the local community.

Jim Shepley, Executive Director at Haringey Shed, said:

“This means a lot to us. Haringey Shed is just a small organisation, one of many running KidsTime workshops around the country. The country needs more KidsTime. I hope this [award] will inspire more commissioners to fund projects like this and encourage others to get involved.”

A huge thank you

Winning this award is a proud moment for Our Time and recognition of the life-changing impact of KidsTime workshops. We’re so grateful to everyone who makes this possible - especially Jim Shepley, Tina McLean, and our amazing team in Haringey. And most of all, thank you to Chuks and Shereene for courageously sharing their story and nominating us.

Dympna Cunnane, CEO of Our Time, said:

“We’re absolutely thrilled to win the All in the Mind Award. Huge thanks to the courageous family who shared their story, and to our amazing KidsTime team in Haringey. Parental mental illness is still too often hidden in shame and stigma — leaving families unsupported. This award shines a light on both the issue and the solution. It shows that with the right help, families can stay strong, connected, and give their children the love and care they deserve. We hope this recognition encourages more families to seek support early and helps break the silence that surrounds this issue.”

You can listen to Our Time’s story and the full awards ceremony now on BBC Radio 4’s All in the Mind.

Shereene, Chuks, Jim Shepley, Tina McLean and Joe Wicks at the All in the Minds Awards ceremony