36 | SME News Greater London Enterprise Awards 2023 Best Community Support Enterprise 2023 - East London Everyone faces challenges during the course of their lives. When you’re going through tough times, it helps to know you’ve got someone on your side. Enter True Ambassadors and its mission to support and guide all those who engage in its services. We spoke with Director, Doris Okundaye on the back of the team’s well deserved success in the awards programme, to find out more about its central mission and values. It’s not easy to keep a service afloat in this economic climate, so it acts as a strong testament to True Ambassadors’ services and expertise that it has flourished despite the significant challenges it faces. Ultimately and unfortunately, the company has been needed more than ever over the last couple of years in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, with mental ill-health exploding in the areas it serves – as it has nationwide. For Doris, this has only acted as a catalyst for the team to double down on their award-winning services, and deliver best-in-class support for East London’s communities. “Adversity is a necessary part of life and comes in many forms. However, you do not have to face this alone. In the past five years, our missions have made especially significant impacts in Newham and Tower Hamlets – two of London’s most deprived boroughs. Most recently, we have been working in alignment with the 2023 UK Government Loneliness Strategy Report to find ways for local community members to overcome loneliness and support connections between generations. True Ambassadors also entered a strategic collaboration with academics from University College London (UCL) that have been offering their expertise and support in order to organise events, workshops, and speeches to support the activities of the organisation. Engaging with educational organisations such as universities and different stakeholders has proven to be a crucial factor in achieving the goals of our organisation and to provide support to local communities.” “Caring for everyone is our passion.” While the COVID pandemic proved to be a turning point for mental health services across the country – not least because it brought new awareness to the silent mental health pandemic – the ongoing cost of living crisis continues to test services in a multitude of ways. Naturally, for True Ambassadors, this crisis is spiralling out to compound the impact of the pandemic for those that have been hit the worst by economic uncertainty, as Doris continues. “The cost of living crisis in East London has further exacerbated mental health concerns. The rising rates of depression and homelessness have had a significant impact on local communities, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and support systems to address these issues effectively. “However, one positive trend that has emerged is the increasing recognition of the benefits of intergenerational and intercultural events and activities. Among the communities we have engaged with, there is a growing appreciation for the value of bringing people of different generations and cultural backgrounds together and fostering social connections through events and other activities.” Moving forwards, True Ambassadors is setting its sights on tackling the immense issue of loneliness among the region’s population. For Doris and the greater team, the focus on such a common factor in both causing and exacerbating mental ill health will have a variety of benefits for the greater community. “Loneliness comes in a variety of forms and leads to dire consequences. Within this mission, our commitment lies in reducing isolation and empowering communities by providing a safe and inspiring foundation for our members to face adversity. We are well known locally and often collaborate with our neighbourhood library. Having consistently contributed to the local life of one of the most deprived boroughs in London, Newham, we were honoured with the Best East London Community Support awards in 2020, 2021, and 2022. “In response to the 2023 UK Government Loneliness Strategy Report, we have devised a True Ambassadors Mission for Tackling Loneliness. This new project is focused on body, soul, and mind. We are currently looking for further funding to expand the scope of this mission.” Company: True Ambassadors Email: enquiries@trueambassadors.org.uk Web Address: www.trueambassadors.org.uk/ Address: The Greenhouse Trampery Republic Export Building 2 Glove Cresent London E14 2BE Telephone: 0800 321 3273
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