Children and Young People's Team

The Brent Health Matters Children and Young People’s Health Inequalities team was formed in 2024 to reduce health inequalities for babies, children and young people in Brent. This multi-disciplinary team addresses physical health and mental health and emotional wellbeing issues.

The team will focus on three key priority areas identified from reviewing local and national data related to the needs and key health inequalities for children and young people, alongside discussions with relevant partners, stakeholders and organisations working within Brent.

The team has two Link Workers who help families manage factors that influence their child' s health and wellbeing, such as poverty, physical inactivity, access to education, housing, etc. Supporting families to register with health and wellbeing services, navigate the healthcare system, take regular exercise, etc. is making a real impact on their health.

The key priorities identified were:

Asthma

Free Tier 1 training

Free Tier 1 asthma training is available for anyone who interacts with or cares for children or young people with asthma.

See a GP after A&E admission

If your child has been to A&E due to an asthma or wheeze attack it is important they see their GP within 48 hours, to prevent another attack, to check if their asthma treatment is working and to ensure they have an up-to-date asthma plan. Find out more about asthma plans.

Air quality

Air pollution impacts everybody’s health, but those with asthma are more at risk than others. Learn how to limit your exposure by discovering healthier walking and active travel routes for schools in Brent and find out more about what we are doing to improve air quality in the borough.

Damp and mould

Exposure to damp and mould can make asthma symptoms worse. Find practical advice on how to prevent it and report it.

Asthma and Lung UK

This national charity has lots of helpful information and advice on its website plus a telephone helpline 0300 222 5800) an email and a WhatsApp account - 07999 377775.

BHM Asthma Community Coaches

Are you a trusted local leader or community member who could support children and families with asthma? You could be a Brent Health Matters Asthma Community Coach, you could teach and support about the basics of asthma, show correct inhaler and spacer technique and much more. We offer free national and local training, a full coaching toolkit and free asthma packs to hand out. Email brenthealthmatters@brent.gov.uk for more information.

Immunisations

We will work with the Kilburn locality and the Somali community in Harlesden to increase awareness about the importance, risks and benefits of the MMRV vaccination and increase uptake of MMRV within these groups.

Childhood immunisation schedule

It's important that vaccines are given on time for the best protection. Check the childhood vaccination schedule to understand when your child should be receiving their vaccines. If you or your child have missed a vaccine, don’t panic. Simply contact your GP to arrange to catch up.

MMRV vaccination

MMRV vaccination appointments can be booked for all ages through your GP Practice, or you can find local walk-in vaccination services available for children aged 5-19 years. Full information about the MMRV vaccination is available on the NHS website.

Brent Health Matters catch‑up sessions are running at two Family Wellbeing Centres. The sessions are free to attend and you do not need an appointment – just walk in.

They are for children under 18 who have not had their first MMR dose, have only had one dose and need their second, or would like information about the MMR/MMRV vaccine.

The team will be available to provide vaccines and answer questions:

Mondays, 10am to 3pm at Curzon Family Wellbeing Centre, Curzon Crescent, Harlesden, NW10 9SD
Tuesdays, 10am to 3pm at Fawood Curzon Family Wellbeing Centre, 35 Fawood Avenue, Harlesden, NW10 8GP

Please bring your Red Book if you can.

Working with the Somali community

We have been working with the Somali community in Harlesden to understand their views and experiences in relation to childhood vaccinations, including Rhoda Ibrahim, Director of Somali organisation SAAFI, who kindly recorded a video in Somali about the importance of vaccinations.

Mental health

We will conduct community engagement work and analyse data to understand CYP needs, service provision and identify gaps to inform future development in this area. We will also improve coordination, awareness and promotion of mental health services available for children and young people and their families.

Emotional Wellbeing Survey

We want to hear from you, share you views via our Emotional Wellbeing Survey so we can capture your ideas, preferences and the support you wish to see for children and young people.

Chat and Chill Sessions

If you are aged 12 to 16, join a Chat and Chill Session at Curzon Family Wellbeing Centre in Harlesden.

Children and Young People mental health services

Find out further information on mental health services in Brent, including Child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). that provide community mental health services to children and young people up the age of 18, who are registered with a GP in the borough and have complex mental health difficulties.

Co-producing events in the community

An event to progress the immunisations workstream took place in Wembley just before Christmas 2024.

Image of Zaitun at Chaklhill Community Centre

At an event for the Somali Community, held at Chalkhill Community Centre, the team met Zaitun Said, 60, from Kilburn.

“I learned a lot from different organisations about how families can get help in Brent and the most important things to look after children’s health and development,” she said.

Improving the percentage of children in the community who have had their MMRV vaccinations is a key aim of the new Brent Health Matters Children’s and Young People Team. It is important to engage with communities where the rate of immunisation could be better and to explain the virtues of ensuring children are vaccinated.

The visit also allowed the team to take the opportunity to help everyone in the community think about their health needs. As Zaitun explained, “I also had a blood pressure check, and it was up and down, so now I need to see my GP for a check-up.

“Today was a great opportunity to learn about health. More knowledge is more power. I am proud to be Somali, and I am happy that the council and NHS are thinking about our community.”

The event was co-produced with Willesden-based Somali organisation SAAFI and Zaitun heard about the event through a friend who had been notified by SAAFI.

Brent Health Matters has always been rooted in the partnership with the community and producing events with local organisations to ensure it reaches those most in need of support and information.

Last updated 13/04/26