Learning and Development

We turn community insight into better systems and practice. Our role is to convene, co-produce, and share what works so that services become fairer and more culturally competent.

We lead the Islington Food Partnership, a borough-wide network that now brings together 243 member organisations to coordinate action on food access, cultural relevance, and sustainability.

Nationally, we work through ACERS UK to centre survivor leadership on FGM reconstruction. We submitted written evidence to the Women and Equalities Committee’s Inquiry; the Committee’s report cites Manor Gardens Welfare Trust extensively and concludes that research into FGM reconstruction is urgently needed and that access to psychosexual support must be provided. Survivors from our Dahlia service and our Clinical Lead, Njomeza Kartallozi, informed these findings.

The Dahlia service was founded by Dr Leyla Hussein Gikandi and remains one of the only specialist services in the country; it is now led by Njomeza Kartallozi. Survivors describe why research and specialist care matter:

“FGM reconstruction surgery is more than just fixing something physical. It's a chance to take back what was stolen and piece myself together with dignity and a real sense of hope. And for young women, especially, this research is everything.” 

“For me, research into reconstruction is about giving women like me a chance to feel whole again, to reduce the suffering, and to save lives.”

Our team co-authored Listening to women’s voices: a Patient and Public Involvement exercise exploring vulval reconstructive surgery for UK women with Female Genital Mutilation.

In the past year we also worked with London Metropolitan University to understand the specific mental health challenges facing young Black men in Islington; two facilitated focus groups surfaced how trauma from street violence and racism is often normalised, why distrust of statutory services persists where cultural competence is lacking, and how long waits, cost, and poor representation block access. Young men called for Black male therapists, community led spaces, and practical support that respects identity and experience.