About - Qadash

Our Mission

Qadash exists to improve mental health outcomes for children and young people by teaching resilience and coping strategies through our trademarked storytelling programme.

We're pioneering a new approach to mental health education in Scotland, committed to revolutionising how young people learn vital life skills through the power of narrative.

In a world where children face unprecedented mental health challenges, we believe in equipping them with the tools they need not just to survive, but to thrive. Our approach goes beyond traditional therapeutic interventions - we focus on social and emotional learning that promotes positive mental health and builds lasting resilience.

                What Makes Us Different
                Unique storytelling-based approach that engages young minds
27 comprehensive mindset skills across 5 transformative pillars
Expert-led by PhD mental health specialist with real-world experience
Focus on practical, real-world application of life skills
Engaging, age-appropriate content designed for lasting impact
Combines academic rigor with empathy and understanding

            

The Growing Mental Health Crisis

Understanding the urgent need for action

Teenage boy suicide rates have doubled since 2012

Teenage girl suicide rates have tripled since 2012

364%

Increase in self-harm incidents for 10-12 year old girls

Anxiety rates for under-25s have trebled

Rising Demand for Support

Mental health contacts have surged from 1 million in April 2016 to 1.2 million by January 2024.

On 14 May 2024, the UK Parliament debated a petition to ban smartphones and camera phones for under 16s due to the effects on mental health, with Conservative MP Miriam Cates highlighting the crisis in youth mental wellbeing.

Why Now?

As one MP stated: "Our kids are not okay. Since 2012, suicide rates for teenage boys in the UK have doubled. They have trebled for girls. Incidents of self-harm for 10 to 12-year-old girls have increased by 364%. Anxiety rates for the under-25s have trebled. Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, loneliness and despair are growing among our youngest citizens."

Research shows that the younger children get their first smartphone, the more likely they are to experience suicidal thoughts, feelings of aggression towards others, and a sense of detachment from reality.

The time for comprehensive, preventative mental health education has never been more critical.

Our Values

The principles that guide everything we do

🎯

Impact-Driven

Every programme is designed with measurable outcomes in mind, focusing on real, positive change in young people's lives. We believe in evidence-based approaches that make a tangible difference.

🤝

Collaborative

We work closely with schools, parents, and communities to create a supportive ecosystem for youth development. Together, we can achieve more for our children.

✨

Innovative

Our storytelling approach breaks away from traditional methods, engaging young minds in ways that resonate. We're not afraid to try new approaches to solve old problems.

💚

Empathetic

We understand the challenges facing young people today because we've lived them. Our programmes are built on genuine care and understanding of children's experiences.

🌱

Growth-Focused

We believe every child has unlimited potential. Our role is to nurture that potential by building resilience, confidence, and the skills needed for lifelong success.

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Excellence

We maintain the highest standards in programme delivery, combining academic expertise with practical application to ensure quality outcomes.

Our Unique Approach

How we deliver transformative mental health education

Storytelling as Foundation

We use narrative and story to teach complex life skills in ways that children naturally engage with. Stories create emotional connections that make learning memorable and impactful.

Holistic Development

Our 27 mindset skills span five comprehensive areas - from understanding the power of the mind to learning how to overcome fear and failure. We address the whole child, not just isolated challenges.

Age-Appropriate Delivery

Content is carefully designed to resonate with young people's experiences and developmental stages, ensuring relevance and accessibility.

Practical Application

We don't just teach theory - we give children tools they can use immediately in their daily lives. Every skill is designed for real-world application.

Prevention, Not Just Intervention

Rather than waiting for crises, we equip children with resilience skills early, building a foundation for lifelong mental wellbeing.

Expert-Led Excellence

Programmes are developed and delivered by qualified mental health professionals with both academic credentials and lived experience.

Our Vision for Impact

Immediate Goals (12 Months)

✓ Introduce our programme into 2 schools in Scotland
✓ Establish strong partnerships with educational institutions
✓ Deliver weekly sessions reaching 20+ children
✓ Begin offering private coaching and community groups

Long-Term Vision

★ Expand throughout Scotland and into the wider UK
★ Develop online platforms for wider accessibility
★ Train other educators to deliver Qadash programmes
★ Become the leading voice in preventative mental health education

Leadership & Expertise

Expertise meets passion - A unique blend of academic rigor and lived experience

Siphiwe Carol Nxumalo Ngubane

Founder & Director

"I founded Qadash because I've seen firsthand the devastating impact of inadequate mental health support for young people..."

Academic & Professional Qualifications:

PhD in Mental Health - Bringing rigorous academic research to programme development
Certified Coach for Children and Young People - Specialized training in youth development and coaching methodologies
Extensive Clinical Experience - Years of working directly with mental health challenges in young people
Academic Background - Deep understanding of child psychology, development, and educational theory

What Sets Our Leadership Apart

The Parent Perspective: As a mother who has navigated mental health challenges with her own children and their peers, Siphiwe brings an authenticity and empathy that can only come from lived experience. She's not just an expert - she's been in the shoes of the parents we serve.

Clinical Expertise Meets Real-World Application: The combination of PhD-level research expertise with hands-on coaching certification means our programmes are both evidence-based and practically applicable. Theory meets practice in every session.

Deep Understanding of the Educational Landscape: Having worked within educational systems and seen their limitations firsthand, Siphiwe designed Qadash to fill the gaps that traditional approaches miss.

Passion and Purpose: This isn't just a business - it's a calling. Every programme is infused with a genuine desire to empower, inspire, and encourage young people to fulfill their potential.

Our Commitment to Excellence

Siphiwe's comprehensive background enables her to:

Design programmes grounded in the latest mental health research
Deliver content in ways that truly resonate with young people
Navigate the complex intersection of education, mental health, and youth development
Provide guidance that's both professionally sound and personally empathetic
Build partnerships with schools and organizations based on deep understanding of their needs

Join Us in Making a Difference

Together, we can equip the next generation with the resilience and skills they need to thrive in an increasingly challenging world.

Get Involved