Farhaz’s story: How Therapoetry is turning lived experience into community impact
Support from the Croydon Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Team has helped Croydon resident Farhaz explore new career opportunities and develop an innovative creative wellbeing project supporting his local community.
Farhaz was referred to the Croydon IPS Team in June 2025, initially looking for job retention support while working at a local college in Croydon.
Although committed to his work, Farhaz was finding the role increasingly stressful, particularly during busy periods.
After being referred to the team, he began working with his employment specialist, Navin Sookhoo. Together, they began exploring ways to help Farhaz manage his workload, prioritise his wellbeing, and think about what he wanted from the next stage of his career.
Farhaz had an extensive professional background in education and linguistics, having studied Linguistics and Arabic before completing a master’s in Applied Linguistics at King’s College London. He had worked as an English Language Teacher across schools, colleges and universities, as well as working as a Consultant Linguist for Apple.
But his own experiences of mental health services had also shaped his ambitions.
Farhaz said: “My own mental health journey, specifically my lived experience with Bipolar Affective Disorder and moving through the clinical system, deeply impacted both my studies and my career.
“Navigating employment – from job applications, to the interview process, and maintaining full-time work – after experiencing severe mental health challenges can be incredibly daunting.
“I decided to get support from Navin and the IPS service because I needed a grounded, strategic sounding board.”
Turning passion into a career
A key part of IPS employment support is helping people pursue work that reflects their own interests, strengths, and ambitions. Rather than focusing simply on the first available vacancy, employment specialists work alongside clients to understand what matters to them and explore opportunities that can lead to meaningful and sustainable employment.
For Farhaz, this meant focusing on two longstanding interests: mental health and creative writing.
Writing lyrics and spoken word had played an important role in helping him process his own experiences, eventually leading to the release of his first Therapoetry EP in 2024.
From there came the idea of Therapoetry – a creative, non-clinical space where people can use poetry, lyrics, music, and writing to explore their thoughts and emotions.
Farhaz said: “I deeply understand the correlation between putting pen to paper and improving one’s wellbeing. Speaking purely from personal experience, sometimes when you are feeling especially reflective, melancholic, or ‘down’ and need to process heavy emotions, a standard 50-minute clinical session doesn't always work. Sometimes, you just need a blank page and a pen - and maybe a calming instrumental that fits the mood.
“So far, the group workshops have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from all participants, whether they’re seasoned writers or absolute beginners.”
The benefits of meaningful work
Therapoetry has provided more than a new professional opportunity for Farhaz. It has allowed him to turn experiences that once presented as challenges into something that can help others.
“It’s been profoundly transformative for my mental health,” he said. “Therapoetry has allowed me to reframe my lived experience – what was once the most challenging part of my life is now the very engine I use to empower others.
“Instead of feeling marginalised by my mental health journey, facilitating these sessions and producing the accompanying music reminds me daily of my own resilience. It keeps me grounded and actively engaged in my own ongoing recovery.”
Support along the way
Farhaz is keen to recognise the many people who have supported him throughout his journey. He particularly credits Navin for his practical and strategic guidance, and Dr Kevin Vento for his continued encouragement and support in developing Therapoetry.
He said: “They helped me break down overwhelming, big-picture goals into manageable, practical steps. They created a safe space where I could express my ambitions without fear of judgement, ensuring my clinical recovery and professional growth walk hand in hand.”
He also thanks Malcolm Gill, Pauline Carpino, Lee Townsend and Jo Darville for helping create opportunities for the project, as well as Arthens and Maddy from Croydon Smile Hub and Marine and Lisa from Creative Health at the Council for their continued backing.
Farhaz also highlighted the support of his friend Ashley Thompson and, above all, his family, who he describes as his strongest support system.
What’s next for Farhaz and Therapoetry
Farhaz now hopes to expand Therapoetry, delivering more creative writing workshops and spoken-word events and partnering with other local organisations. He is also working on a follow-up to his first EP, Session II. He has also continued to progress his wider employment goals, including securing work as a Peer Support Manager with Mind.
His advice to others accessing employment support is simple:
“Be completely honest with your coach about what you actually want, not just what you think you should be doing. Don’t be afraid to bring your unconventional ideas or creative passions to the table.
“Employment support shouldn’t just be about forcing you into the first available job; it’s about finding a path that aligns with your skills and accommodates your wellbeing.”
Therapoetry takes place fortnightly on Tuesday evenings at the Croydon Smile Hub.
The Croydon IPS Team is part of South London and Maudsley Employability Services.