Community Projects

Care that extends beyond the ward

Community projects at IQ Institute of Neuropsychiatry bring structured, meaningful activities directly to inpatients. Led by interns, volunteers, and visiting university teams, these initiatives complement clinical care by addressing emotional wellbeing, social engagement, and creative expression.

Each project is supervised, purposefully designed, and grounded in evidence-based therapeutic approaches. This page documents what has been done — and grows with every new initiative.

Inpatient activities

Volunteer & intern-led inpatient projects

Ongoing

These projects are conducted within IQ’s inpatient ward by supervised interns and visiting volunteer teams from partner universities. Activities are selected for their therapeutic value and adapted to suit the needs of inpatients across diagnostic groups.

3 January 2026

Therapeutic Activity Session

Conducted by volunteers from DHA Suffa University

Completed

Music Action Therapy

Rhythmic movement, guided actions, and interactive musical activities aimed at enhancing emotional regulation, attention, coordination, and social interaction. Participants expressed themselves through movement and sound, fostering relaxation, group bonding, and positive mood states.

Horticulture Therapy

Plant-related activities including planting, watering, and basic garden care. Supports sensory stimulation, responsibility, patience, and environmental awareness. Promotes stress reduction, improved focus, and a sense of achievement through nurturing living plants.

Hand Print Creative Activity

Creative expression through art using colors and textures. Supports fine motor skills, sensory exploration, and emotional expression. Encourages self-identity, teamwork, and positive social interaction within a supportive group environment.

Outcome & impact

These activities collectively contributed to improved emotional wellbeing, increased participation, enhanced social skills, and a sense of belonging within the community. The project emphasized inclusivity, creativity, and holistic mental health support.

28 February 2026

Community-Based Project Session

Conducted by the February 2026 intake of the Internship in Neurodevelopmental Evaluations & Interventions

Completed

Mirror Therapy

A guided reflective activity using mirrors to support emotional awareness and self-perception. Participants were encouraged to observe and acknowledge their expressions and responses, fostering deeper emotional reflection and a stronger sense of self-awareness in a safe, supported environment.

Mandala Art

Participants engaged in the creation of mandala patterns using colors and shapes. This structured art activity supports focus, emotional regulation, and relaxation. The repetitive, meditative nature of mandala creation encourages mindfulness and provides a calming outlet for self-expression.

Letter Writing

Participants wrote letters addressed to themselves — a therapeutic exercise in self-compassion, reflection, and emotional processing. This activity encourages individuals to articulate their feelings, acknowledge their experiences, and cultivate a kinder internal dialogue.

Mindfulness

A guided mindfulness session designed to anchor participants in the present moment through focused breathing and sensory awareness. Supports anxiety reduction, emotional steadiness, and a calmer internal state — particularly beneficial within an inpatient setting.

Storytelling Circle

Participants collaboratively built fictional stories using sentence completion prompts. This activity promotes imagination, group cohesion, and verbal expression in a low-pressure creative setting. Contributing to a shared narrative fosters a sense of connection and collective engagement among participants.

Outcome & impact

The session provided inpatients with a structured, engaging, and therapeutically grounded experience led by supervised interns. Activities spanned creative expression, emotional reflection, mindfulness, and collaborative storytelling — offering a diverse range of modalities within a single session. Participants demonstrated active engagement and positive responses across all five activities.

6 March 2026 · Ramadan

Tasbeeh Making Activity

Conducted by IQ Institute of Neuropsychiatry’s psychologists with male inpatients

Completed

Tasbeeh Making

Male inpatients at IQ participated in a guided tasbeeh-making activity facilitated by the IQ psychologist team during the holy month of Ramzan. Participants threaded and assembled tasbeehs by hand, engaging in a culturally and spiritually meaningful craft that combined fine motor skill development with mindful, repetitive movement. The Ramzan context added a layer of spiritual significance, making the activity particularly resonant for participants — connecting personal faith with a tangible, calming creative process.

Therapeutic focus areas

The activity addressed multiple therapeutic goals simultaneously — fine motor coordination through bead threading, mindfulness through sustained focused attention, relaxation through rhythmic repetitive movement, and spiritual and cultural connection through an activity rooted in Islamic practice during Ramzan. The group format also supported social engagement and a shared sense of purpose among participants.

Outcome & impact

The session was well received by participants, with active engagement observed throughout. The culturally grounded nature of the activity — held during Ramadan — supported a deeper sense of connection and meaning for the male inpatient group. Participants left the session with a completed tasbeeh of their own, providing a tangible outcome that reinforced their sense of achievement and personal investment in the activity.

4 March 2026

Reflection & Resilience: A Community-Based Therapeutic Session

Conducted by the March 2026 intake of the Internship in Neurodevelopmental Evaluations & Interventions

Completed

Activities

Memory Box

Objects placed in a box were revealed one by one. Participants pulled them out and attempted to identify or recall what was hidden. This activity assessed memory, attention, and cognitive processing while providing insight into executive function and recall abilities—revealing strengths and areas for continued support.

Hope Cards

Participants were invited to envision and articulate their future aspirations. Writing on hope cards, they expressed their goals, dreams, and sense of purpose. This reflective exercise strengthened forward-thinking, insight, and intentionality—allowing inpatients to articulate not just what they want, but why it matters.

Money Management

Armed with simulated monthly income, participants made spending decisions from available items: fruits, vegetables, games, and fast food. Their choices revealed insight into thought patterns, decision-making, and readiness for independence. This practical life skills exercise assessed both judgment and progress in real-world planning.

Outcome & impact

The session provided inpatients with a structured, engaging, and clinically designed experience led by supervised interns. Activities spanned cognitive assessment, emotional reflection, aspirational planning, and practical life skills, offering a diverse range of therapeutic modalities within a single session. Participants demonstrated active engagement and meaningful responses across all three activities, with visible progress in insight, self-awareness, and forward-thinking.

Get involved

Bring your team to IQ

Universities, student societies, and volunteer organizations are welcome to propose therapeutic activity sessions for IQ inpatients. All projects are reviewed and supervised by our clinical team.

Get in touch →

Learn more

Interested in our programs?

Explore our internship tracks and training pathways or get in touch to find out how your institution can collaborate with us.