By Matthew McKenzie facilitator of National ethnic carer forum and Chair of Triangle of Care Community Group
Racism is not a distant or abstract concept it is a lived reality for many individuals and families, particularly those from Black, Asian, and other minority ethnic backgrounds. Its effects are pervasive, touching every aspect of life, from education and employment to housing, healthcare, and policing.
This article is a transcript of the video below.
In the UK and beyond, the consequences of racism are especially pronounced in the realm of mental health, where both direct and indirect forms of discrimination create barriers to wellbeing and access to care.
By Matthew McKenzie – Carer activist with Think Tenacity Academy CIC at Nando’s High Street Kensington (Event held during Black History Month 2025)
A Warm Welcome and a Powerful Beginning
On Tuesday 28 October 2025 at Nando’s, 229 Kensington High Street.
As soon as I entered, the scent of grilled peri-peri wings mixed with the buzz of conversation. The event Making Time for Black Mental Health was hosted by Think Tenacity Academy CIC, led by founder Bella Rareworld.
If you live in the London Borough of Bromley and support someone affected by drug or alcohol misuse as a family member, carer, or friend your experiences matter.
Healthwatch Bromley is conducting important research into how local drug and alcohol services are working for residents. The project aims to understand what’s helping, what’s not, and what needs to change to make services more effective and accessible for everyone.
By Matthew McKenzie, Chair of the Triangle of Care Community Group
Supporting someone with mental health challenges can be both rewarding and demanding. That’s why it’s so important for families and carers to have spaces where they can connect, share experiences, and find out about the support available to them.
South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) will be hosting a special event for the family and carers of anyone using the services of Southwark community mental health teams, inpatient, or crisis services.
This free, drop-in event offers a relaxed and welcoming environment where families and carers can meet staff, learn more about how services work, and discover the support available to them.
🌈 Event Details
📅 Wednesday 26th November 🕓 4–7 PM 📍 The Maudsley Canteen 💷 Free of charge – drop in anytime
What to Expect
Opportunities to speak directly with staff from Southwark’s mental health teams
Information stalls offering resources and advice
Workshops focused on wellbeing and caring
Food & refreshments provided throughout the evening
Massages to help you relax
A choir performance to lift your spirits
This event is all about community, connection, and care – a chance to recognise the vital role families and carers play in supporting mental health recovery and wellbeing.
If you’re a carer, family member, or friend supporting someone under Southwark’s services, please do come along. It’s an opportunity not only to learn and unwind, but to feel appreciated and supported.
The recent Carers Forum brought together unpaid carers, health professionals, and community organisations from across South London to share updates, experiences, and ideas for improving mental health support. The event, chaired by Matthew McKenzie, created a safe and open space for carers to connect, exchange information, and have their questions heard by local health leaders.
Setting the Scene
Matthew opened the session by welcoming carers from across Lambeth, Lewisham, and Southwark. He spoke about the importance of providing carers with dedicated time to hear from service providers, particularly those supporting someone with mental ill-health and to ensure their voices shape local mental health strategies.
By Matthew McKenzie – Founder of A Caring Mind, unpaid carer, and advocate for ethnic minority carers
This October 2025, I had the privilege of joining Carers Support West Sussex to speak during their Black History Month celebrations under the theme “Standing Firm in Power and Pride.”
Carers Support West Sussex provides advice, emotional support, and practical help to unpaid carers across the county of West Sussex, ensuring they are recognised, valued, and empowered in their caring roles. Their work helps thousands of carers connect with the right information, resources, and community networks when it matters most.
As a Black, unpaid carer of lived experience, I spoke about Race, Inequality, and Carer Voices exploring how racism and structural inequality continue to shape the experiences of carers from ethnic minority backgrounds.
In a recent interview, Matthew McKenzie sat down with Hannah Codigan, a palliative care nurse who brings a unique perspective to healthcare, not only as a professional but also as someone with lived experience of serious mental illness. Together, they explored the importance of recognising unpaid carers and embedding lived experience voices in the design and delivery of healthcare services.
Caring Beyond the Patient
Hannah shared how her role in hospice care extends beyond patients to include families and carers who often struggle without recognition. She emphasised that carers need as much emotional and practical support as the people they care for, noting how time pressures in nursing can make it difficult to truly listen to their experiences.
By Matthew McKenzie – Facilitator of cancer carer forum
Breast Cancer Awareness
October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the UK, which is a time not only to focus on the disease itself but also to recognize the people whose lives are touched by breast cancer.
Awareness campaigns often center on early detection and medical advances, but the human stories behind the statistics are equally vital. Patients, families, and carers form a network of support, resilience, and hope, and their experiences deserve to be at the heart of our conversations.
Just to note, the blog is a transcript of my video below.
The Scope of Breast Cancer in the UK
Breast cancer affects tens of thousands of people every year in the UK, according to organizations like Macmillan Cancer Support. The impact is widespread, touching individuals from all walks of life. While medical statistics and research are essential, it’s crucial to remember that behind every diagnosis is a person navigating a complex journey often with the help of loved ones and caregivers.
Practical Steps for Individuals and Communities
How You Can Make a Difference
Get to know your body: Regular self-examination and awareness of changes are key.
Seek medical advice: Don’t ignore persistent changes—early action is vital.
Share information: Spread reliable, accurate information about breast cancer.
Support carers: Recognize their role and offer practical and emotional support.
Join or create support networks: Forums, peer groups, and information hubs can make a big difference.
Promote solidarity: Wear pink, share stories, and show support.
Advocate for better services: Engage with local authorities and healthcare providers to improve access and support.
Building a Supportive Environment
Creating a supportive environment for patients and carers involves more than just medical care. It’s about fostering connections, offering respite, and ensuring that everyone feels included and valued.
By Matthew McKenzie – Mental Health Carer Activist
As a carer and mental health advocate, I often see how culture, identity, and lived experience shape the stories we tell and the way we support one another. Recently, I attended a remarkable Black History Month event hosted by Certitude, although I could not stay long, I left feeling inspired, proud, and deeply reflective about the intersections between culture, community, and care.
The Black History Month event was held at Bruce Kenrick House on the 16th of October 2025
About Certitude
Certitude is one of London’s leading social care providers, supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, and mental health needs to live fulfilled and independent lives. What makes Certitude special is its person-centred approach celebrating individuality, empowering self-expression, and ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, has the opportunity to thrive.
As someone who’s been advocating for carers for years through A Caring Mind, I know how important it is that carers’ experiences influence the way support systems are built. The OSMOSIS project offers a real chance to help improve understanding and services for those of us supporting loved ones with severe mental health conditions.
If you are caring for someone living with psychosis, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder, here’s an opportunity to make your voice heard.
A Caring Mind 