Category Archives: equity

blogs and posts on anti-racism

Latest poem from my book – Unpaid, Unseen and Yet Unbroken

By Matthew McKenzie, facilitator of National ethnic mental health carers forum

Welcome to my first blog for 2026.

I am working on a new poetry project linked to my forum and poetry groups. This poem turned into song is written from the perspective of an unpaid ethnic mental health carer, and explores identity, pride, self-worth, and refusing shame in systems that don’t always listen or recognise lived experience.

The poem is taken from my forthcoming poetry book in development,
Unpaid, Unseen and Yet Unbroken (due 2026), which centres the voices of ethnic mental health carers and aligns closely with the aims of PCREF (Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework), particularly around listening, inclusion, and lived experience shaping systems.

I’m using poetry and creative formats as another way to:

  • amplify carer voices
  • explore race and care with honesty
  • support conversations about equity, culture, and confidence in mental health services

If this resonates with your work, community, or organisation, please feel free to share.
Listening is an act of care.

Poetry Submissions for Minority Carers in Mental Health Care: Share Your Voice

Matthew McKenzie FRSA BEM, poet and advocate for unpaid ethnic mental health carers, is inviting carers involved in NHS Trusts, PCREF (Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework), and Trust involvement registers to submit their poems for an upcoming 2026 poetry collection. This collection will spotlight minority carers’ voices and explore themes of race, culture, and lived experience in mental health care.

About the Poetry Collection

The collection will focus on amplifying minority carers’ experiences through poetry. It will be part of the paperback version of Matthew’s upcoming poetry book Unpaid, Unseen and Yet Unbroken and will include poems from carers all over the country. This is a unique opportunity for minority ethnic carers to have their voices heard and their stories shared on a national platform, contributing to the ongoing conversation about race equality, care, and mental health.

Why Should You Submit a Poem?

If you’re a minority carer or carers from underrepresented community, your voice matters. PCREF is committed to creating systemic change, and this collection will work alongside it to ensure that carers from minority communities are not left unheard. Submitting your poem gives you the chance to:

  • Raise awareness of the emotional, cultural, and psychological realities of being a carer.
  • Inspire others by sharing your lived experience.
  • Amplify minority voices within NHS Trusts, PCREF spaces, and mental health care systems.

Who Can Submit?

We welcome submissions from unpaid ethnic mental health carers who are:

  • Involved in NHS Trusts, PCREF, or trust involvement registers.
  • Attending ethnic mental health carer peer groups at carer centres
  • Interested in sharing their personal experiences and reflections through poetry.

How to Submit Your Poem:

  • Submit an original poem that reflects the emotional, cultural, and psychological realities of being an unpaid mental health carer.
  • Poems can focus on themes such as:
    • Emotional challenges of care
    • The hidden burden of caring
    • Resilience and survival
    • Navigating mental health services
    • Coping with racial and cultural barriers in care
    • Family dynamics in caregiving
  • Deadline for submissions is late April 2026.

Submission Guidelines:

  1. Format: Poems can be submitted in Word, PDF, or plain text format.
  2. Length: There is no strict length, but we recommend that submissions be no longer than 1 page.
  3. Multiple submissions: You can submit more than one poem if desired.
  4. Contact Information: Please include your full name, contact details along with your poem, so i can credit you. Unless you wish to be anonymous.

How to Submit:

You can also reach out to Matthew directly if you have any questions about the submission process or the collection.

What Happens After You Submit?

Once submissions are received, I will review all entries and select poems that align with the themes of the collection. All selected poets will be notified and credited in the final publication.

Need Inspiration or Support?

If you’re unsure where to start or need some encouragement, consider reflecting on your personal journey as a carer. Think about moments where language failed to express your experience or times when your strength surprised you. Your story is valuable, and this collection is about lifting up voices that have often been overlooked.

Contact Information:

For any questions or additional information, please contact Matthew McKenzie:

Submit Your Poem and Be Part of the Change

This is your chance to raise awareness and inspire others by sharing your lived experiences through poetry. Help shape a future where minority carers are valued, heard, and recognized for the essential work they do. We look forward to reading your stories!

How Racism Affects Black and Minority Communities and Why Mental Health Services Must Help Lead Change

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.

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Making Time for Black Mental Health: A Black Male Carer’s Reflection

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.

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Black History Month: Standing Firm in Power and Pride

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.

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Standing Firm in Power and Pride — A Certitude Black History Month 2025 Celebration

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.

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Power, Pride, Progress: A Celebration of Black History Month 2025

By Matthew McKenzie – Facilitator of national ethnic carer forum

Black History Month 2025 is not far behind, this blog celebrates the spirit of “Standing Firm in Power and Pride.” The video. hosted by Matthew McKenzie, founder of the National Ethnic Mental Health Carer Forum invites viewers on a reflective and inspiring journey through history, identity, and purpose.

Unpacking the Theme: Power and Pride

“Power” in Black History Month isn’t about titles, it’s about leadership that uplifts communities, resistance that shapes policy, and vision that transcends obstacles. From political trailblazers to artists and educators, Black leaders have transformed the narrative of equity.

“Pride” stands for cultural identity, heritage, and the vibrant legacy of Black excellence across generations. It pulses through art, storytelling, music, and traditions that echo forward. This month invites us to embrace that heritage without reservation or apology.

Call to Action: Watch, Reflect, and Share

We invite you to watch the video, reflect on its message, and share it widely. Encourage your community. friends, family, colleagues to stand firm in their own power and pride. Let’s amplify these voices and build bridges toward an inclusive future.

Commemorating Groundbreaking Milestones

This year holds special significance:

  • The 60th Anniversary of the Race Relations Act — a pivotal moment in Britain’s legislative effort to combat racial inequality.
  • Remembering Malcolm X — whose courage and conviction continue to inspire global movements for justice.
  • The 80th Anniversary of the Fifth Pan-African Congress — where visionaries like W. E. B. Du Bois, Kwame Nkrumah, and Amy Ashwood Garvey united to confront colonial oppression.
  • Honouring Paul Stephenson OBE — leader of the 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott.
  • Honouring Lord Herman Ouseley — instrumental in advancing Britain’s approach to institutional equality.

Their legacies reinforce that our present progress is rooted in collective courage and unwavering solidarity.

Why This Matters for Mental Health and Carers

At the core of the National Ethnic Mental Health Carer Forum’s mission is the recognition that cultural heritage and identity are integral to wellness and caregiving. It’s a call to action. It urges us to:

  • Break down barriers that impact mental health support.
  • Cultivate environments where cultural pride is part of healing.
  • Celebrate carers, families, and communities who carry resilience forward every day.

I hope the month brings us together, brings communities together to celebrate black history. Thanks for reading.

Institutional Distrust Why Many Ethnic Carers Avoid Formal Services

Understanding the Hidden Struggles of Ethnic Minority Carers
Caring for a loved one with mental illness can come with challenges, but for many ethnic minority carers, the journey is made more challenging by cultural stigma, language barriers, and a deep-rooted mistrust of formal health systems.

These carers often carry immense responsibility behind closed doors, with little recognition or support. Despite their dedication, many avoid reaching out to mental health services—not because they don’t care, but because past experiences have taught them to be cautious, even fearful.

What Is Institutional Distrust and Why Does It Matter?
Institutional distrust refers to the lack of confidence in systems like healthcare, social care, or government services. For ethnic minority carers, this distrust is often grounded in real experiences of discrimination, cultural insensitivity, or the fear of losing control over a loved one’s care.

When services fail to understand or respect a carer’s background, the result is silence and isolation leaving carers to cope alone, without the help they may desperately need.

A Short Video Giving Voice to Unheard Stories
To shed light on this important issue, I’ve created a short video presentation:
“Institutional Distrust: Why Many Ethnic Carers Avoid Formal Services”


This video draws on the voices and lived experiences of unpaid carers, especially those from ethnic minority backgrounds. It explores the emotional weight they carry, the cultural barriers they navigate, and the urgent need for services to become more inclusive, respectful, and culturally aware.

Why Sharing These Stories Matters
If we truly want to support carers from all backgrounds, we must first listen and really listen to what they’re telling us. By naming institutional distrust and understanding its roots, we can begin to rebuild trust and create spaces where carers feel safe to seek help.

Please watch and share the video, and let’s continue the conversation about what real support looks like for ethnic minority carers in mental health.

Black Storytelling, Real Healing: Inside Think Tenacity’s Mental Health Awareness Week Event

By Matthew McKenzie, carer activist
Date: May 24, 2025

In an evening charged with truth, courage, and community spirit, Think Tenacity Academy CIC hosted one of the most impactful events of Mental Health Awareness Week 2025. Held at Think Tenacity HQ in Vauxhall and themed #BlackStorytellingCommunity, the gathering was more than a panel or workshop, it was a safe space for healing through shared experience.

The event was led by Bella Rareworld, Think Tenacity’s CEO and a mental health advocate living with bipolar disorder, the event was built on a legacy of ancestral wisdom: “Before slavery, social media, or podcasts, we passed on strength and knowledge through storytelling,” she reminded the audience. “Tonight, we reclaim that legacy not just to speak, but to heal, empower, and connect.”

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How Empathy Can Help Reduce Racism: Understanding Its Impact and Role

Understanding the Role of Empathy in Reducing Racism

Welcome to about blog and video lecture from carer advocate Matthew McKenzie. This time I want to promote the importance of how empathy serves as a powerful tool in addressing and reducing racism within society. To watch my video lecture on reducing racism, see the video below.

When it comes to reducing Racism, it requires individuals to step into another person’s shoes, acknowledging their lived experiences and how the impact of racial discrimination affects them.

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