Blog post by Matthew McKenzie
Young Carers Action Day 2025 – “Give Me A Break”
Imagine carrying the weight of responsibility far beyond your years. Imagine balancing school, friendships, and your own well-being while caring for a loved one. This is the reality for thousands of young carers across the country.
Young Carers Action Day is an annual event held in mid-March, organized and led by Carers Trust.
Continue readingToday, on March 8, 2025, we come together to celebrate International Women’s Day under the theme:
📢 “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”
This theme serves as a powerful reminder that true equality isn’t just about acknowledging progress—it’s about taking real action to break down barriers, create opportunities, and ensure that no one is left behind.
To watch my video on Womens Rights Day 2025, click below.
On March 7, 2025, The Foundry in London became the epicenter of a powerful movement towards racial equity in healthcare.
The London Anti-Racism Collaboration for Health (LARCH), Health Innovation Network and Race Equality Foundation hosted their Annual Conference and Learning Event, bringing together thought leaders, policymakers, and community advocates dedicated to dismantling systemic racism in health and social care.
The event was chaired by Dame Marie Gabriel, a pioneering advocate for equity in the NHS. Kicking off with opening remarks from Dr. Debbie Weekes-Bernard, Deputy Mayor for Communities & Social Justice, the conference established a clear message: structural racism in healthcare is a pressing issue that demands systemic solutions.
Continue readingCaring for someone with a mental illness is an emotional, often isolating experience. Unpaid carers—whether they are family members, friends, or loved ones—carry immense responsibility, yet their voices can feel unheard, especially within the healthcare system.
One of my poem’s “On Being Heard” taken from my book The Poetry Book of Mental Health Caring, captures this struggle with raw honesty.
Continue readingCaregiving is often seen as an act of love and dedication, where individuals selflessly care for loved ones dealing with long-term physical or mental health issues. For many, the journey of caregiving can be particularly challenging, filled with emotional, physical, and psychological hurdles. However, one essential aspect often intertwined in this journey, especially for black carers, is faith and spirituality.
To watch the video lecture by Matthew McKenzie, click the video below
Faith and spirituality can significantly influence those who are unpaid carers or caregivers, particularly within minority communities. Whether through organized religious beliefs, church communities, or personal spirituality, faith can provide strength, resilience, and coping mechanisms essential for caregivers.
Continue readingThe National Ethnic Mental Health Carer Forum convened to discuss the ongoing challenges faced by minority carers in accessing mental health services. The meeting focused on strategies to improve cultural competence, equitable treatment, and accessibility within mental health care systems. A key topic was the Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF), with organizations sharing their experiences and plans for implementation. Additionally, the discussion covered language barriers, education initiatives, and the role of co-production in fostering inclusive care.
Dr Judy, a researcher from the University of Bristol, discussed her ongoing project on the nearest relative provision in the Mental Health Act and the need for co-produced resources to support those in this role. She also mentioned the support from charitable organizations like Mind and Rethink.
Continue readingHere is another blog post aimed at those caring for a loved one living with mental illness. If you want to see the video lecture of “Advocacy & Mental Health Care Top Questions Every Carer Should Ask”. Click on the video below.
Caring for someone with a long-term mental illness is both a noble and challenging task. In today’s society, unpaid carers, often family members or close friends, play a crucial role in supporting individuals with mental health needs. Despite their importance, unpaid carers frequently navigate a complex and overwhelming landscape of rights, services, and support systems.
Continue readingOn Thursday, 27th February, an impactful event titled “Making Time for Black Mental Health” took place at the Novotel Hotel in Greenwich.
The event aimed to provide a safe space for open discussions about black mental health, offering insights from experts, personal stories, and highlighting available support resources.
This event brought together professionals, community members, and individuals with lived experiences to share their thoughts on mental health in the black community, providing guidance on seeking help and breaking the stigma around mental well-being.
Continue readingOn February 25th, 2025, carers, professionals, and support organizations gathered at Tooley Street for a Carers event provided by Southwark Council. The event was developed by Sarah Bullman, Senior Policy and Strategy Lead for Adult Social Care over in Southwark. The event, hosted by Simon Rayner, provided an opportunity to connect, share updates, and explore ways to support carers in the community.
🔹 Carefree – Presented by Salil Meech Mazumdar, Carefree shared their work in providing much-needed short breaks and respite opportunities for unpaid carers, ensuring they have time to rest and recharge.
🔹 Southwark Carers – Sarah Bullman introduced Southwark Carers including Verinder CEO of Southwark Carers, an essential organization offering tailored advice, practical support, and advocacy for carers in the borough of Southwark.
🔹 Mobilise – A digital-first platform supporting carers, Mobilise was discussed in depth, highlighting how online peer support and coaching can help carers navigate their roles more effectively.
🔹 Imago – Known for their work in youth and adult carer services, Imago shared updates on their projects that focus on young carers, connecting them with resources and professional guidance.
🔹 Carers Hub/Centre – Southwark council focus on a new Carers Hub set for next year, where updates on focus groups and workshops on how the carers centre will be used for supporting unpaid carers.
The last section of the event was below
🔹 Voice of the Carer & Carer Empowerment – Chloe Harvey and Sarah Bullman provided updates on Southwark’s Carers Strategy, reinforcing the importance of carer voices in shaping policy.
Plus Matthew McKenzie, a well-known carer advocate, spoke passionately about listening to carers, empowering them, and ensuring co-production in decision-making. He also read moving excerpts from his book, The Poetry of Mental Health Caring, which resonated deeply with attendees.
The event concluded with a networking lunch, allowing attendees to connect, share experiences, and strengthen their collective efforts in supporting carers.
This forum was a powerful reminder that carers should never feel alone—there is a strong and growing community dedicated to uplifting and advocating for them. 💙
Here is a brief update of the joint Southwark & Lambeth mental health carers forum I run the last monday of the month. The forum is a space for those caring for someone with mental ill health to connect and get updates from service providers.
As facilitator Matthew McKenzie emphasized the importance of managing guilt as a mental health carer, challenging unrealistic expectations, and setting boundaries for one’s own well-being. Matthew also stressed the need for self-care, seeking professional guidance, and advocating for respite care. The conversation ended with discussions on the concept of guilt, the challenges of being a carer, and strategies for holding care coordinators and social workers accountable.
Continue reading
A Caring Mind 