Shaping the Future of Support for Unpaid Carers in Lewisham

By Matthew McKenzie FRSA BEM – Triangle of Care community chair

As a carer living in Lewisham, I know just how important it is that our voices are heard and that the support available truly meets our needs. Whether we’re looking after a parent, a partner, a child, or a friend, we all share the same challenges balancing care responsibilities, work, our own wellbeing, and often feeling invisible in the process.

That’s why I wanted to share something that directly affects all of us. Lewisham Council and the NHS South East London ICB are currently developing a new Action Plan for Unpaid Carers (2025–2028). This plan will set out how the Council aims to identify, value, and support more carers over the next few years.

The team leading this work, including a new member who recently joined the Adults Integrated Commissioning Team, is reaching out to carers across the borough to get our feedback.

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Ethnic mental health Carer Forum : October Update 2025

By Matthew McKenzie, Facilitator, National Ethnic Mental Health Carer Forum

Introduction: A Forum that Connects and Challenges

As the facilitator of the National Ethnic Mental Health Carer Forum, I never take for granted how special these sessions are. Each month, carers, professionals, and researchers from all over the UK log in to share knowledge, raise awareness, and push for change in how mental health services understand and support ethnic minority communities.

Our October 2025 session was a powerful one. Falling on the last day of Black History Month, it brought together crucial themes on race equality, co-production, research, and carer visibility.

We heard from two key areas shaping mental health equity right now:

  • The OSMOSIS Project, led by Dr. Jacqueline Sin and Sharon Galliford, focusing on developing social care-based support for carers of people with psychosis.
  • The Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF), presented by Aboobaker Bhana, Equality and Involvement Manager for South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
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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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Share Your Voice: Help Improve Drug and Alcohol Support in Bromley

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.

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Southwark Family & Carers Event at the Maudsley!

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.

For more information, you can contact:
📧 David.Meyrick@slam.nhs.uk

Lewisham, Southwark & Lambeth carer forum update October 2025

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.

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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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The Power of Lived Experience and Carer Voices in Healthcare: A Conversation with Hannah Codogin

By Matthew McKenzie – Carer activist

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.

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Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2025: Support & Solidarity

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.