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.
By Matthew McKenzie FRSA BEM, Chair, Triangle of Care Community Group
This week’s Triangle of Care Member Webinar, hosted by Carers Trust, which focused on a vital question: What makes for meaningful carer involvement?
We heard from across the Triangle of Care network, these being carers, professionals, and trust representatives coming together to share what genuine involvement looks like in practice.
I spoke about my own lived experience as a carer, supporting two non-verbal brothers with autism and my late mother with mental health challenges and how this journey has shaped my advocacy for stronger partnerships between carers and professionals.
Over the years, through the Triangle of Care, I’ve seen how much difference early and equal involvement can make.
On World Mental Health Day 2025, learn why mental health support in crises is vital, especially for unpaid carers facing emotional challenges and exhaustion. The blog is a transcript of my video, which you can watch below.
Reflecting on World Mental Health Day: A Call to Action for Crisis Support
Every year, World Mental Health Day serves as a global reminder to pause, reflect, and recommit to caring for ourselves and each other. Observed on October 10th, this day is more than a symbolic gesture as it’s an urgent call to recognize the importance of mental health, especially in times of crisis.
Today, I had the privilege of being part of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s Mental Health Fair, held on Thursday 2nd October, in recognition of World Mental Health Day 2025.
The event brought together a wide range of organisations and community groups working tirelessly to support the mental health and wellbeing of patients, families, and carers.
Why carers need to be at the heart of mental health conversations
As someone who has cared for a loved one experiencing mental health challenges, I know firsthand the importance of recognising and supporting carers through the groups i run.
By Matthew McKenzie – Carer activist and facilitator of the group
The group is a community of carers in Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham that exists to provide support, advocacy, and connection for people looking after loved ones living with mental illness. It brings together unpaid carers of all ages and backgrounds to share experiences, learn from one another, and build confidence in dealing with health and social care professionals. A core part of its mission is reducing isolation by creating a safe space where carers can speak openly, develop skills, and access practical resources like advocacy services.
The meeting began with introductions and updates from various participants, including myselff where I discussed work with London Hospitals and the NHS app, while other carers introduced themselves to the group. In attendance was Tama from PohWer presented information about carer complaints and support services across different regions, including discussions about the potential impact of Healthwatch’s dissolution on patient and carer support services.
Today I had the opportunity to be interviewed for the Specsavers Carers Hub, a platform that shares real stories, advice, and support for those who dedicate their lives to caring. It was a chance to reflect not only on my role as a carer but also on the deeper themes of healing, connection, and creativity that shape my journey.
Telling My Story
As someone with lived experience of caring for my mother and brothers, I know first-hand how demanding and emotional the role of an unpaid carer can be. I shared their story through my words and memories.
Speaking on camera about my caring role reminded me why visibility matters. Carers often go unseen, yet carer voices hold the power to inspire change, raise awareness, and remind others that they are not alone.
The Importance of Self-Healing
One of the most important parts of my journey has been recognising the need for self-care and self-healing. Carers often put the needs of others before their own, but to continue supporting loved ones, we must nurture our own wellbeing. Whether through reflection, community, or creative outlets, finding ways to heal is not selfish.
Connecting with Carers
During the interview, I spoke about the importance of connection. Meeting other carers, whether through groups, campaigns from Carers UK, or online spaces, brings a sense of solidarity. I wont say much about the interview, you will need to watch the video when it is released.
The Power of Poetry and Words
For me, poetry has always been a form of healing. Writing and performing allows me to give shape to emotions that are often hard to express. In the beginning of my caring journey, words were painful, but after a while words can be medicine they can validate, soothe, and inspire both writer and listener.
A Special Thanks to Specsavers
I couldn’t end without mentioning the role my Specsavers glasses played in my journey. Whether it’s writing late into the night, reading the works that inspire me, or standing up to perform poetry, my glasses have been an essential tool.
To check out previous carer stories, please viset the Specsavers Carers Hub below.
A Caring Mind 