By Matthew McKenzie, Co-Facilitator – South West London Mental Health Carers Forum
The South West London Mental Health Carers Forum met again during August 2026, bringing together unpaid carers to share experiences, discuss how the forum is developing and look at ways we can strengthen the voice of carers across South West London.
The forum continues to be a peer-led space shaped by carers themselves. An important message from the August meeting was that this is a group for carers, run with carers and influenced by carers. Members spoke about wanting people who join the forum to feel recognised, valued and able to support one another, rather than the group becoming overly formal or service-led.
Co-producing our new forum poster
A significant part of the August meeting was devoted to reviewing a new promotional poster for the forum.
Rather than simply designing a poster and distributing it, we wanted members to see the draft first and help shape the final version. This became a useful co-production exercise in its own right.
Members were generally positive about the design and felt it was clear and welcoming. There was discussion about the wording “We are here for carers – Your voice matters”, and what the word “we” represents. The intention is that “we” means the forum collectively rather than any individual facilitator. The poster therefore needs to communicate that the forum belongs to its members.
Members also discussed the importance of showing what actually happens at the forum. This includes giving carers a stronger voice, influencing services, building connections, raising awareness, providing peer support and occasionally inviting relevant guest speakers.
There was a particularly useful suggestion to make “safe and confidential space” more prominent. Members felt that carers considering joining should know that they can talk about their experiences in an environment where confidentiality and respect are taken seriously.
The discussion also reinforced that guest speakers are useful, but they should support rather than dominate the forum. Speakers can help carers understand services and, importantly, give carers opportunities to raise common concerns directly with people who may be able to influence change.
Keeping the forum safe online
Another important discussion concerned how people access our Zoom meetings.
Members considered whether the Zoom link should simply appear on the poster. We decided against this. Previous experiences of open Zoom links have shown why online carer spaces need some protection.
Instead, the promotional material will direct people towards registration or contact information. This gives us a better idea of who is joining and helps maintain a safer environment for carers discussing potentially sensitive experiences.
The QR code was tested during the meeting and members were able to use it successfully to reach the registration information.
At the same time, an important accessibility point was raised: not every carer has a smartphone or feels comfortable using QR codes. For that reason, the poster includes conventional contact information so nobody is excluded simply because they are less confident with technology.
Making the forum easier to find
We also talked about getting the poster beyond our existing membership.
Members suggested continuing to circulate promotional material through local carer organisations and displaying posters in appropriate NHS and community settings. There was discussion about posters appearing on carer noticeboards and, where possible, reaching wards and other places where families may see them.
The intention is to have both a general poster containing the forum’s regular dates and updated promotional material for individual meetings.
This matters because there are unpaid carers across South West London who may have no idea that a peer forum such as ours exists.
Creating a stronger identity for the forum
One suggestion that came from members was to develop a more independent identity for the forum, including a dedicated email address.
Members felt this could make the forum easier to recognise and give carers a clearer point of contact instead of relying on individual personal accounts. There was also a feeling that having a dedicated identity would help the forum look more established while still remaining a voluntary, carer-led group.
Since the August meeting, I have acted on that suggestion.
The forum now has its own domain and dedicated contact address:
This is a small development, but I think it represents an important step in giving the forum an identity that belongs to the group.
Valuing carers’ time in research
Our meeting also led to a wider discussion about research involving unpaid carers.
I shared information about an Oxford University study exploring caregiver wellbeing and participation in social groups. The proposed survey takes around 40 minutes to complete.
This prompted some strong and thoughtful feedback.
Members were supportive of research that can improve understanding of unpaid caring, but questioned the repeated expectation that carers should contribute substantial amounts of their time without any recognition or reimbursement.
Carers already give enormous amounts of unpaid time. Members felt universities and research organisations should think more carefully about recognising lived-experience contributions, whether through vouchers, reimbursement or even a contribution to an appropriate charity.
This was not about carers being unwilling to help research. In fact, the opposite is often true. Carers repeatedly give their experiences because they hope things will improve for others.
The question raised by the forum was:
If lived experience is valuable enough to research, shouldn’t the time of the people providing that lived experience also be valued?
I agreed to feed this point back.
Moving forward together
What I particularly valued about August’s meeting was that something as straightforward as reviewing a poster developed into a much broader conversation about what kind of forum we want to be.
Members want a welcoming and confidential peer space. They want carers to have a stronger voice. They want relevant speakers and opportunities to influence services, but they also want the forum to remain somewhere carers can simply connect with people who understand the realities of caring.
As one part of the discussion emphasised, we are not a large organisation or charity. We are a group of people coming together to support one another and help ensure carers feel recognised and valued.
That is something worth protecting as the forum grows.
Our next forum
The South West London Mental Health Carers Forum will next meet online on:
Monday 28 September 2026 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm Online via Zoom
The September session will include a peer session and Recovery College discussion.
The forum covers carers across Kingston, Merton, Richmond, Sutton and Wandsworth.
For information about joining or future meetings, contact:
The Ealing Carers Online Poetry Group returned in August for another warm and creative evening of poetry, reflection and peer support. Delivered with the support of Ealing Carers Partnership, the group has now been running for two years and continues to provide carers with a welcoming space in which they can express themselves, meet others and take some valuable time away from the pressures of their caring roles.
Carers joined the session for different reasons. Some wanted inspiration to write, while others valued the opportunity to relax, listen and spend time with people who understood the realities of caring. One member described how they often begin an exercise believing they will not be able to write anything, only to be surprised by the words and emotions that emerge.
This is an important part of the poetry group. Nobody needs to be an experienced poet, and there is no pressure to read aloud. People are welcome to participate at their own pace, listen to other carers and gradually build their confidence.
Exploring “The Heart of Care”
The main writing exercise was called “The Heart of Care”. Carers were given the beginnings of lines and invited to complete them using words drawn from their own experiences. They could choose whether or not to use rhyme.
The poems explored dedication, courage, memories, exhaustion, prayer, quiet reflection and the determination required to continue caring through difficult days. Familiar moments, including sharing a laugh, shedding a tear or simply making a cup of tea, became meaningful images within the poems.
Although everyone worked from the same starting point, each poem developed its own character and voice. One contribution focused on the strength needed to continue walking along the “winding road” of caring. Another described finding a voice and taking a stance, while another ended by recognising that small moments of reflection can help build the core of a carer’s wellbeing.
The exercise reminded us that poetry does not need to be complicated. A few carefully chosen words can express feelings that may otherwise be difficult to explain.
Listening, reflecting and encouraging one another
After each poem was shared, group members were encouraged to ask thoughtful questions and reflect on what they had heard. This created some powerful conversations about finding your voice, managing negative thoughts and recognising your own efforts.
One carer spoke about replacing late-night self-criticism with positive affirmations: reminding themselves that they had done their best and did not need to solve everything before allowing themselves to rest.
Another spoke about the “will” carers must find each morning to get up and continue. Even though they felt nervous about reading aloud, the encouragement they received demonstrated the peer-support element at the heart of the group.
Carers were encouraged to keep their poems together in a folder or notebook. Returning to words about hope, warmth, identity and resilience can offer reassurance during times when someone is feeling low or overwhelmed.
When a carer’s poem becomes a song
A particularly moving part of the evening came when one member shared a song developed from their own poem about caring. The piece was originally inspired by the theme “A Carer Is” and offered a heartfelt message to other carers: you are seen, you matter and the contribution you make deserves to be recognised.
Members described the song as a love letter to carers. They felt it was something from which carers could draw comfort and strength, particularly because recognition does not always come from services or even from the people receiving care.
The writer generously gave permission for the song to be shared with other carer groups, forums and events.
The session was also an opportunity to ask carers what they would like to experience at upcoming in-person and hybrid poetry events.
Ideas included combining poetry with art, drawing and music; creative activities based on hope, wellbeing and resilience; choosing unexpected words from a hat and using them to write a poem or short story; and using simple unfinished lines to help people try poetry for the first time.
Members also suggested introducing relaxation, breathing and gentle body-awareness activities. These could help carers settle their minds, release some tension and feel ready to write.
Most importantly, carers wanted opportunities to perform their own work and help lead parts of future workshops. One member volunteered to lead a creative word-picking exercise at a future event. This is an exciting step towards making the programme increasingly carer-led and co-produced.
Upcoming activities discussed during the session included an Ealing Central Library workshop on 8 October, a future workshop at Greenford Library and an event at Manor House Library in Lewisham on 4 November. Further details will be shared once all arrangements have been confirmed.
Join the Ealing Carers Online Poetry Group
The Ealing Carers Online Poetry Group is more than a writing workshop. It is a friendly and supportive community where carers can connect, develop their creativity and have their experiences heard and valued.
You do not need to consider yourself a poet. You can write in rhyme or free verse, share something you have already created or simply attend and listen. Carers from Ealing and beyond are welcome to take part.
The next online meeting is planned for Friday 25 September 2026. Please contact the group organiser for the joining details and to be added to the mailing list.
Whether you are looking for creative inspiration, companionship, a little relaxation or a safe way to express your caring experiences, you will be warmly welcomed.
On Monday 24 August, I facilitated another meeting of the South London Mental Health Carers Forum. The forum brings together unpaid carers and carer representatives from Lewisham, Lambeth, Southwark and Croydon, giving people a space to share experiences, learn about their rights and influence the development of local mental health services.
We welcomed carers with many different experiences, including parents supporting adult children with serious mental illness, autism and substance misuse, as well as people involved in advocacy, peer support, staff training and service development. Some members had been navigating the mental health system for many years, while others were newer to caring and looking for guidance.
A powerful message emerged from the introductions: even experienced carers can struggle to understand how different parts of the mental health system fit together. Services can feel fragmented, with carers passed between teams or excluded from discussions despite holding important information about their loved one’s history, warning signs and support needs.
Supporting the Supporters research
We were joined by Carol, an unpaid carer and postgraduate student studying psychology and neuroscience of mental health at King’s College London.
Carol introduced her research project, Supporting the Supporters: Professional Perspectives on Integrating Informal Care into the Mental Health Ecosystem. The study explores how professionals understand the contribution made by unpaid carers, how information and support could be improved, and how carers could be more meaningfully involved alongside mental health professionals.
As part of the research, Carol is interviewing people with professional or advocacy perspectives, including psychologists, psychiatrists, GPs, commissioners, teachers, service providers and carer advocates. I have already taken part in an interview, and several forum members expressed an interest in contributing.
The discussion highlighted why it is so important for carers’ experiences to be represented in academic research. Research can help shape future policy and practice, but carers also stressed that participants should be kept informed about what happens to the findings. Too often, people share deeply personal experiences with research projects and never hear about the outcome.
I also informed members about a separate University of Oxford study exploring wellbeing and social-group attendance among people caring for someone with a serious mental illness. We hope to hear more about this opportunity at a future meeting.
Triangle of Care: more than an accreditation badge
The main presentation focused on the Triangle of Care, a framework developed by Carers Trust to improve cooperation between the person receiving mental health services, the professionals supporting them and their unpaid carer.
As facilitator, I explained that the framework should be something carers experience in practice, not simply an accreditation badge displayed by an organisation.
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust has achieved Triangle of Care Star 1 for inpatient services and Star 2 for community services. With this work now being reviewed, there is an important opportunity for carers to help examine whether the standards are making a noticeable difference across local services.
Carers should be recognised and recorded, listened to when they provide relevant information, given clear explanations about confidentiality, offered appropriate information and support, and involved at important points in care and discharge planning. Staff should also understand that carers have needs and rights of their own.
Confidentiality should not become exclusion
Confidentiality produced one of the most detailed and passionate discussions of the meeting. Several carers described situations in which confidentiality had been used to shut down communication completely.
Respecting the service user’s privacy is essential, but confidentiality does not prevent professionals from listening to a carer’s concerns. A carer may hold vital information about changes in behaviour, medication, relapse indicators, risks or what the person is like when well.
Even when professionals cannot disclose personal clinical information, they can usually provide general information about how a service works, explain how a carer can submit concerns and signpost the carer towards available support. Carers should not simply be told, “We cannot speak to you,” and then left without guidance.
Members also discussed situations where a person experiencing a serious deterioration may withdraw consent for family involvement. These cases require careful professional judgement, particularly where there may be questions about safety, insight or decision-making ability. Carers felt that staff need more confidence and training to manage these situations without automatically treating the family as a problem.
Carers were encouraged to ask whether their role has been recorded, how they can share information with the clinical team, how they will be involved in care and discharge planning, and who they can approach if their perspective is being overlooked. Where serious concerns are ignored, carers should raise them in writing so there is a clear record.
Carer involvement in discharge
The discussion then moved to hospital discharge. Carers can sometimes be contacted shortly before someone returns home, without a proper conversation about whether they are able or prepared to provide the expected support.
A safer discharge should include an early discussion with the carer about the help they can realistically offer. Information about medication, warning signs, follow-up arrangements and points of contact should be explained clearly. Professionals should not assume that a family member can take on intensive caring responsibilities simply because they are related to the person.
Carers also need to know that they can request a carer’s assessment from their local authority. An assessment can help identify the effect caring is having on their own wellbeing and what support may be needed. Existing assessments should be reviewed when circumstances or caring responsibilities change.
What carers raised during the forum
A substantial part of the meeting was led by carers sharing what they had experienced while supporting relatives through mental health services. Although everyone’s circumstances were different, many common concerns emerged across Lewisham, Lambeth, Southwark and Croydon.
Several carers described the mental health system as fragmented and difficult to navigate. Families may deal with inpatient wards, community mental health teams, crisis services, supported accommodation, GPs and social care, but these services do not always appear to communicate effectively with one another. One carer reflected that even after years of involvement, it can still be difficult to know whom to contact when a new crisis develops. This raised concerns about how much harder the system must be for people who are new to caring.
Carers also felt that decisions made at senior levels do not always reflect what happens in practice. Policies, pathways and strategies may appear clear on paper, but families can experience delays, poor communication and a lack of coordination. Members wanted more people with direct experience of using or working within mental health services to influence decisions at the highest levels.
A major concern was the failure to listen when carers report early signs of deterioration. Carers often recognise changes in sleep, behaviour, medication use, substance misuse or communication long before a situation reaches crisis point. Some members described situations in which their warnings were overlooked, only for the person’s condition to worsen later. Carers felt that their observations should be recorded and considered as part of risk assessment and relapse prevention, even when professionals cannot share confidential clinical information in return.
Confidentiality was one of the most strongly debated issues. Carers understood that people using mental health services have a right to privacy. However, they felt that confidentiality is sometimes interpreted too rigidly and used to exclude families from almost every conversation.
The group stressed that professionals can still listen to information provided by a carer. They can also explain how the service operates, receive concerns, provide general guidance and direct the carer towards support. Saying “we cannot tell you anything” should not bring all communication to an end.
Some carers described being excluded after their relative had withdrawn consent for family involvement, sometimes during a period of serious illness or limited insight. Members questioned how consent is considered when someone’s mental state or decision-making ability may be changing. They felt staff should look carefully at the individual circumstances, risks and history instead of applying confidentiality as an automatic barrier.
The inconsistency between professionals was another concern. Some staff members communicate sensitively and recognise the value of family knowledge, while others refuse even to listen. Carers felt that the quality of their involvement should not depend on which professional happens to answer the telephone. Better training, management support and accountability are needed so that good carer practice becomes consistent across services.
There was also discussion about inaccurate or outdated information remaining in health records. Carers described how an early diagnosis, allegation or misunderstanding can continue to influence future treatment long after it has been challenged. Correcting such information can be extremely difficult, yet it may affect how professionals view both the person receiving care and their family. Members wanted clearer ways to challenge inaccuracies and ensure that corrections or alternative professional opinions are properly recorded.
Carers raised concerns about attitudes towards families. While relationships can sometimes be complicated, relatives should not automatically be viewed as interfering or obstructive. Where disagreements arise, members suggested that an independent person, advocate or senior professional could help everyone understand the different perspectives. Completely blocking communication can damage family relationships and may also undermine the person’s recovery and safety.
The experiences of carers from racialised communities were also recognised. One member spoke about the fear and mistrust that can develop when Black men repeatedly come into contact with mental health services or the criminal justice system. The forum acknowledged the importance of culturally responsive services that understand how race, stigma, previous experiences and unequal treatment can affect whether families feel safe seeking help.
Hospital discharge was another prominent concern. Some carers reported being contacted too late, with an expectation that they would immediately resume significant caring responsibilities. Members felt carers should be involved early enough to discuss what support they can realistically and safely provide. They should receive clear information about medication, warning signs, follow-up arrangements and who to contact if the person’s condition deteriorates.
Carers should not be treated as an unlimited resource. Being a parent, partner, sibling or other relative does not automatically mean someone is physically, emotionally or practically able to provide the level of support being assumed. The carer’s own health, employment, family responsibilities and wellbeing must be considered during care and discharge planning.
Members also discussed the importance of carer’s assessments. Some people had received very few assessments despite caring for many years. Carers were encouraged to request an assessment from their local authority and to seek a review when their responsibilities or personal circumstances change. An assessment creates a formal record of the caring situation and may identify support needed to protect the carer’s wellbeing.
Another recurring issue was accountability. Guidance about involving carers may exist, but families are not always sure what to do when services fail to follow it. Members were encouraged to put important concerns in writing, keep records of correspondence and ask for matters to be escalated when necessary. A clear written record can become particularly important if warnings have been ignored or a serious incident later occurs.
Despite these difficult experiences, the conversation also demonstrated the strength of peer support. Carers shared knowledge, validated one another’s concerns and helped newer members understand that they were not alone. The group strongly encouraged carers not to remain isolated, even when their loved one appears relatively well. Joining a carers’ centre, peer-support group or advocacy forum can provide information and connections before another crisis occurs.
The overall message from carers was clear: they are not asking to take over clinical decisions. They are asking to be recognised as people with valuable knowledge, their own support needs and an important role in safer care. The Triangle of Care will only have meaning if carers can see and feel these principles operating in their everyday contact with services.
Turning shared experience into influence
This meeting demonstrated why independent, carer-led forums remain so important. They reduce isolation, allow newer carers to learn from those with longer experience and help identify patterns that may otherwise be dismissed as individual incidents.
Members involved in SLaM meetings and the forthcoming carers’ listening event were encouraged to raise the Triangle of Care and ask how carers will contribute to its review. I will also seek to invite representatives leading this work at SLaM to a future forum so that they can update carers directly and respond to questions.
Our next South London Mental Health Carers Forum is due to take place on Monday 28 September 2026. We will continue examining the Triangle of Care, with a stronger focus on carers’ experiences and the practical changes they want to see across mental health services.
I would like to thank everyone who attended and spoke so openly. The experiences shared were sometimes difficult, but they reinforced an important principle: carers should not have to fight simply to be recognised, heard and supported.
On Saturday, 25th April 2026, the Lewisham Independent Advisory Group (IAG) hosted its much-anticipated Black Mental Health Conference at Goldsmiths, University of London, in New Cross, London.
The event ran from 1 PM to 4 PM, bringing together community members, mental health practitioners, activists, and service users for an afternoon of learning, discussion, and networking focused on Black mental health.
Setting the Stage
Upon arrival, attendees were welcomed with a vibrant program booklet and a series of informational stalls showcasing local initiatives and mental health support services.
I hosted the “Triangle of Care / Carers UK” stall, which covered support for mental health carers and referial information for carer support.
These stalls featured a wide range of organizations including SLAM, Kawaida Therapy, Families and Communities, and Mindful Mums, providing both resources and opportunities for engagement. The atmosphere was energetic and welcoming, reflecting the conference’s mission of care, connection, and community change.
List of stall holders at the conference
Lewisham Independent Advisory Group (IAG) – SLAM PCREF & N2C pilots, community engagement initiatives.
Coco Collective – Blood pressure checks and health equity support through an Italian community clinic.
NTCG Lee – BeWell Hub – Mental health support: first aid, signposting, ethnic minority therapy referrals, DWP guidance.
London Fire Service – Provides community safety advice.
Alzheimer’s Society – Support for people with Alzheimer’s and carers, including PCREF / OA partner initiatives.
Age UK – Lewisham & MacMillan – Cancer champion services and social prescribing support (PCREF / OA partner).
IMAGO – Lewisham unpaid carers support.
Triangle of Care – Carer peer mental health support.
Occipital Growth CIC – Wellbeing pop-up services.
S.I.R.G. / Walking Men’s Group – School support and men’s mental health & wellbeing programs.
BASCA Reminiscence – Showcases reminiscence activities and cultural preservation.
Caremark Care Services – Provides care home services.
RMUK (Rastafari Movement UK) – Focused on tackling food injustice, social isolation, and health inequalities.
In One Piece – Hypnotherapy and career pathways for neurodiverse children.
South-East London Mind – Mindful Mum’s – Wellbeing group for mothers.
Lois Project Women’s Health Education Network – Women’s health education programs.
Red Ribbon Living Well Project – HIV wellbeing and support.
LBVN (Lewisham Black Voluntary Network) – Independent network of Black charitable service leaders and social entrepreneurs.
Families in Harmony – Kinship care support services.
Main conference section
The conference was opened by Lloyd Curtis, the MC for the day, who set the tone for an engaging and informative session. Following the introduction, IAG Chairs Michelle Nembhard and Stephen Lawrence presented the work of Lewisham IAG, highlighting their ongoing commitment to addressing disparities in mental health support for the Black community.
Key Sessions and Presentations
The program included several impactful sessions:
Maudsley Charity Update – Alice Casey from the Maudsley Charity delivered an overview of their programs, emphasizing community support and collaboration with local services.
SLAM Anti-Racism Training – Simone Garrison and Jide Ashimi facilitated a session on the delivery of anti-racism training within mental health services, highlighting systemic challenges and practical strategies.
Intercultural Therapeutic Services & LBVN – Beverley Weston and Susan Rowe explored intercultural approaches to therapy, focusing on culturally sensitive practices in mental health care.
A Service Users’ Journey – Katrina Desportes shared insights into the lived experiences of mental health service users, emphasizing the importance of understanding patient perspectives.
Keynote Address: Dr Malcolm Phillips – Kawaida Therapy – Dr Phillips delivered a compelling keynote, exploring strategies for supporting Black mental health, drawing on decades of experience in therapy and community engagement.
Panel Discussion – The conference concluded with a panel discussion featuring Dr Malcolm Phillips, Ade Odunlade, Katrina Desportes, Simone Garrison, Jide Ashimi, and Susan Rowe, providing a platform for dialogue and Q&A with attendees. This interactive session allowed for rich exchanges on best practices, policy challenges, and community-based solutions.
Networking and Community Engagement
After the formal sessions, the event transitioned to food and networking until 4:45 PM, providing attendees an informal space to connect with speakers, organizers, and service providers. The array of stalls allowed participants to take resources, engage with local initiatives, and explore volunteer and support opportunities.
Resources and Takeaways
Attendees left with valuable resources including:
Program booklets detailing session schedules and speaker bios.
Information on local mental health services and community organizations.
Contacts for advocacy, volunteering, and further training.
The conference highlighted the critical importance of community-driven approaches to Black mental health, emphasizing collaboration between service users, charities, and health professionals.
Absolutely! Let’s expand each key session with a more detailed, immersive narrative, based on what attendees experienced, including content, atmosphere, and insights shared. I’ll focus on the sessions you specifically attended, as reflected in the program.
The conference opened with an engaging presentation by Alice Casey from the Maudsley Charity. She provided attendees with a detailed overview of the charity’s initiatives to support mental health within the community, emphasizing collaborative approaches with local organizations.
Alice highlighted key programs, including outreach work for young Black adults, peer mentoring schemes, and community workshops aimed at reducing stigma around mental health. The presentation included personal stories from beneficiaries, which brought an emotional and relatable dimension to the discussion. Attendees appreciated the practical advice on accessing support services and the emphasis on culturally responsive care.
The room was attentive and responsive, with many participants asking thoughtful questions about how local services can be adapted to better meet the needs of diverse communities. This session set the tone for the day: action-oriented, community-centered, and deeply reflective of lived experiences.
2. SLAM Anti-Racism Training Delivery – Simone Garrison & Jide Ashimi (1:35 PM – 1:55 PM)
Next, Simone Garrison and Jide Ashimi led an interactive session on anti-racism training within mental health services. This session was highly participatory, with attendees invited to engage in discussion and reflect on their own experiences of race, discrimination, and systemic barriers.
The presenters outlined how structural racism affects mental health outcomes for Black communities and shared the SLAM model for anti-racism training. This included:
Identifying bias in clinical settings
Implementing inclusive language and practices
Encouraging allyship and peer accountability
One impactful moment was a case study exploring a young Black patient navigating mental health services. Attendees were prompted to consider interventions from multiple perspectives, sparking a dynamic discussion about equity and accessibility. Many participants noted that the session provided practical strategies for advocating within organizations, alongside the theoretical understanding of systemic inequities.
Following this, Beverley Weston and Susan Rowe from the Intercultural Therapeutic Services and Lewisham Black Voluntary Network (LBVN) presented a session focused on culturally adapted therapeutic approaches.
They emphasized the importance of recognizing cultural context in therapy, including family dynamics, faith, and community networks. Key highlights included:
Techniques for building trust with clients from diverse backgrounds
Examples of successful community-led interventions
Strategies for bridging gaps between statutory services and local Black-led organizations
The session included audience reflections on how cultural awareness can improve engagement, reduce dropouts, and foster sustainable mental health outcomes. Participants were particularly struck by the emphasis on strength-based approaches, focusing on resilience and community assets rather than deficits.
4. interview with the Interim CEO of SLAM (2:15 PM – 2:30 PM)
This session featured an interview with the Interim CEO Ade Odunlade of (South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust), who spoke about:
Organizational vision for equitable mental health services
Current initiatives addressing disparities in care for Black communities
Collaborations with local groups, including Lewisham IAG and other voluntary networks
Commitment to anti-racism training and cultural competency across SLAM services
The interview was informal but informative, giving attendees a direct perspective on how policy and leadership decisions impact service delivery, especially in Black mental health provision. Participants had the opportunity to ask questions and engage with strategic priorities, bridging high-level management insight with the practical experiences discussed in other sessions
5. A Service Users’ Journey – Katrina Desportes (2:35 PM – 2:45 PM)
Katrina Desportes delivered a deeply personal session, sharing her journey as a service user navigating mental health systems. This session was emotionally resonant, offering first-hand insights into the challenges and triumphs of accessing support as a Black individual.
Katrina spoke about the importance of empathy, clear communication, and patient-centered care, illustrating the human impact behind policies and procedures. She also highlighted barriers such as:
Misdiagnosis and underrepresentation in mental health services
The impact of stigma within families and communities
Limited culturally specific support
Attendees responded with empathy and engagement, asking questions about how systems can better integrate service user feedback and what steps can be taken to empower marginalized voices in decision-making processes.
6. Keynote Address: Dr Malcolm Phillips – Kawaida Therapy (2:55 PM – 3:30 PM)
The day’s keynote by Dr Malcolm Phillips was a highlight, delivering a rich discussion on therapeutic practices that support Black mental health. Dr Phillips drew from his extensive experience with Kawaida Therapy, emphasizing holistic, culturally grounded approaches.
Key takeaways included:
The significance of community-driven therapy models
Integrating African-centered philosophies and traditions into mental health care
Addressing intergenerational trauma and systemic inequalities in healthcare
Dr Phillips used case examples, including stories of young people and families, to illustrate practical techniques and the positive outcomes of culturally aware therapy. The audience was deeply engaged, and the session included interactive Q&A, allowing participants to explore issues like accessibility, stigma, and collaborative interventions.
The conference concluded with a dynamic panel discussion, bringing together speakers from the day to reflect on key themes. The panel tackled questions such as:
How can mental health services better serve Black communities?
What role does community advocacy play in systemic change?
How can lived experience inform service design and delivery?
Panelists emphasized intersectional approaches, acknowledging the compounding effects of race, gender, socioeconomic status, and historical inequities. The discussion was lively and reflective, providing actionable insights for both practitioners and community members.
Reflection
Attending these sessions offered a deep, multifaceted understanding of Black mental health, blending theory, practice, and lived experience. Participants left with:
Practical strategies for culturally competent care
Greater awareness of systemic barriers and solutions
Inspiration to engage with their communities and advocate for equity
The conference successfully balanced education, empowerment, and practical application, making it a landmark event for mental health advocacy in Lewisham.
Conclusion
The Lewisham IAG Black Mental Health Conference successfully combined education, advocacy, and community engagement, creating a meaningful space for dialogue and connection. The event demonstrated that supporting mental health in Black communities requires both systemic change and grassroots collaboration a mission that Lewisham IAG continues to champion.
Welcome to my March 2022 update of our SW London mental health carers forum. The group is a hybrid group of my other forums. Usually my carer forums focus on engagement and updates, but this one sometimes acts as a peer and network group for those caring for someone with mental illness.
Speakers for March 2022
Karen Persaud – SWLSTG – Carers, friends and family involvement coordinator
Gary Baker – Carers Support Worker – Richmond Mind
Antonia Buamah – Patient peer support – EMHIP– Ethnicity and Mental Health Improvement Project.
Karen from South West London & St George Presents
Karen who sometimes attends and engages with our group updated us on carer developments at the local SW London mental health trust. Karen spoke about the new carers peer support worker Zoe Hannah. The new role will be running for one year and should hopefully continue onwards.
The trust is actually really committed to pushing forward the lived experience workforce as part of their overall service delivery. This is where they have four services user peer support workers in posts. SWLSTG are also currently reviewing the trust’s carers strategy, which is quite outdated.
The new strategy will also be reflecting on the need for the trust to do more around supporting carers through their carers recovery journey, because carers go through a recovery alongside supporting loved ones through their own recovery journey. This means it is trying to balancing out wellbeing needs.
The next update for SWLSTG is there new recovery college course, which is being facilitated by Kingston adults education, college. The course has been adapted for wellbeing techniques for carers, families and friends. The course should be running for 10 weeks. Karen also updated briefly on the friends, families and carers group incase new members of our forum are interested in trust involvement.
Last updates from Karen was on the carer awareness training for staff, especially on induction for staff. This would involve carer communication skills plus carer involvement in the planning and discharge.
Gary Baker – Carers Support Worker – Richmond Mindpresents
Gary fed back on how Ricmond Mind works closely with Richmond carers regarding mental health carers. Carers can be self refered or be referred to by another professional. Once they received that referral, Richmond Mind will contact the carer. From there the carer will be given access to support and workshops.
Gary mentioned that quite a few people tend not to like the term carer and tend to prefer being called a client or the person’s relative.
Responses from carer members.
Are services at Richmond could be offered in Merton or Kingston? (quite a few members asked about the services) My question was on engagement from SWLSTG, I wondered if Richmond Mind staff have been invited to meetings. Gary talked at length regarding carer champion meetings. The next question I asked for engagement from community mental health teams. This is where Gary mentioned that there was not enough.
Antonia presents on the Ethnicity and Mental Health Improvement Project (EMHIP)
Antonia talked about how the Ethnicity and Mental Health Improvement Project (EMHIP) is an attempt to reduce inequalities in access, experience and outcome of mental health care in South West London (Wandsworth & Tooting, Battersea locality). It was developed through the leadership and activism of leaders within the African, African Caribbean, and Asian communities.
The EMHIP advocates for a practical, locally based service improvement programme, co-designed with service users and local Black and Asian communities, based on established evidence, building on existing community led, co-produced projects.
In the UK, people from the Black and Asian community are being denied equal and compassionate mental health care.
They more likely to be brought to and kept in without their consent.
They are more likely to access mental health services through the police and criminal justice systems. find themselves unwell and back again, once released, particularly men
be forcibly restrained and given more than the recommended amount of medication.
The fence of mental heath for the Black and Asian community has been broken for several generations and the many promises of repair (partial or full) has not materialised to date.
We have delved deep, hence, our toolkit EMHIP– Ethnicity and Mental Health Improvement Project.
Antonia pointed out that as a community we’ve recognised that our broken fence must be repaired once and for all and have forged collaborations and partnership with many friends
South West London CCG (CCGs are now replaced to Integrated Care Boards) South West London and St. George’s Mental Health NHS Trust Local context of Black and Asian – voluntary, faith and community groups
This can be organized via the non-profit Wandsworth Community Empowerment Network (WCEN)
The Hub offers our guests, visitors and other attendees a communal safe place to sit down, relax and have a conversation in a hospitable environment.
Service/Sessions provided:
¨ Physical Health and Wellbeing checks ¨ Citizen Advice Bureau/Housing First Aid ¨ Pastoral Systemic Therapy ¨ Mental Health and Wellbeing Out-patients type clinics ¨ Explore training or employment opportunities ¨ Promote on-going recovery ¨ Social life wellbeing ¨ Effective “active sign-posting” to the supportive local services or agencies
This was a brief update for my SW London mental health carers peer group. For the month of July SW London NHS will be engaging our group regarding SW London’s mental health strategy. I for one will hope it will include families and carers.
Welcome back to a summary of chapter 3 of my book “Experiencing mental health caregiving”
This blog focuses on my 2nd book – Experiencing mental health caregiving. The book helps raise awareness of unpaid carers providing care to someone close suffering mental illness. The book highlights the experiences of providing unpaid caring.
For Chapter 3 – “Carer befriending and peer support” I asked carers several questions, but this video will look at the first question that being “What does carer peer support mean to you?
The reason I asked such a question was down to how can carers relate to others when caring can be a private and personal experience. Do carers know they can get support from others to reduce stigma and increase carer knowledge?
Just like the videos I have done on my 2nd book, I will sum up a few responses from those regarding “Carer Befriending and peer support”.
To check out the video summary see link below
So going back to my book, chapter 3 got responses regarding carer peer support, you can see the responses below.
One carer Jacqui Darlington responded
“A carer peer is someone who can offer emotional and practical support to another carer by using their own lived experiences which may enable them to overcome barriers, challenges and fears to achieve whatever it is they may need. They may also be known as Experts by Experience .”
I not only asked knowledgeable carers, but also engaged with mental health trusts.
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust rep responded
“We train people up as peer support workers or carer peer support workers. We are now employing them in the jobs at the NHS trust. I think as a carer peer support worker, the difference between that and pure peer support worker is that the carer peer has lived experience in caring. .”
One last point – Another carer responded
“To me, carer peer means supporting a carer who may be struggling with the sometimes overwhelming difficulties experienced when caring for a loved one with mental health issues. Being there for that carer, sharing personal experiences and showing an understanding of what they are going through”
I asked 8 other questions for Chapter 3,
Have you experienced carer befriending and what did it feel like?
Where should carer peer support be located?
Do you think there is enough education on carer peer support?
Would you befriend other carers?
Is there a line or boundary to carer peer support?
Is there a difference between carer peer support and service user peers?
Why is carer peer support lagging behind?
The responses I will cover in a later video, but to sum up What does carer peer support mean to you?
I noticed that lived experience was critical to becoming a peer carer. To share your understanding and knowledge of the caring role and help those new to caring is vital in forming a connection.
if you are interested about mental health carers, you can buy my book on the link below
A Caring Mind 