On Monday 5 October 2026 at the ORTUS, I shared my carer story at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust’s staff induction. I attended as a carer member of SUITE — Service User and Carer Involvement in Training and Education, managed by Angela Mitchell. The presentation was warmly received, and I was particularly pleased that my poetry video connected with staff.
I spoke about caring for my mother, who lived with schizophrenia, and my continuing role supporting my brothers. I reflected on the uncertainty of becoming a carer, the responsibilities that followed, and the difference it made when someone listened, explained things and recognised my own support needs. My message to staff was simple: carers bring knowledge, relationships and experience that deserve to be heard.
I also presented my award-winning photograph, “The Carer They Didn’t See,” which received a DUALITY photography award in 2026. The image shows my mother’s coat and shawl on a chair, while my own chair sits partly outside the frame. It reflects how unpaid carers can be constantly present in someone’s care, yet remain almost invisible to services.
Alongside the photograph, I shared my poetry video of the same name:
Watch “The Carer They Didn’t See” on YouTube
For me, staff induction is an important place for these conversations. It is where new colleagues begin learning about a trust’s values and how those values should shape everyday practice. Hearing directly from service users and carers brings a human perspective to that learning: what it feels like to receive care, support someone through distress, or struggle to be included.
Service users and carers offer distinct perspectives, and both deserve space. Their stories can encourage staff to reflect on how they listen, communicate and involve people from their very first day.
Thank you to Angela and the SUITE team for making room for my contribution. I hope the photograph, story and poem leave staff with one question to carry into their work: What could I do to help someone feel seen, heard and included?
By Matthew McKenzie – Chair of the Greenwich MH carers forum
The forum continues to provide a safe space for carers to receive updates, influence local services and learn about developments that affect both carers and the people they support.
This month’s forum focused on three important themes:
New support available for carers through the Greenwich Mental Health Hub.
Major reforms to the Mental Health Act and what they mean for carers.
Why unpaid carers must continue to have a voice in shaping local mental health services.
New Mental Health Support for Carers
We were pleased to welcome Jana, Mental Health Carers Advisor from the Greenwich Mental Health Hub, who introduced a relatively new service specifically supporting carers experiencing their own mental health difficulties.
Many carers spend years putting someone else’s wellbeing first while their own emotional health suffers. Stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, loneliness and exhaustion are common experiences among unpaid carers. The Mental Health Hub aims to provide early support before these issues become more severe.
The service accepts referrals primarily through GPs and offers:
Individual mental health assessments
Short-term personalised support
Advice on carers’ rights
Signposting to benefits, housing and community organisations
Emotional wellbeing support
Practical coping strategies
Access to peer support groups
Support can be delivered face-to-face, online or by telephone, making it more accessible for carers with demanding caring responsibilities.
One particularly welcome development is the dedicated carers’ drop-in sessions, which are open even to carers who have not been referred into the Hub. These sessions provide opportunities to discuss issues such as:
Sleep difficulties
Self-care
Stress management
Accessing local services
Benefits advice
Carers’ Assessments
Meeting other carers facing similar challenges
As carers repeatedly tell us, simply speaking with someone who understands the realities of caring can make an enormous difference.
Carers Continue to Raise Important Gaps
One of the strengths of the forum is that carers are able to raise concerns directly with professionals.
During the discussion several important issues were highlighted.
Many carers continue to experience difficulties navigating complex mental health systems and understanding their rights.
Questions were raised about the lack of specialist advocacy for mental health carers in Greenwich. While support and signposting are available, carers discussed how independent advocacy can be invaluable when attending meetings, challenging decisions or ensuring their voice is properly heard during difficult situations.
The discussion recognised that navigating the Mental Health Act, hospital admissions and care planning can be overwhelming, particularly for new carers who may have little understanding of the legal processes involved.
These conversations reinforce why forums like this remain so important. They allow carers to identify gaps in services while helping organisations understand where further improvements are needed.
Understanding the New Mental Health Act
A major part of the forum explored the forthcoming reforms to the Mental Health Act.
Although the original Mental Health Act dates back to 1983, significant reforms have now received Royal Assent and will gradually be introduced over the coming years.
These reforms aim to create a more person-centred approach by strengthening:
Choice and control
Therapeutic benefit
Least restrictive care
Respect for individual dignity
For unpaid carers, these reforms are particularly significant because they affect how decisions are made when someone is detained for assessment or treatment under the Mental Health Act.
Universal Care Plans and Care Contingency Planning
The forum also introduced another important development currently being rolled out across London: the Universal Care Plan.
This digital record allows important information about both carers and the person they support to be shared appropriately across health and care services.
For carers, this can help:
Ensure professionals know who provides care.
Reduce the need to repeat information.
Improve emergency planning.
Support continuity of care.
Make carers more visible within NHS systems.
Alongside this sits the Care Contingency Plan, which records what should happen if a carer suddenly becomes unable to provide support due to illness or an emergency.
Many carers have never considered what would happen if they themselves became unwell. Having a contingency plan can prevent crises and ensure continuity of care for vulnerable people.
Local Updates
Greenwich Carers Centre also shared news of a new partnership with the South East London Cancer Alliance. I will be involved regarding my Cancer Caregiver group
The project will establish local peer support opportunities for carers and people affected by cancer, alongside awareness events covering issues such as breast cancer, prostate cancer and wider health and wellbeing topics.
Further information will be shared by Greenwich Carers Centre over the coming months.
Looking Ahead
The Greenwich Mental Health Carers Forum continues to demonstrate why unpaid carers need opportunities to come together.
The discussions during this meeting highlighted both the progress being made and the challenges that remain. Carers continue to advocate for better information, stronger involvement in care planning, improved advocacy services and clearer communication from health professionals.
As the Mental Health Act reforms begin to take shape over the coming years, carers will play an increasingly important role in ensuring these changes lead to meaningful improvements for both carers and the people they support.
If you were unable to attend this forum, we hope this summary has helped keep you informed. We encourage all unpaid mental health carers to join future meetings, share their experiences and help shape the services that support carers across Greenwich.
On a brisk November afternoon, unpaid mental health carers across Greenwich gathered once again, not just to share experiences, but to seek answers, influence services, and strengthen community. Facilitated by long-time carer advocate Matthew McKenzie, the forum brought together carers, relatives, professionals, and two guest speakers from Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust.
As I explained when opening the meeting, the purpose of the forum is twofold connection and influence:
November’s session featured two speakers:
✅ Speaker 1 — Lorraine Regan
Director for Community Mental Health, Learning Disabilities & Autism, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
✅ Speaker 2 — Janice Williamson
Carer Involvement Lead, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
Both provided insight into service pressures, carer involvement, policy development, training, assessments, and support improvements happening across the trust.
Speaker Introduction — Lorraine Regan
Lorraine opened by introducing her background and role:
Why Unpaid Carers Should Connect with Other Carers
Unpaid carers play an essential role in society, often providing support to loved ones with long-term illnesses, both physical and mental. However, the journey of caregiving can be challenging and isolating, making it crucial for carers to connect with others in similar roles. Establishing these connections can provide numerous benefits, including emotional support, practical advice, and a sense of community. In this blog by Matthew McKenzie, we will explore the reasons why unpaid carers should connect with other carers, structured around several key areas: emotional support, reducing isolation, accessing resources, practical advice, and mutual support for self-care.
If you want to watch the 20 minute in depth lecture, the click the video below.
Welcome to another blog post from Matthew McKenzie (who runs the London Cancer carer group) advocating for cervical cancer awareness, prevention, and support in 2025. In this blog you can learn about screenings, HPV vaccinations, and the crucial role of caregivers in the fight against cervical cancer.
To watch the 3 minute Cervical Cancer Awareness Month 2025 video, please click below.
Welcome to another blog post by Carer Activist Matthew McKenzie. This blog and video is from my lived experience caring for a close relative and also supporting my brothers.
To watch the video lecture, please click below.
The holiday season is a time filled with joy, celebration, and connection. However, for unpaid carers, it can also be a period laden with stress, isolation, and heightened responsibilities.
Welcome to another blog by Matthew McKenzie Carer activist. As a lived experienced member of the Race Equality Foundation. I am proud to present an exciting project that seeks to address the inequalities in health.
The London Anti-Racism Collaboration for Health (LARCH) have launched a new tool to help health and care organisations tackle systemic racial health inequalities.
The Race Equity Maturity Index (REMI) is the first framework of its kind, allowing organisations to track, measure and enhance their anti-racist activities using an evidence-based approach.
The REMI was designed with people and communities from across London, reflecting the diversity of both London’s population and its health and care workforce.
The REMI is intended to help all the parts of the health and care ecosystem meaningfully address the inequalities faced by Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic Londoners, which include:
Using the REMI, organisations can self-assess their progress in tackling these inequalities. The tool uses measurable indicators to categorise organisations into one of six stages of racial maturity, with clear pathways for progression between each stage.
Tackling Cancer Health Inequalities in Patients with Serious Mental Illness
Addressing health disparities, especially for patients with serious mental illness (SMI), is crucial in improving cancer treatment outcomes. This post by Matthew Mckenzie who facilitates the National cancer carer forum explores the multifaceted challenges faced by this vulnerable group and the necessary steps to tackle these inequalities.
To watch the video regarding Cancer and Serious Mental Illness, please click below.
Before continuing with the post, South East London Cancer Alliance. have just released their Cancer And Serious Mental Illness Information Resource. These have been co-created by SELCA, South London & Maudsley and the HIN, while working closely with people with lived experience of cancer and serious mental illnesses. You can visit and see the resources here: https://www.selca.nhs.uk/patients-and-carers/cancer-and-serious-mental-illness
The following sections might be of particular interest as they focus on cancer risks and screening.
Welcome back to another Carer Champion interview. Carers play an essential role in our society, often operating behind the scenes and without pay. In this interview, we meet Maz, a volunteer with Carers UK, who sheds light on the nature of unpaid care work, the challenges carers face, and the significant support networks available for them. Let’s dive into her invaluable insights.
To watch the video, please click play on the video below.
The Hidden Army of Carers
Maz describes unpaid carers as a “hidden army” that tirelessly provides care for loved ones, often without much recognition or support. Unlike professional care workers who are trained and compensated for their services, unpaid carers usually step into the role out of necessity and affection for those they care for. Maz herself is an example of a “sandwich carer,” a term used for someone who cares for both their elderly parents and their adult children.
Living with Parkinson’s disease is undeniably challenging, not just for those diagnosed but also for those who support them. During a recent panel discussion from Parkinsons UK, experience of care experts including Matthew McKenzie and volunteers shared their insights and experiences on managing these challenges, offering valuable advice for fellow caregivers. The discussion highlighted key aspects of being on the supporters journey, from communicating diagnoses to seeking support and handling medication concerns. Here, we summarize the essential points covered during the session for a comprehensive guide.
Parkinson’s UK is a leading charity dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by Parkinson’s disease in the United Kingdom. Established in 1969, the organization provides vital support, information, and resources to individuals living with the condition, as well as their families and caregivers. Parkinson’s UK also funds groundbreaking research aimed at finding better treatments and ultimately a cure for the disease.
Parkinson’s UK held a Panel interview to highlight and educate those who are new to the caring role and want to find out more about supporting someone with Parkinsons. Below is a small summary of the panel interview, although if you want to watch the Panel discussion, please click on the video below.
