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.
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.
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.
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 – 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.
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.
Post By Matthew McKenzie – National Cancer Carer forum
For people living with a serious mental illness (SMI) such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or psychosis, cancer remains one of the leading causes of premature death. In South East London, lung cancer is particularly devastating, with mortality rates highest among this group.
But there’s good news: projects are now underway to change this. Click on poster for more details
Why this matters
Early detection can make all the difference in lung cancer outcomes. Yet too often, people with SMI face additional challenges in accessing screening, diagnosis, and treatment pathways. These barriers can delay care, reduce treatment effectiveness, and ultimately cost lives.
That’s why the South East London Cancer Alliance has partnered with the Woolwich Service Users Project (WSUP) to hear directly from service users about their experiences. The aim is simple but powerful: understand what stands in the way and build solutions that ensure fair and timely cancer care for everyone.
How you can get involved
If you:
Are over 18,
Have a diagnosed serious mental illness,
Have a history of smoking,
Live in South East London (Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham, or Southwark),
then your voice could make a real difference.
You may have been referred for lung cancer screening, diagnosed with lung cancer, or spoken to your GP about persistent symptoms like a cough or shortness of breath. Whatever your experience, sharing it can help shape future services.
What to expect
Focus groups (online or in-person in Woolwich) lasting about 90 minutes.
A safe, supportive space to share your experiences with up to five other participants.
Reimbursement for your time (£20–£30 depending on the session) plus refreshments at in-person events.
Confidentiality and anonymity are guaranteed.
When and where
Focus groups will run September – October 2025.
Online via Microsoft Teams.
In person at Woolwich Service Users Project, 107 Brookhill Road, SE18 6BJ.
Deadline to register: 10th October 2025 (but get in touch even if you miss it—support is flexible).
Together we can change the story
Every voice matters. By sharing your experiences, you can help break down barriers to early lung cancer diagnosis and ensure better care for people with serious mental illness.
Because when it comes to cancer care, no one should be left behind.
Would you like me to make this blog more community-facing (warm, story-driven, with lived-experience language) or more professional-facing (for healthcare partners and stakeholders)?
A Caring Mind 