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:
In this latest blog by Matthew McKenzie, writes on how to counter the rise of hate speech, xenophobia, and discrimination inspired by Trump’s rhetoric. Here in the video and blog post, people can discover basic legal, educational, and community-based approaches to protect human rights and promote inclusivity.
The video has a more indepth lecture, but parts of the video had to be cut since it went on too long. The video also has an index so people can skip to specific parts.
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 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.
Welcome to a brief update of my Lewisham mental health carer forum aimed at those caring for someone living with mental illness.
Forum update for October
Matthew Mckenzie led a meeting for mental health carers, introducing new members and discussing essential questions for service users’ care and treatment. The group explored various aspects of mental health care, including diagnosis, treatment plans, medication, legal rights, and the importance of carer involvement in the recovery process. The conversation ended with a presentation on the challenges faced by unpaid carers and a discussion on the importance of peer support and knowledge empowerment for carers navigating the mental health system.
Mental Health Carer Group Organizing
Matthew Mckenzie, who has lived experience of being a mental health carer was the group organizer. He led a meeting with various carers and professionals. Matthew introduced himself and his various groups, including one for South West London.
He also mentioned his carer website and the previous meeting’s link. Matthew then proceeded with introductions from various attendees who also are unpaid carers. Matthew then introduced Nadine, the new Lewisham Mental Health Carer’s social worker, who shared her role and responsibilities. The conversation ended with Matthew planning to present on what carers need to prepare for if they’re going to end up in a role with mental ill health.
Carer Support Worker’s Role and Plans
In the meeting, Nadine Denniss-Baker discussed her role as the new Lewisham carer’s support worker, emphasizing her commitment to understanding and addressing the needs of carers. She highlighted her involvement in various groups, including a carer’s group and carer’s champions meetings, and her plans to update and expand these initiatives. Nadine also shared her personal experiences as a carer and her professional background as an approved mental health professional. She discussed the importance of transparency and the need for better communication and collaboration between different organizations and groups. Also discussed was the potential for Nadine to attend national meetings and share best practices with other trusts. The conversation ended with a discussion on the importance of sharing good practice documents and resources to support carers and staff.
Introducing New Members and Questions
Matthew led a meeting where he introduced two new carer members group. Matthew then presented a list of essential questions for carers to ask regarding service users’ care and treatment, which he plans to blog about in the future. He also mentioned that he would record the meeting for those who couldn’t attend. The meeting was part of a carer’s forum, and Matthew emphasized the importance of carers being aware of these questions to better support their loved ones using mental health services.
Understanding Mental Health Diagnosis and Treatment
Matthew discussed the importance of understanding the diagnosis and treatment plan for a loved one’s mental health. He emphasized the need to ask about the current diagnosis, treatment plan, and the effectiveness of the treatment. Matthew also highlighted the importance of monitoring side effects and the potential for medication adjustments. He stressed the need for carers to engage with the multidisciplinary team, including primary contacts, and to inquire about the roles of specialists like occupational therapists. Matthew also mentioned the importance of understanding the medication’s purpose, dose, and potential side effects, and the need to clarify with the loved one if they can refuse medication. He concluded by emphasizing the importance of education regarding medication and mental health
Discussing Relapse and Care Plans
Matthew also highlighted the importance of asking about signs of relapse and what to do in emergencies, as these should be included in the care plan. Another member of the carer group, Faith mentioned a carer’s emergency card discussed at a recent forum, which Matthew agreed was a valuable tool. The group agreed on the need for a two-way conversation about relapse signs and for these to be recorded for quicker response times.
Carer Awareness, Training, and Rights
Matthew emphasized the importance of carer awareness and training, urging carers to ask questions and seek clarification when necessary. He also highlighted the need for carers to know their rights and how to make complaints if they’re not satisfied with the care provided. A carer suggested adding a section on how to make a complaint, which Matthew agreed to include in his future lectures. A carer stressed the importance of knowing the names of the care team and their managers to ensure effective communication and support. Matthew concluded by discussing the need for carers to understand what information can be shared with them, and the importance of obtaining consent from their loved ones to be involved in their care.
Involving Carers in Recovery Plans
Matthew discussed the importance of involving carers in the recovery plan of their loved ones, especially when they are living with them. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive care plan, which should be shared with the carer and the service user. Matthew also highlighted the importance of establishing specific goals for the service user’s mental health and social well-being. He suggested asking essential questions about the discharge plan, support after discharge, and the involvement of the community mental health team. Matthew also stressed the need for carers to understand the goals set for the service user’s recovery and to ask for practical advice on how to support their loved one. He concluded by mentioning the need for carers to know the roles and responsibilities of the care coordinator and other team members.
Challenges of Unpaid Carers in Borough
In the meeting, Matthew presented a detailed account of the challenges faced by unpaid carers in the borough, highlighting the what type of support and resources available to them. Carers discussed the need for better advertising and involvement of carers in services. A carer raised a question about encouraging carers to be more involved in services, to which Matthew responded that it’s a challenge due to the carers’ heavy workload. Matthew agreed to share his presentation in PDF format and to write a blog on the topic. Several carers expressed appreciation for Matthew’s presentation, noting that it provided a clear guide for navigating the complex network of resources and services.
Challenges of Carers and Peer Support
The carer group discussed the challenges faced by carers and the importance of peer support. A carer shared their experience of dealing with the mental health system, highlighting the lack of support and the invisibility of carers. Matthew emphasized the need for carers to be equipped with knowledge to ask specific questions during meetings to avoid being lost in the system. A carer asked another member about her experience of caring for her loved one regarding psychosis, and the carer responded by shared her journey, highlighting the importance of peer support and retaining hope. Matthew ended the conversation by encouraging the use of triangle of care and inviting everyone to attend future meetings.
Welcome to a quick update from Carer activist and Cygnet Carer network Ambassador Matthew McKenzie. As involved at cygnet, I seek to connect with families and carers whose loved ones use the services of Cygnet. It is important carers are involved to help shape services and connect with other carers to shared knowledge in a peer supportive environment.
On Thursday 24th of October was the Cygnet Staff Achievement Awards 2024. Cygnet take pride in their staff and look to celebrate and award all the work their staff do.
The massive award ceremony was held over at Edgbaston Cricket Ground Banqueting Suite, Birmingham.
As a carer it can be difficult to feel part of something special, so I was delighted be called as a judge to submit my views as a carer network Ambassador regarding what I thought was important. Cygnet wanted to thank all their staff for the hard work and dedication to their job. To many, it is more than a job, which is why Cygnet wanted to award those who have gone beyond their call of duty.
Obviously before the event, I took my time to explore Birmingham. It is such a wonderful city and people are welcoming and friendly. I almost did not want to leave, but I also looking forward to attending the award ceremony. The location for the award ceremony was an excellent choice. The venue was easy to get to and hospitality was brilliant, with excellent food and welcoming staff.
The Cygnet Staff Achievement Awards 2024 was presented by three inspirational people. The first being Carer and Actress Sally Phillips and her son Olly Bermejo.
Sally’s work as an actress is amazing starring in the following
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004) Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001) TV Comedy Series Miranda (2009)
She is also a patron of the Skylarks charity in Richmond [south-west London], which helps those with disabilities who fared much worse under austerity during the pandemic.
Next we heard from Nicolas Hamilton
An inspirational man who has made an impact in his life to change things around. He now uses what he has learned to help others. Nicolas Hamilton is a British racing driver who last competed in the 2023 British Touring Car Championship. He races with a specially-modified car due to his cerebral palsy. Hamilton is the paternal half-brother of seven-time Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton.
We then also heard from Dr Tony Romero Chief Executive of Cygnet on the importance of the award ceremony.
We then heard from David Wilmott Cygnet’s director of nursing who helped launch the award ceremony.
Awards Ceremony
There were lots of awards up for grabs as we all waiting in anticipation on who was to win for their achievements. Below is the following category list.
Care: Joy in Work Award
Respect: Inclusion & Diversity Award
Empower: Mover & Shaker Award
Trust: Helping Hand Award
Integrity: Hand on Heart Award
Delivering Service Excellence: The Showstopper Award
Innovation for the future: Game Changer Award
Support Act of the Year Award
Essential People Award: Unsung Hero
Learner of the Year Award
Bright Future Award
Swan Award
All Star Award: Service User’s Choice Award Social Care
All Star Award: Service User’s Choice Award Health Care
Social Care Service of the Year
I would like to congratulate the winners of the awards listed, but to be fair those who were nominated were also winners in my eyes. It was all about taking part and celebrating staff as a whole.
Below I have done a small video to celebrate and help promote the event. Well done everyone and good luck for next year.
Welcome back to another blog update from Carer Activist Matthew McKenzie, who also runs the National Cancer Carer forum.
As usual I raise awareness of unpaid care, but because of the forum that I run, I was invited to attend Macmillan Cancer Support Community network conference. The event took place on the 22nd of October over at Oxo Tower
Macmillan Cancer Support is one of the largest British charities and provides specialist health care, information and financial support to people affected by cancer and those who support them. The charity also looks at the social, emotional and practical impact cancer can have, and campaigns for better cancer care.
There are several Macmillan Cancer communities, I am part of the London Cancer community network. Basically The London Cancer Community is a network of people who work or live in London who are either are living with, recovering from or have recovered from cancer; their friends, family and carers, healthcare professionals, community organisations, cancer charities and initiatives.
The Cancer community conference looked to celebrate the projects from network partners, raise awareness, network and also feedback.
The overall agenda was as follows
Registration from Macmillian staff who were friendly and polite. I felt to welcome attending the event. Plus I managed to grab some healthy breakfast as I was late arriving to the conference. So it was great to be well fed. I then managed to networking and browse some stalls. I was also joined by fellow carer activist Nadia Taylor who chairs the carer charity “Carers Network”.
It was not long before we were ushered to our tables to hear about the importance of the event and the agenda for the day.
Then there were presentations from the following charities, health providers and campaigners.
Can you ‘C’ me – Croydon BME Forum The Beauty of Support and Barbers Against Prostate Cancer Samina Hussain – Sakoon Through Cancer Judith Neptial – From me to you: the art of survival Macmillan Quality of Life and Personalised Care Community Reach Programme UCLPartners and Macmillan – The Improving Cancer Journey’s Learning Programme
I spent a lot of time catching up with links to Cancer alliances as they support the group I am running, although my focus is with RM Partners who focus on South West and North West London. I also linked up with the Cancer Alliance the provides services to the North East of London.
Overall I was glad to attend this wonderful conference, it was a shame I could not stay long as I headed off to run my carer stall at Queen Elizabeth Hospital over in Greenwich. I often get visitors to the hospital seeking advice and information due to caring for someone with cancer.
My final thoughts on the event was on the amount of hard work to put the conference together. The conference felt like it was forming a community of those who did all they can to support the health of the community. I cannot wait till the next conference.
Please check out Macmillan Cancer Support community network newsletter below.
Welcome back to another blog post from carer activist Matthew McKenzie. I am involved in quite a few things to raise awareness of unpaid mental health carers. One of them is Carers Trusts Triangle of Care Framework.
Triangle of Care is a framework developed to improve collaboration between mental health services, service users (patients), and carers. It was created by the Carers Trust in the UK, focusing on involving carers (family members or friends who support individuals with mental health issues) in care and treatment decisions, while ensuring they receive the support and recognition they need.
We have many mental health trusts who are members of the Triangle of Care. One of them is Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust or AWP for short.
Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP) is the lead provider of healthcare for people with serious mental illness, learning disabilities and autism across Bath and North East Somerset (BaNES), Swindon and Wiltshire, and Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
With support from Laura Sheridan who leads on carers at Cygnet. We both attended and supported the event at the mental health partnership trust. I took the time to explore the wonderful area of Bristol. Everyone I met was welcoming and friendly.
AWP have taken up the challenge to implement the Triangle of care and listen to carers. One of the best ways to listen to carers is through engagement and celebration events.
So on Thursday 3rd of October Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP) ran their #LetsHearCarers event. The event was held over at Somerdale Pavilion, Keynsham.
The day started off with a welcome from Sarah Jones, Director of Nursing and Quality at AWP.
We then got to hear from Ayesha Ahmed-Mendoza on the Black2Nature campaign to enable minorty ethnic children to have better access to nature camps. Next I was impressed with the presentation from Elaine Bennett regarding experiences of deaf carers.
Then we had the panel of carers giving their experiences of involvement at the NHS trust. I personally feel involvement of carers shaping services is a powerful way of allowing carers to have their say.
After the break, we got to hear from Debbie Hustings who is the new Triangle of Care lead for Carers Trust. Debbie used to be the former NHS England carers lead for London and has a wealth of experience when it comes to unpaid carers. Debbie presented on carers rights as she presented with her carers hat on. Next there was a comedy session from Angie Betcher who is a comedian at Bristol university, she is also skilled as a poet as well as a comedy performer.
Next was Lunch and workshops to cater for the wellbeing of carers who attended.
Have lunch I was up to read out 2 poems. One of the poems you can see from Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust’s video of the carer event below.
After more performances and networking with carers, I headed home. I would like to thank Avon and Whiltshire for the excellent event they put on for the community. Everything was planned brilliantly and I did not hear any grumbling from carers. I look forward to more events in future.
A Caring Mind 