Mind’s Up My Street programme ran between June 2015 and June 2017 and engaged with 298 African Caribbean boys and young men and 501 community members. Up My Street’s main aim was to develop and pilot approaches that could reduce the number of young African Caribbean men in inpatient mental health services.
We worked with organisations that support young African Caribbean men, to help build people’s resilience and address the factors that could put people at risk of mental health problems. We also built links to enable the wider community to support the mental health needs of young people more effectively.
The programme was evaluated by the Centre for Mental Health and was found to improve participants’ wellbeing.
300 Voices is an engagement model developed by Time to Change. It was designed to improve the poor experiences that young African and Caribbean men have encountered historically, and continue to face, when using mental health services and coming into contact with the police and other front-line service providers.
Whilst supporting attitude and behaviour change among professionals, 300 Voices addressed some of the fear and mistrust that exist between young African and Caribbean men and professionals.
Outcome is a client-led LGBTQ+ service that has been run by a lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans team for 15 years. It’s one of the few LGBTQ+ mental health services in London.
Their main aim is to provide a sanctuary for LGBTQ+ people – somewhere safe where they can be themselves. This includes socialising free from discrimination, receiving therapies to improve their mental health, learning new skills and acquiring knowledge to improve their quality of life.
Their guiding principles are:
To treat each other with respect, fairness and consideration
to be mindful of our individual needs – we are all different but equal
to have a safe environment where we can be ourselves and not be judged.
They currently offer the following specialist services:
A project supported by Mind and Lloyds Bank Foundation, assisting LGBTQ+ asylum seekers and refugees with their transition to a newly “out” LGBTQ+ life. They offer opportunities for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers and refugees to socialise, share experiences and make friends.
People can also take part or facilitate peer-support groups and be active in working together to tackle their specific complex and challenging issues.
As well as group support the project offers a personalised individual programme to ensure LGBTQ+ asylum seekers and refugees have access to information and advice. For example, they can get advice on statutory, voluntary and community services/resources, welfare benefits and suitable housing solutions.
The service also offers a drop-in session providing the opportunity to meet and socialise with others in a safe, therapeutic environment.
A service aimed at supporting lesbian, bisexual and trans women who experience domestic violence.
The service offers sessions including a creative writing group, a singing group, free drop-in art sessions, a cooking group and peer-facilitated yoga. The service also offers a number of peer support groups, including a LBT Women Only Space, a men’s group and Mind Scape –part of the London Paranoia and Beliefs Network. There is also an alternative therapies clinic, offering head and shoulders massages and a psychotherapy service.
The service networks with other LGBTQ+ groups and service providers to raise awareness about the specific needs of LGBTQ+ people who experience mental distress. They invite speakers to help empower clients on issues such as combating homophobia, accessing housing, welfare and training support, safer sex, cooking and nutrition and managing debt.