Since the 1950’s Lambeth has been home to the UK’s biggest Black community with people of African and Caribbean origin, making valuable and sustained contributions to the cultural and economic life of the UK. Despite these successes, Lambeth continues to be a borough faced with growing socio-economic inequality which disproportionately affects Black African and Caribbean people. There is evidence to suggest that exposure to the stressors linked to these inequalities negatively impacts one’s physical health and mental wellbeing. 

Black Thrive is a partnership between communities, statutory organisations, voluntary and private sector. They work together to reduce the inequality and injustices experienced by Black people in mental health services. They address the barriers which lead to poorer outcomes across a range of social factors, such as education, employment, housing, and so on, all of which may negatively impact one’s health and wellbeing.

The partnership is supported by a Facilitation Team who help to guide the vision for the work. They ensure that activities reflect the views of people who are affected by mental health inequalities and that resources are well-coordinated and complementary. They do not provide services, but support changes within the system by connecting people and organisations. They create opportunities for the NHS, local council, police and the voluntary sector to work with communities and they also work to make sure change happens within the centre of these institutions and is sustained in the long-term. 

For more information about Black Thrive or to donate, visit their website at www.blackthrive.org.uk

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