Together delivers service to support Black carers in Southwark

The service continues Together’s partnership working with Southwark Council and seeks to understand the unique challenges faced by Black carers creating a safe, inclusive space where their voices are heard, and experiences are validated.

Through culturally sensitive programs, creative workshops, and holistic support, the team aims to empower carers to prioritise their wellbeing while building connections within the community. The mission of the service is to celebrate and uplift Black carers, ensuring they receive the resources, recognition, and support they deserve building a community that cares for those who care.

The service runs three different group workshops on an ongoing basis with a vision of building a network of black carers to offer a space to promote wellbeing, provide support and allowing time for creativity. Those workshops are available to unpaid black carers who live and are registered in the borough of Southwark.

The first workshop is focussed on Black art and participants will have the opportunity to express themselves creatively, finding solace in crafting which boosts wellbeing whilst being part of a supportive community. Black Dialogue Therapy is delivered in partnership with the USEMI Racial Trauma Clinic which offers specialist psychotherapy provision for people of colour. The final workshop is a meditation class which aims to reduce stress and help people stay grounded helping them on a journey towards mental clarity.

Black Carers Project Southwark strives to strengthen resilience and wellbeing amongst black carers while also raising awareness and increasing the use of preventative physical and mental health interventions. The team’s aim is to improve access to community-based support in the borough to reduce social isolation and empower people building capacity and resources in the BAME voluntary sector.

On the Black Carers Project Southwark, Director of Operations and Quality at Together Emma Edwards said:

“We’re proud and excited to continue to develop and diversify the ways that we support people in the community in Southwark in partnership with Southwark Council and to work alongside a hugely important group of people in society. We’ve seen that pressures on carers have been increasing with factors like population ageing, increasing pension age, and shrinking health and social service budgets. That is more pronounced for Black carers, who often work longer unpaid hours, are more likely to live in poor health and face additional difficulties as they care. Our service seeks to provide culturally appropriate support and learn from the lived experiences of the individuals the team work alongside.”