AFRIDAC received the Better Mental Health Programme grant

AFRIDAC is happy to announce we received the Better Mental Health Programme grant from Hackney Giving (https://lnkd.in/eX7SPGje) and MIND in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest (https://lnkd.in/eUy_frra). Our ANAGO project will support African and Caribbean residents in Hackney and address gaps in the provision of culturally appropriate mental health service.

The funding will help us expand on the activities of the African Men Safe Space (AMSS) and create a group to support African and Caribbean women in Hackney. The project will support 40 adult African and Caribbean men and women in Hackney to access culturally appropriate services and activities to support their mental wellbeing.

The African Men Safe Space (AMSS) was created in November 2020 in Hackney, as a safe space where Black African and Caribbean men meet to discuss issues bothering them without feeling pressured. All topics are allowed including sports, family, politics, work, marriage, anxiety, depression, stress, self-esteem, confidence, culture, religion, belief, and discrimination with an opportunity to network, socialise, and support one another in a comfortable non-judgmental environment. AMSS have supported 23 men to gain confidence in speaking about mental health issues. 80% have improved their self-esteem and confidence to deal with challenging issues. 35% returned to the workforce; 60% have become co-facilitators of services because of significant improvement in confidence and presentation. Wider impact includes improve interaction with immediate family members and local community groups.