In a powerful gathering that brought together over 40 parents, carers, community leaders, and professionals, Afrikindness—working in partnership with Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service (LMWS) and Touchstone—held a series of deeply impactful mental health focus groups across the LS7 and LS8 communities.
Sponsored by ChangeX, the sessions created a rare and meaningful space where families could safely express their struggles, share lived experiences, and contribute directly to shaping the mental health support they desperately need.
For many parents, it was the first time they felt truly heard.
“I finally felt seen.” — A Parent’s Voice
One parent shared, “This was the first time I sat in a room where people genuinely understood our struggles. I finally felt seen. We need more of this — more safe spaces where we can talk without fear of judgement.”
A volunteer described the session as “a breath of fresh air”, adding, “There is so much stigma around mental health in our community. Today gave us the courage to speak openly, and it showed that we’re not alone.”
These heartfelt reflections are testament to the importance of culturally sensitive, community-led engagement.
Why These Focus Groups Matter
The initiative was launched to address a growing need: families face significant barriers when trying to access mental health support—from cultural stigma and language barriers to financial hardship and lack of awareness.
The focus groups were designed with seven key objectives:
1. Amplify Community Voices
To provide a safe and inclusive platform where families could openly share their lived experiences of mental health and wellbeing. For many, the session felt like the first opportunity to tell their stories.
2. Understand Barriers
Parents spoke passionately about the challenges they face—from not knowing where to seek help, to stigma preventing them from reaching out, to feeling misunderstood by professionals unfamiliar with their cultures.
3. Promote Mental Health Awareness
The discussions helped reduce stigma and encouraged open conversations around anxiety, stress, parenting pressures, and emotional wellbeing.
4. Inform Service Design
Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service and Touchstone will use these insights to shape more culturally responsive, accessible, and community-rooted mental health support.
5. Strengthen Support Networks
Many parents noted that simply meeting others with similar experiences gave them a renewed sense of hope.
“I didn’t realise how many families felt the same way I did. Today reminded me that community is powerful.”
6. Empower Families
Participants left with practical knowledge, confidence to recognise early signs of emotional distress, and the reassurance that support is available.
7. Build Long-term Collaboration
The focus groups established a foundation for ongoing collaboration between Afrikindness, mental health providers, and community leaders—ensuring future services are co-designed, meaningful, and sustainable.
Impact Summary
- 35+ community members engaged across LS7, LS8 & LS9
- High participation with open discussions and shared testimonies
- Greater mental health awareness and reduced stigma reported
- New relationships formed between families and mental health providers
- Trust strengthened between communities and local services
- Rich, actionable insights to shape service design
- Families empowered to seek support and talk openly
- Momentum created for long-term collaboration
The impact was immediate and profound—many parents requested that the sessions continue throughout the year and extend to other communities.
“Please don’t let this be the last time.” — Parent
Another attendee shared:
“If we had more spaces like this, so many crises could be prevented. Please don’t let this be the last time. Our community needs this more than ever.”
This sentiment was echoed by several families who described the focus group as “life-changing,” “relieving,” and “hope-restoring.”
Looking Ahead: A Community-Led Movement
Afrikindness remains committed to advocating for families who are often unheard, unseen, and unsupported.
By working hand-in-hand with Leeds Mental Wellbeing Services, Touchstone, and community partners, we are ensuring that mental health conversations—and the services that follow—truly reflect the voices and needs of the people they are meant to serve.
These focus groups were not just discussions, they were a call to action, a moment of healing, and the beginning of a stronger, more inclusive mental health movement in Leeds.
