Over the last 50 years research has repeatedly shown that in the UK, Black and minority ethnic communities have been disproportionately impacted by adverse experiences and negative outcomes within mental health care compared to other ethnic groups. (The Race Equality Foundation’s Mental Health briefing paper 2021).
At Johnson & Johnson UK, we are committed to working with, and learning from, our partner organisations to leverage our joint expertise, and help address mental and racial health inequity in the UK.
In 2022, we partnered with three organisations that specialise in developing and delivering culturally competent and broad access healthcare solutions to under-resourced populations, to empower systemic change in the UK. These organisations are jointly funded by the Johnson & Johnson Global Community Impact Health Equity Fund and Johnson & Johnson UK operating companies.
Our partners
Power the Fight
Power the Fight is an award-winning charity which tackles violence affecting young people by developing culturally sensitive therapeutic services to strengthen individual and collective mental health. The Johnson & Johnson Health Equity Funding will be used to expand their Therapeutic Intervention for Peace programme to help improve cultural competency in services for young people at risk of violence in London and beyond; partnering with schools, NHS and local authorities.
Social Action for Health
Social Action for Health is a community-based health charity providing free services and support to people most affected by health inequalities in east London. Their programmes and services are delivered in an accessible, sensitive, and culturally appropriate way, often in community languages and facilitated by ‘experts-by-experience’ from the local community. The funding will enable Social Action for Health to research the mental health needs of men from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities, including their access to culturally appropriate mental health care interventions, and provide tailored services to address the priorities highlighted by the community.
UnLtd
UnLtd supports social entrepreneurs across the UK who are changing society for the better. The Johnson & Johnson funding will help grow social ventures that are creating preventative healthcare interventions and health access for older adults with a focus on Black, Asian and minority ethnic entrepreneurs and those that serve Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. One entrepreneur who has already received funding is Maaha Suleiman, founder of Care Matched; a tech company which provides care organisations with a platform to deliver culturally matched care; allowing people to age with dignity and live the rest of their lives more comfortably, with a focus on people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.
We believe that by working together with our trusted partners we can help to drive change and create a more just and equitable health system for all.
