Black History Month: Standing Firm in Power and Pride
This October, we celebrated Black History Month under the powerful theme: “Standing Firm in Power and Pride.” It’s a time to honour the legacy, resilience, and strength of Black communities and especially the Black carers whose dedication continues to shape lives and uplift families.
For some, caring can be an act of love and courage. For many Black carers, it’s also a reflection of deep cultural values, of community, responsibility, and unwavering support. Yet, we recognise that Black carers may face unique challenges, including navigating services that don’t always reflect their lived experiences or cultural needs.
At Carers Support West Sussex, we stand firm in our commitment to creating services and providing support that are inclusive, culturally sensitive, and empowering for all.
“Caring for my mum has taught me patience, strength, and pride in my heritage. But it’s also been isolating at times. Having support that understands my background makes all the difference.
— Angela, carer and community advocate
Inspiring Change Through Conversation and Connection
At Carers Support West Sussex, we are proud to stand in solidarity with Black communities across the county — not just during Black History Month, but throughout the year. We are committed to fostering a truly inclusive workplace where every staff member feels valued, respected, and informed.
As part of our ongoing learning and development, our October Staff Engagement Session featured guest speaker Matthew McKenzie — founder of A Caring Mind and facilitator of the National Ethnic Mental Health Carers Forum. A passionate advocate for carer voices and equity in mental health, Matthew is the author of Race, Caring and Mental Health, and brings a wealth of lived experience to his work in awareness and community engagement.
In his thought provoking session titled “Race, Inequality, and Carer Voices”, Matthew shared insights from his book and explored the impact of racism and structural inequality on carers from ethnic minority backgrounds. He spoke about the unique challenges these carers face, and why their stories must be central to improving support services.
This session was an important opportunity for reflection and education amongst our teams. It reaffirmed our organisation’s ongoing commitment to equity, representation, and creating a culture where inclusivity is not just encouraged, but embedded in everything we do.
Our Commitment to Inclusive Community Engagement
Our Community Outreach Lead was proud to represent Carers Support West Sussex at two recent events that powerfully celebrated inclusion, equity, and the voices of diverse communities.
The 2nd Annual Community Anti-Racism Conference 2025, hosted by Vivian Okeze-Tirado in partnership with Unite the Union, brought together delegates from across the South East and beyond. With a compelling keynote address, a moving lived experience panel, and practical skill-building workshops, the event offered inspiration and tangible tools for advancing anti-racism work across all sectors.
We were equally honoured to attend the Black History Month celebration hosted by Diverse Crawley at Creative Crawley’s space in County Mall. This vibrant gathering was a joyful celebration of culture and community, filled with dancing, music, poetry, and powerful storytelling. Dignitaries including MP Peter Lamb, the High Sheriff of West Sussex, and representatives from Sussex Police joined the celebration — highlighting the importance of unity and representation at every level.
Both events were powerful reminders of the strength found in diversity, and the importance of creating spaces where all voices are heard and valued. As an organisation, we are committed to listening, learning, and taking action — ensuring that inclusion, representation, and cultural awareness remain central to how we support both carers and colleagues across West Sussex.
Our continuous commitment
At Carers Support West Sussex, inclusion is not a one-off initiative — it’s a continuous commitment woven into the way we work, support, and connect with our communities. Engaging with and celebrating the diverse cultures within West Sussex is central to how we ensure every carer feels seen, valued, and heard.
As we reflect on and celebrate Black History Month, we invite you to:
• Celebrate the power, pride, and contributions of Black communities.
• Reflect on how we can better support carers from all backgrounds.
• Recognise the resilience and strength of Black carers — not just this month, but every day.
By participating in events that honour lived experiences and amplify underrepresented voices, we strengthen our understanding and our resolve to keep inclusion at the heart of all we do. Let’s honour Black History Month not only in celebration, but through action — standing together in pride and continuing to build a future where every carer, from every community, feels supported and empowered.
