Statement of Purpose

CultureMindsUK is a dedicated community interest organisation focused on improving the mental health and wellbeing of men in Wales and England, particularly those from ethnic minorities, vulnerable, and underrepresented groups. Our mission is to address the unique challenges faced by these communities and to promote mental health awareness and support.
We aim to:- Develop and implement educational programmes specifically tailored to raise awareness about mental health issues among African men across Wales and England, addressing cultural nuances and challenges.
- Improve accessibility and affordability of mental health services for African men, ensuring they can receive timely and culturally sensitive support.
- Enhance cultural competency among mental health professionals, equipping them to understand and engage more effectively with ethnic minority communities, fostering trust and positive outcomes.
- Challenge cultural taboos and reduce the stigma surrounding vulnerability and seeking help for mental health issues, particularly within ethnic minority communities. By fostering open conversations, we aim to dismantle the barriers that prevent individuals from seeking support.
- Empower young people and community leaders to become advocates for mental health awareness, creating a ripple effect within their networks to encourage help-seeking behaviors and raise awareness about available resources.
Mental health for men, women, and young persons
- Equal opportunities
- Health and wellbeing
- Human rights
- Community support
- Support for the elderly
- Career development
- Children and young people
- Education
- Diversity and inclusion
- Religion

Engagements
Engaging African men, children, and community leaders in the CultureMindsUK project requires a culturally sensitive, community-based approach that fosters trust, relevance, and inclusivity. Here’s our strategy to effectively reach and involve these groups:
- Collaborate with African community organisations: Partner with local African community groups, churches, mosques, and cultural organisations to promote CultureMindsUK’s mission and activities.
- Engage respected community leaders: Identify and connect with influential figures such as religious leaders, elders, and respected professionals to serve as advocates or ambassadors for the project. They can encourage men and children to get involved by sharing the benefits of mental health support.
- Attend community events and festivals: Host informational sessions or sponsor community events that cater to African men and families. Presence at cultural festivals, sporting events, and gatherings creates visibility and fosters initial engagement.
- Culturally relevant campaigns: Develop mental health awareness materials that address the specific cultural beliefs, concerns, and experiences of African communities. For example, using storytelling or testimonials from
- African men who have benefitted from mental health services could be highly impactful.
- Address cultural taboos head-on: Create campaigns that directly address mental health stigmas and encourage open conversations about vulnerability and seeking help, normalising these topics in the community.
- Utilise multiple languages: Where applicable, offer resources and communication in native languages (e.g., Swahili, Yoruba, Somali), which helps to reach a broader audience, particularly older men or leaders.
- Educational programmes for young people: Design workshops or seminars in schools and community centres aimed at children and youth from African backgrounds, promoting mental health literacy from an early age. Engage parents by highlighting how these programmes benefit both children and the family’s wellbeing.
- Involve families in mental health discussions: Offer family-focused activities that encourage intergenerational dialogue about mental health. Use community leaders to facilitate these discussions, helping families navigate challenges around mental health together.
- Peer mentoring programmes: Introduce peer mentoring where older youth or young adults from the community can act as mentors for younger children. This strengthens networks and helps spread mental health awareness through trusted figures.
- Empower community leaders: Offer training and workshops for community leaders to improve their mental health awareness and cultural competency. These leaders can act as conduits between the community and mental health services, sharing insights and advocating for participation in CultureMindsUK’s programmes.
- Highlight positive role models: Showcase success stories of African men and leaders who have addressed mental health issues and thrived. This helps dismantle stereotypes and offers real examples of the benefits of seeking support.
- Mobile and pop-up mental health services: Bring services closer to communities by setting up temporary clinics, mobile units, or “mental health hubs” in local areas where African men gather, such as community centres, churches, or mosques.
- Subsidised or free services: Where affordability is an issue, offering free or reduced-cost mental health services can eliminate a barrier to engagement, ensuring that everyone has access to support regardless of their financial status.
- Co-design programmes with community members: Involve African men, children, and leaders in the planning and design of CultureMindsUK’s projects. Conduct focus groups and listening sessions to ensure the services meet the community’s needs.
- Create advisory boards: Set up a community advisory board comprised of African men and leaders who can provide ongoing input and feedback on the project’s direction and impact. This fosters ownership and deeper commitment.
- Targeted social media campaigns: Use platforms popular with African communities (e.g., WhatsApp, Facebook) to share information, host live mental health talks, and promote CultureMindsUK initiatives.
- Online mental health resources: Develop an online hub with articles, videos, and mental health tips specifically tailored for African men and youth. Offering culturally appropriate online resources helps extend the project’s reach
- Celebrate cultural identity: Incorporate elements of African heritage, pride, and identity in all aspects of CultureMindsUK’s programmes, recognising that strong cultural ties can be a source of strength and resilience.
- Recognise community leaders: Hold annual awards or events that celebrate the contributions of African men and leaders to mental health advocacy within their communities. Publicly recognising their efforts can inspire others to get involved.