The Akwaaba Ayeh Project was originally known as The Mental Health Shop and operated under the latter name up until end 2003.  Akwaaba Ayeh basically means, “Welcome”. 

The Akwaaba Ayeh Project (Akwaaba Ayeh) began life way back in 1986 as a fledgling un-funded voluntary steering group operating under the name of the Black Mental Health Group Resource Centre (The Group).  The term “black” refers to people of African, African Caribbean and South Asian origin.  It is important at this point to emphasise the intention was not to dissolve real differences between peoples birth origins but to highlight there common experience of racism in British Society – especially in relation to the provision of mental health services and social care. The Group consisted of professional workers from the health and social care field, University Lecturers, local people and voluntary sector paid workers from the Highfields and wider area of Leicester. One of the reasons all these differently experienced people came together was due to their concern over the well being of black people using mental health services and the need to advocate those concerns to mental health and social care statutory providers. Initially, The Group, on a voluntary basis, gave advice, information and general support to people of African, African Caribbean and South Asian and their carers using mental health services on their rights and entitlements as mental health service users. The anecdotal experience of black people using mental health services informed The Group that black people were being less favourably provided for within the mental health and social care systems.  That is, mental health and social care services failure to recognise and provide appropriate services to meet the diverse needs of service users and on, over- representation of black compulsorily detained patients under the Mental Health Act (1983).

In 1986, to test The Group’s perceptions, University of Leicester funded research to look at Black peoples experiences of using mental health services.  It took approximately 3 years to conclude the research. The research was titled “Sadness in my Heart”. A title expressing the pain experienced by one black mental health service user. “Sadness in my Heart” was launched in 1989 and hailed as “ground breaking” and “unique” piece of research.  The report confirmed The Group’s perception.

After the extremely successful launch of “Sadness in my Heart”, The Group decided to formally appoint management committee and seek funding to employ paid workers to undertake advocacy work concerning black people using mental health services. The Group’s business-operating name became known as the Mental Health Shop (Akwaaba Ayeh) and registered as a non-profit making Limited Company. Akwaaba Ayeh is a voluntary managed company and is currently funded by Leicester City Council, The National Lottery - Community Fund and Rutland, Melton and Harborough Primary Care Trust.

Since Akwaaba Ayeh’s humble beginnings it has blossomed into a well-established voluntary organisation widely known locally, regionally and nationally.

The purpose of Akwaaba Ayeh is to follow up on the foundation built by Black Mental Health Group Resource Centre. That is, provide mental health advocacy by way of advice, information, representation and general support.  Akwaaba Ayeh’s objective is to help and empower Black people experiencing mental health difficulties and their carers, and for them to be supported to live as independently as they could in the community without having to enter an institution. The advocacy is predominately provided to people from the Black community living in the City and County of Leicestershire, who may or may not be experiencing mental health difficulties including support for carers.  Our Advocacy services include advice and information on mental health services, representation at mental health reviews tribunals, consultation and training on black mental health issues. The Advocacy is provided at service user homes, hospitals, community and any other agreed setting. We also provide general and specific mental health advice and information to anyone wanting:

¨     access to statutory and community based mental health services

¨     mental health rights and entitlements

¨     access to alternative therapy and services

Alongside we also make provision and hold service user and carer group meetings. The Jambo Support Group (JSG) plays a vital role for Akwaaba Ayeh in that the JSG provides a direct service user consultation body regarding formulation of policy and service delivery.  In addition, Akwaaba Ayeh is actively involved in local and national mental health policy and service development. We attend a variety of meetings in regards to this role.

Building on our successful first ten years, Akwaaba Ayeh, over the past two years has been undergoing a change. That is, implementing a business plan to meet the modern day demands of funding, managing and operating a non-profit making organisation.  In so doing, we have succeeded in securing Lottery and Small Grant Funding and have improved systems of work to target human and money resources where it is most needed. This targeting of resources and improved management systems has created new opportunities for people to be employed by Akwaaba Ayeh to fill the gaps in our service identified in our Business Plan. These gaps have been filled by firstly, The National Lottery Community Fund. This fund has allowed us to employ a full time Manager and currently we are in process of recruiting a part time Carers Support Worker. Secondly, The Community Chest and Community Learning Chest Small Grant Funding will allow us to provide and implement a capacity building programme for our employees, management committee and provide Information Technology equipment. All in all it is designed to improve office and service efficiency. Simultaneously we are progressing to accommodate all existing and new employees in suitable premises with available computer and communication technology to each employee.

Our service is unique in that we help black people in the way they want to be helped, that is, help fulfil equality of opportunity.

In year 2002, Akwaaba Ayeh’s tireless commitment to improve the quality of life and indeed experience of Black people using mental health services were nationally recognised by winning the “Footprint Award” for providing an advocacy service that is “Simply the Best”

We recognise that this area of work is challenging but at the same time is very exciting and rewarding. We welcome anyone with the appropriate commitment and experience to join our very successful team.