Improving Access for Black Men (IABM)

IABM is delivered by a dedicated team, working alongside community partners to create spaces and pathways into support that feel more accessible, relatable, and grounded in real experiences.

We know that for many Black men, support hasn’t always felt accessible or built with them in mind.

We recognise that services can sometimes feel:

• Difficult to access
• Not culturally relevant
• Or disconnected from lived experience

IABM is about changing that.

We’re creating spaces that feel:

• Safe
• Relatable
• Rooted in real experiences

Black men currently make up less than 3% of people accessing Birmingham Healthy Minds.

At the same time, what we hear from the community is clear. Many are carrying a lot, often without the space or support to talk about it.

Birmingham Healthy Minds supports people with common mental health difficulties such as stress, trauma, anxiety, and low mood. These are things that most of us will experience at some point in our lives.

For many communities, including Black men, accessing support has not always felt easy, relevant, or built with their experiences in mind.

This means many are not getting the support they deserve.

IABM exists to change that.

We are working to:

• Increase access to support
• Build trust through community-led approaches
• Create spaces where Black men feel able to talk, be heard, and supported

Because support should feel accessible to everyone.

You don’t have to carry it alone.

We’re developing a range of support options. Some are available now, and others are being co-designed with the community.

Current and upcoming support includes:

• Talking therapies (one-to-one support)
• Workshops and community conversations
• Culturally informed group spaces
• Psychoeducation and wellbeing resources – Self-help booklets – Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
• Access clinics in community settings Walk in Services – Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

We’re also exploring approaches that go beyond traditional therapy, including:

• Healing circles
• Movement and body-based practices
• Peer support spaces

If you’re a Black man looking for support with things like:

• Stress
• Anxiety or worry
• Low mood
• Trauma
• Life pressures

You can access support through Birmingham Healthy Minds.

How to get started:

• Self-refer online
• Speak to your GP
• Attend one of our community access sessions

Start your referral
Find an access session

IABM sits within Birmingham Healthy Minds; a richly diverse and committed team supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our communities.

At the heart of the project is a small, dedicated team bringing together professional expertise and lived experience.

We’re driven by a shared purpose – to create mental health support that feels accessible, culturally relevant, and rooted in real understanding of the communities we serve.

More details to follow.

This project would not exist without the voices and input of the community.

We work alongside:

• Local community organisations
• Black-led groups and facilitators
• Community healers (e.g. breathwork, movement, holistic approaches)
• People with lived experience

Our partners play a key role in shaping the direction of IABM. From co-designing workshops to delivering community spaces.

We’re proud to work alongside organisations and individuals who are already doing powerful work in the community.

We regularly host community spaces, workshops, and events.

These are designed to feel:

• Informal
• Welcoming
• Real
• Relevant

Examples of what you might see:

• Conversations on mental health and masculinity
• Workshops on stress, identity, and resilience
• Community-led healing spaces
• Pop-up stalls and outreach events

See upcoming events

IABM Radio Series with Unity FM

The Improving Access for Black Men (IABM) project is joining What Shape Are You In? on Unity FM for a special four-part radio series exploring Black men’s mental health, wellbeing and access to support.

The series will create space for open and honest conversations around mental health, identity, stigma, racial trauma, neurodivergence, trust, community healing and early support.

Each episode will bring together a mix of professional, research, community and lived experience perspectives, with opportunities for listeners to reflect and be part of the wider conversation.

The show will be hosted by Beresford Dawkins on Unity FM’s What Shape Are You In?

Recordings and further resources will be shared where available after each episode.

Follow the conversation

You can follow the IABM journey, radio updates and related resources through our social media channels:

Instagram: @bsmhft.iabm
LinkedIn: Improving Access for Black Men
Email: bsmhft.iabm@nhs.net

Whether you’re ready to access support or just want to learn more, we’ve created resources to meet you where you are.

You’ll find:

• Mental health guides
• Videos and real stories
• Tools for managing stress and emotions
• Content exploring identity, culture, and wellbeing

We’re also sharing content from our social platforms so you can engage in a way that suits you.

More information coming soon

This space brings the project to life.

Here you’ll find:

• Videos from our community work
• Conversations and storytelling
• Event highlights
• Behind-the-scenes of what we’re building

You don’t need social media to stay connected.

More information coming soon

We’re building this with the community.

There are different ways to be part of IABM:

• Attend events and workshops
• Share your ideas and feedback
• Collaborate as a partner organisation
• Join future co-design opportunities

More information coming soon.

If you’d like to connect, collaborate, or find out more, email bsmhft.iabm@nhs.net

Socials

Instagram: @bsmhft.iabm
LinkedIn: Improving Access for Black Men