NELFT has been shortlisted for a Health Service Journal Award in the category NHS Race Equality Award in recognition of its ground-breaking work to advance health equity through community-led mental health care.

At the heart of this nomination is the Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF) team, whose inclusive approach is reshaping how services connect with marginalised communities. By teaming up with grassroots organisations, barbershops, faith groups, schools, and local hubs, they’ve co-created pop-up clinics, health shows, and tailored mental health support that meets people where they are. In 2024 alone, the team delivered over 10 events, ran 30+ focus groups, and engaged more than 1,500 residents in trusted spaces like churches, mosques, gyms, youth clubs, and libraries.

Standout moments include the African & Caribbean Health Show, co-produced with The Village UK and local GPs, where 300 attendees connected with 36 services, from GPs to housing support, while a barbering station offered free haircuts, transforming into a space for informal wellbeing conversations. Another highlight is the 18-week wellbeing group for South Asian women, co-designed with Community Psychology and hosted at Fullwood Primary School. Scheduled around school drop-off and pick-up, the group promotes emotional wellbeing in a safe, non-clinical setting.

Wellington Makala, Executive Chief Nursing Officer, and Debbie Smith, Director of Nursing, said:

“We need to stop just pulling people out of the river, some of us need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in. Our PCREF approach, with its focus on prevention and upstreaming care, has shown its potential to transform services and challenge health inequalities. Being shortlisted for this award demonstrates that we are helping to build a system where everyone, service users, carers, staff, and communities, can thrive and receive the equitable care they deserve.”

Erica Deti, Patient & Carer Race Equality Lead, said:

“Being shortlisted reflects the dedication of our staff, communities, and partners to co-produce meaningful change and tackle health inequalities through compassionate and kind leadership and collaboration. 

I have had the privilege of leading this work at NELFT for the past 18 months, developing an approach rooted in population health, community participation, prevention, partnership working and addressing the wider determinants of health. This recognition is also a tribute to the outstanding efforts of the PCREF team, Asia and Mkieva, who continue to drive this transformation forward for our patients, carers, and local communities.”

Partners involved in the programme shared reflections on its impact and the power of collaboration:

Rosie Jukes, Assistant Headteacher at Dagenham Park school, said:

“At Dagenham Park School, we’ve been proud to host focused community engagement sessions with PCREF, creating space for honest conversations with our young South Asian women and young Black men. We’re now excited to move into the next phase—working in partnership with Community Psychology and Mental Health Support Teams to co-design peer research and culturally appropriate group interventions, including creative and sports-based mental health support, shaped directly by our students.”

Kimberley St Hill, Mental Health Advisor & Safeguarding Practitioner at Waltham Forest college said:

“It is an honour to work with the PCREF team. Their commitment to co-production with our learners has strengthened engagement. Their work is leading the shift in how services are designed and delivered. PCREF is a pillar in public health — setting a new standard for inclusive, transformative care.”

Inspector Tom Wilson, Metropolitan Police, said:

“Being part of the PCREF programme has opened my eyes to the deeper, systemic challenges faced by Black communities during mental health crises. By working alongside health and community partners, we're not just responding differently — we're learning to prevent crisis altogether. This work is about building trust and making sure the police are part of the solution, not part of the problem. It's a vital step towards safer, more compassionate mental health care.”

Steven Barnabis, Founder of Project Zero, said:

“Being part of the PCREF journey has shown us what real partnership looks like. Working alongside Waltham Forest College, we’ve been able to centre the voices of Black men and young people, and co-create responses that feel safe, culturally grounded, and rooted in trust. This partnership proves that when resources are directed to the right places, Black young people can build the future they deserve.”