AIG Brings Community Partners Together to Address Migrant Mental Health

Afro Innovation Group (AIG) recently led a community mental health event through our Getting Help in Neighbourhoods (GHIN) NHS partnership, bringing together mental health professionals, community organisations and representatives from different cultural backgrounds.

The event focused particularly on the experiences of migrant women, exploring how trauma, isolation, language barriers and domestic abuse can affect mental health, and the importance of connecting communities with appropriate support.

It also provided an opportunity for AIG to put its Lead to Change Network partnership approach into practice, working alongside community organisations to address concerns they encounter through their own work.

Understanding the Barriers to Mental Health Support

For migrant women, mental health challenges can be closely connected to other pressures in their lives.

Adjusting to unfamiliar systems, navigating language barriers or experiencing isolation can make accessing support difficult. For women who have experienced trauma or domestic abuse, knowing where to turn and feeling comfortable discussing their experiences can present further challenges.

These are issues AIG encounters through its frontline work with refugee and migrant communities.

The event brought these experiences into a community setting, creating an opportunity to discuss mental health with professionals who understand the importance of accessible and culturally responsive support.

Bringing Community Partners Together

AIG led the event with the participation of five community organisations:

• Leicester Naija

• Positive Migrants Group

• Kurdish Women Group

• Bantu Community

• Leicestershire Mutual Congolese Group

Community representatives from a range of other cultural backgrounds also attended, bringing additional perspectives to the discussions.

The involvement of these organisations was particularly important. Community groups often have direct contact with people who may be experiencing isolation, trauma or difficulties navigating health services, placing them in a valuable position to recognise concerns and help connect individuals with appropriate support.

By bringing these groups together, AIG created an opportunity to strengthen relationships between organisations working with different communities but encountering similar challenges.

Connecting Communities With Mental Health Professionals

The event included a mental health workshop delivered by Sanare, a clinical psychologist, with contributions from Miriam, a registered mental health nurse.

Their involvement brought professional mental health knowledge into a community-focused discussion, helping connect the experiences raised by participants with a wider understanding of mental health and wellbeing.

This connection between community knowledge and professional expertise is an important part of AIG's work through the GHIN partnership.

It also highlights why mental health engagement needs to take account of people's wider circumstances, including language, cultural background, personal experiences and the practical barriers that may prevent them from seeking support.

Lead to Change: Partnership in Practice

The event represented an important development in AIG's work through the Lead to Change Network.

Established following consultations with 32 community leaders in June 2026, Lead to Change brings migrant-led and community organisations together to identify shared challenges, exchange knowledge and strengthen their collective influence.

Mental health, isolation and access to services were among the issues identified by organisations during the Network's early discussions.

This event provided a practical example of how AIG is taking those conversations forward.

By leading a collaborative activity involving community partners and mental health professionals, AIG demonstrated how the Network's relationships can support work on issues affecting multiple communities.

The aim is to build on these connections, strengthen the evidence emerging from community experiences and explore more coordinated responses to the challenges organisations are identifying.

Continuing the Conversation

The event brought together two important areas of AIG's work: improving access to mental health support through GHIN and strengthening community collaboration through Lead to Change.

We would like to thank Leicester Naija, Positive Migrants Group, Kurdish Women Group, Bantu Community and Leicestershire Mutual Congolese Group, alongside the community representatives and mental health professionals who contributed.

AIG will continue working with communities and partners to identify the barriers affecting mental health and wellbeing, share community insight and strengthen connections with appropriate services.

Interested in collaborating with AIG on community mental health or joining Lead to Change?

Contact our team to discuss partnership opportunities and find out more about our work.

Email: info@afroinno.org

Telephone: 0116 208 1341