Synergi Leeds
Background & approach
Government statistics published in March 2019 showed that Black people were more than four times as likely as White people to be detained under the Mental Health Act. Black Caribbean people had the highest rate of detention of all ethnic groups
In 2017, the Leeds Mental Health Partnership Board, in response to the disproportionate detention rates within the city, decided to address this stark inequality. A cross–sectoral steering group was formed which attempted to build on the identified priorities, but the group struggled to develop a coherent approach, decide on key actions or agree a shared, common language to discuss issues of risk, racism and discrimination. It was at this point the contact was made with the National Synergi Collaborative Centre.
Collaboration
A senior stakeholder/sponsor board was established in order to shape and champion the development of the work and endorse the relationship with the Synergi Collaborative Centre. This was made up of senior leaders from the Leeds Health and Social care system and the lead Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing.
“Getting an insight into the Synergi way of approaching things has been very inspirational as we continue in our mission to diversify our network further so that it can truly reflect the diversity of our local business community.”
The problem
Early conversations with the national Synergi team were profoundly formative and helped us to frame ‘the problem’ in a different way. Namely, that there have been failures to affect real change in the past because: service user voices are marginalised; difficult views or opinions are ignored, and people in positions of power – particularly those who are White – fear addressing the issue and fear ‘getting it wrong’.
Life course approach
In response, the Synergi-Leeds Partnership was established. This growing network of statutory and voluntary sector organisations adopts a whole system, life course approach which embraces the complexity of people’s lives. The Partnership acts as a ‘community of practice’, with a culture shift to a more progressive dialogue about racial equity and justice. ‘How’ these conversations take place is just as important as ‘what’ people do to bring about change and a psychologically informed approach enables challenging and different conversations to take place.
The Synergi-Leeds Partnership winning the HSJ Mental Health Innovation of the Year 2023 Award
Over the last 4 years, partners in Leeds have worked together to re-build trust with our BME communities and people with lived experience of mental ill health, with a focus on those from a Black African, Black Caribbean, and South Asian heritage. However, we have also made links with the Gypsy, Traveller and Irish community.
The Synergi-Leeds partnership provides a forum in which to inspire and engage system and community leaders to address all forms of racism, further develop work within acute mental health settings and develop a community grants programme.
Impact
There are early indications that this work is having an impact on reducing the numbers of people from both Asian and Black ethnic groups being detained. The work is challenging, but the city is proud of the relationships forged across culturally diverse groups and organisations and is grateful for the learning that continues to be shared.
Our future priorities will be informed by the narratives captured as part of Remembering What’s Forgotten, ensuring we build upon the last 50 years of community history to centre mental health and racial justice in Leeds.