On Wednesday 22 March 2023, Synergi-Leeds, in association with Words of Colour, hosted the first public screening of The Journey to Racial Equality in Leeds Mental Health Services, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A.
Filmed and produced by the Synergi Collaborative Centre (phase 1) during the Covid pandemic in 2021, the film offers a case study of Leeds’ collaborative journey to reducing ethnic inequalities within diverse communities.
The documentary features interviews from a range of Leeds-based health, mental health, public health, NGO and community sector professionals and experts by experience who, as change agents, are impacting and influencing the narrative and pathways within organisations and communities in Leeds. It also features powerful performances by poets Khadijah Ibrahiim, Black Ops Poetry and Saju Iqbal Ahmed.
Following the one hour screening, there was a panel discussion and Q&A, moderated by Joy Francis, Executive Director, Words of Colour, and Co-Founder and former Co-Director of the award-winning Synergi Collaborative Centre with guests Sharon Prince, Deputy Director, Psychological Professions, Leeds & York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Sinead Cregan, Director of Development and Innovation, Inspire North, Tessa Francis, Co-Chair, Service Users’ Network, Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Pip Goff, Director, Volition at Forum Central, Abdullah Adekola, Poet, Performer and Mental Health Advocate and Heather Nelson, Chief Executive, Black Health Initiative.
Director, Producer and Editor Joy Francis AND Director of Photography and Editor Adrianne McKenzie.