Authoring Our Own Stories x Digital Health Ambassadors

Last week our Authoring Our Own Stories peer researchers came together with the Digital Health Ambassadors to co-create some exciting new content exploring the relationship between mental health and Black History Month (BHM). This provided a brilliant opportunity for two groups at Partnership for Young London,  to enrich each other’s respective programmes of work. This year Authoring Our Own Stories has a primary focus of examining the ways in which young Black and Brown women are often socialised to be resilient to the detriment of their mental health. The young women supported the current initiative by the Digital Health Ambassadors, to highlight some of the more complex issues related to Black History still being confined to one month each year.

Both groups began the day by engaging in an activity to find examples of Black and Brown women, both local and global, who spearheaded services to improve mental health.  The group was encouraged to name people they knew, or to add their own names to the list too. Leaders included Cashawn Thompson who coined the term #BlackGirlMagic,  Dr Jacqueline Dyer, MBE , co-founder and chair of London’s Black Thrive and student activist Emmanuela Kumi  - who is also a peer researcher for Authoring Our Own Stories.

As well as sharing insights on BHM, both groups took part in the Experts by Experience (XBX) podcast, led by peer researchers of Authoring Our Own Stories. Focus group guests (i.e. the Digital Health Ambassadors), shared honest and powerful reflections on the pressures faced by young Black, Asian and minority ethnic women today. This collaboration was an incredible moment to amplify the voices of young Black and Brown women, ensuring their stories are not only heard but celebrated.

For more information on Authoring Our Own Stories Contact : Sandra.Vacciana@cityoflondon.gov.uk

For more information on Digital Health Ambassadors Contact : Tanisha.Zaman@cityoflondon.gov.uk