about us
Bridging the gap between mental health services and communities that are often underrepresented
Colourful Minds was born out of a vision to address the gaps in mental health awareness, particularly within communities that have historically been underserved or misrepresented. What started as a volunteer-driven initiative to reduce stigma surrounding mental illness, has now evolved into a fully-fledged charity with a unique focus on promoting mental health education and engagement, to support marginalised communities.
Initially, our outreach began in Southwark and Lambeth, delivering workshops to local primary and secondary schools. We focused on young people, aiming to provide them with the tools, knowledge, and mindset to understand their own mental health, free from the negativity and misconceptions that can often develop over time. Our goal was clear: to empower future generations to approach mental health with compassion, openness, and respect.
As we grew, we expanded our efforts to work closely with local churches, specifically engaging with the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) community. Through our observations, both from clinical work and direct feedback from the community, we recognised a pattern of poor engagement with mental health services. This often stemmed from a lack of cultural understanding and a significant disconnect between the community and the services meant to help them.
REPRESENTATION MATTERS
We are committed to ensuring that our team reflects the communities we serve—so that individuals who seek help can see faces that look like theirs and feel that their needs are being met with understanding and respect.
We proudly represent individuals from Black and minority ethnic communities across the UK, some of whom inhabit intersecting identities from other communities facing inequality.
We acknowledge the unique lived experiences shaped by multiple aspects of identity and our collective commitment to mental health is rooted in fostering inclusion, equality, and support for all.
