Waltham Forest Council is set to prioritise the mental health of Black boys and young men through targeted initiatives and community engagement, following the identification of this issue as a systemic priority during workshops led by The King's Fund.
To address this critical need, the council has commissioned Kooth Digital Health to lead a six-month community engagement pilot, running from June to November 2025. This culturally tailored programme aims to improve the mental health and emotional wellbeing of Black boys and young men aged 10–25 in Waltham Forest. The pilot will be delivered in partnership with Spoke World Ltd, Project Zero, and X7eaven Productions.
The initiative will support 150 participants through creative, artist-led sessions designed to explore and improve mental health, addressing racial disparities in service access and outcomes. The programme directly addresses persistent racial disparities in mental health outcomes by focusing on early intervention, access, and engagement.
In addition to the Kooth-led pilot, the council is establishing five key workstreams, each with designated statutory leads and subgroups to develop action plans, engagement strategies, and resources. The five areas of focus are:
- Education and school exclusions – LBWF Education
- Parenting support – LBWF Early Help
- Mentoring and role models – LBWF Early Help
- Equity in mental health services – NELFT
- Mental health promotion – LBWF Public Health
A new Oversight Board will be formed, co-chaired by statutory and VCS leaders, with a focus on strong Black leadership. Subgroups will develop targeted action plans under this structure, ensuring a comprehensive and community-driven approach to implementation and desired outcomes.
