This workstream acknowledges that unlike mainstream activism, which tends to focus on reforming the Mental Health Act, activism by those who have lived experiences of mental ill-health, distress or trauma to support racialised community has value. Grassroots campaigns are addressing a range of issues: securitisation and Islamophobia within the Prevent programme; immigration detention and the hostile environment; criminalisation of distress; surveillance and mental health data; the gatekeeping of mental health services based on migration status.  

Policy work is everything the community does, even if it is not recognised as such.  It has value and is being used, without financial compensation, by State institutions, larger charities, and donors to create policies based on research that is not co-produced nor is it for the community it proports to serve.  

We see how working in this space can result in a tension between hypervisibility and invisibility, which can either result in problems of representation and homogeneity or being remarginalised again and lived experience not having any real value to those who co-opt it. These systems of power and normative practices dilute and delegitimise our voices. 

Movements come from lived experience of mental-ill health, trauma and distress and we share our stories to create change. We know this work does not usually see itself as policy work, it is not viewed in that way, and is under-resourced and under-valued. However, the retelling of our stories can come at a cost of a narrow focus into a single issue and burn out.. It is also the campaigning work which has energy.​ This work needs to be resourced, connected, and amplified. This work needs care and needs to be trauma informed not trauma led.  

As part of this work, we are seeking to shift resources to collectives who work at the intersection of racial justice, mental health, and abolition.    You can see who we funded here

Synergi’s fund will work via our grants scheme to support grassroots campaigning at the intersection between abolition, mental health and racial justice. 

Solidarity fund that resources the groups in a way which is not transactional, conditional or exploitative 

We will also produce a system map to see leverage points (from an abolitionist approach), that existing groups and individuals have been using to impact change and where Synergi’s activities can have ripple effects and change the systems that oppress us.  

Collectively we hope to dream, build and practice being in the world we need for our liberation from carceral structures of care.