Welcome
Welcome on-Board Angelica Turner – Kuumba’s New Board Member
We would like to give a warm welcome to our latest board member, Angelica Turner, who is also a member of Kuumba Centre’s Carers group and has been since 2017.
Angelica is a carer for a family member and has been an active part of SACMHF’S community for several years. She attends many of our celebratory events and most recently shared an inspiring speech of her journey – taking part in Mental Health Awareness Week back in May earlier this year.
Initially Angelica was selected to be a part of Sandwell African Caribbean Mental Health Foundation’s Board, through one of the Co-Production meetings that was held here at the Kuumba Centre. She expressed an interest in the position, along with other PWUS (people who use services) and the recruitment process began with Angelica being successful.
When asked about her experiences of the services used at Kuumba Centre, she said: “The services at Kuumba Centre are excellent. I enjoy attending the Carers Group as everyone is always so friendly and it’s a great way to socialise with people who are maybe going through the same thing you are”. I always get signposted in the right direction and it’s nice to speak to someone outside of your circle if that makes sense. When you find a place like Kuumba Centre and you meet the staff and people there, it is very rare to find. I live in Birmingham and there’s not much in terms of support for me in Birmingham – so I am grateful that I can still travel to West Bromwich and get the support I need.
The services at Kuumba Centre are excellent. I enjoy attending the Carers Group as everyone is always so friendly and it’s a great way to socialise with people who are maybe going through the same thing you are.”
Angelica Turner
Pat Johnson CEO said: “It is a pleasure to have Angelica on the board. As a mental health organisation, it is important for us to hear the voices of those who use our services and have them involved in our decision making. It is pivotal for myself (as the CEO), the chair and other board members to know the needs and wants of our service users to help our charity grow and make significant improvements. Angelica has attended two board meetings so far, and we look forward to hearing her input and helping us to shape the way forward to continuously provide a range of culturally responsive services predominantly but not exclusively for people of African and Caribbean descent who are affected by mental ill health, their family, carers, and the wider community promoting sustainable recovery and wellbeing”.
