Hope and Light
Hope and Light is a culturally grounded mental health partnership created to support ethnically diverse communities. Our focus is on the African and Caribbean communities across Bradford and have designed three new services to launch our project. Whether you’re looking for peer connection, one-to-one guidance, or youth-focused support for your sons, ACAP is here to support you.
Phase 1:
Listening First
The first phase of Hope and Light was all about listening. Rather than rolling out pre- designed services, we went into the community to hear directly from the people most affected. Through consultations, events, workshops, open conversations and relationship-building, we gathered honest feedback about what people want and need. The community told us clearly: support should not be done to us, it should be built with us!.
This people-first, holistic approach is at the heart of everything we are doing. We have grounded the project in lived experience and community voice, and we are laying the foundation for services that are sustainable, relevant and rooted in the reality of Black lives in Bradford.
Phase 2:
Service Development
Now in Phase 2, we are launching a range of new support services designed with cultural understanding at their core:
Peer Support Groups – safe, welcoming spaces where people can speak openly, connect with others, and be supported by those who understand their experiences.
1:1 Consultations – tailored, culturally sensitive support to help people navigate their mental health in a way that feels personal and affirming.
Young Lions – a brand-new group for Black boys aged 13–17, providing positive role models, space to explore identity, and the tools to build confidence and emotional wellbeing.
These services reflect the specific feedback we received and are shaped by the gaps and priorities identified by the community itself.
To connect with our team and explore the support available, call Aston, our Community Engagement Worker on 01274 720254 or email aston@acap.org.uk
Next Steps:
Long Term Change
Looking ahead, we will be adding an Inreach worker to our team. Their role is complementary to our project and the postholder will be based on the wards at Lynfield Mount and Airedale hospitals. Their role will be to support people as they transition out of inpatient care, making sure the right help is in place in the community — helping to end the ‘revolving door’ that sees so many people re-admitted due to a lack of support post-discharge.
We know this is not an overnight fix. This is the start of something that will evolve. We are committed to continual reflection and improvement, using feedback from the people we serve to shape the way forward.
Hope and Light is about building trust, breaking down stigma, and offering care that is truly for us, by us.
To find out more or to get involved, contact Aston, our Community Engagement Worker: aston@acap.org.uk
Systemic Change
Matters!
Systemic change is essential if we are to address the deep-rooted inequalities in mental health outcomes experienced by the Black community. For too long, services have been shaped without our voices, leading to mistrust, underdiagnosis, and unmet needs. At ACAP, we believe that real progress starts with understanding – that’s why we’ve been delivering training to BDCM and other organisations, challenging them to think and work differently. We are committed to influencing public health and all agencies with a duty of care, to ensure that support is accessible, and culturally safe, relevant, and equitable for all Bradford residents.
WHAT PARTICIPANTS SAY ABOUT OUR TRAINING
Our training is impactful, and teaches key skills that are essential to working towards building an anti-racist organisation.
This training opened my eyes to the everyday biases built into our systems. It helped me recognise how racism operates subtly and structurally, even in places that claim to be inclusive.
Stuart
Training Participant
I now feel more confident challenging racism in my workplace and beyond. The practical tools and real-life examples made it clear how I can be part of creating lasting change.
Shelly
Training Participant
The training was honest, powerful, and exactly the kind of learning we need. The facilitators created a safe space for difficult conversations that left me both challenged and inspired.
Catherine
Training Participant
Hope and Light Partnership
