The Brave Project C.I.C
ABOUT US
The Brave Project C.I.C (Community Interest Company), a non-profit organisation based in the UK, dedicated to suicide prevention and well-being support for Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) boys and young men. We empower BAME boys and young men through public awareness and education, creating a safe space where they can confidently seek help without fear of judgment.
With a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by BAME communities, we ensure that the support we provide is culturally competent and relevant.
By delivering culturally competent care, we address the specific needs and perspectives of BAME boys and young men in relation to mental health.
With a focus on inclusivity, we strive to ensure that every individual, regardless of their background, has access to the support and resources they deserve.
Through various projects and initiatives, including those within the community and prison estate, we aim to address the mental health concerns and challenges faced by BAME individuals.
OUR MISSION
Established in 2020 in response to the unmet mental health needs of Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) boys and young men, the Brave Project C.I.C has a clear mission:
To improve the mental health outcomes of BAME boys and young men and provide better support for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one due to suicide.
Our mission involves the following key elements:
- Bridging the Gap: We act as a link between organisations that offer support and BAME boys and young men at risk of suicide, affected by suicide, or experiencing suicidal thoughts. By facilitating this connection, we ensure that they receive the help they need.
- Co-Production: We collaborate closely with healthcare professionals, wellbeing services, and community representatives to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage open conversations about it. This approach involves everyone working together to find solutions.
- Culturally Competent Support: We provide accessible and culturally competent support and resources tailored to the needs of BAME boys and young men at risk of suicide, affected by suicide, or experiencing suicidal thoughts. We recognise the importance of understanding cultural backgrounds to deliver effective assistance. Our role is to guide BAME boys, young men, and their families towards life-saving support and services. We emphasise the strength in talking about their struggles, as it takes courage to seek help, not weakness.
Through these initiatives, the Brave Project C.I.C aims to make a meaningful impact on the mental health and well-being of BAME boys and young men, ensuring they receive the necessary support and resources during challenging times.
OUR STORY
A brief history of the Brave Project C.I.C
Donelle Grant, a Social Entrepreneur and mother of three, felt a strong calling to make a positive impact and help others. This led her to create the ‘Brave Project Community Interest Company’. Born and raised in her local community, Donelle always wanted to give back. Her inspiration for the project came after attending a world suicide prevention day event and conducting extensive research. She discovered alarming statistics about the mental health challenges faced by Black men in the United Kingdom (UK).
They were more likely to experience various forms of trauma, mental health issues, and had a higher risk of suicide compared to other groups. Moreover, Black men were disproportionately represented in restrictive mental health settings, diagnosed with severe mental health problems, and were more likely to be sectioned under the Mental Health Act. On the other hand, they were underrepresented in mainstream services that offer community-based support, and their mental health needs were not being adequately addressed by mainstream mental health services, including NHS talking therapies. Interestingly, Donelle found that up until the age of 11, Black boys didn’t have poorer mental health than others their age. However, as they grew older, they faced stigma, cultural barriers, and systemic discrimination, which directly affected their mental well-being. In response to these troubling findings, the Brave Project C.I.C was specifically designed to focus on suicide prevention and overall well-being for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic boys and young men. The organisation aims to tackle the unique challenges faced by this group, providing much-needed support and healing to the community
OUR VALUES
The Brave Project strives to improve mental health outcomes by focusing on three key areas: educating, elevating, and empowering.
Through our active education and awareness-raising efforts, we aim to address the unique experiences and barriers that Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) boys and young men face when seeking support, with the ultimate goal of reducing stigma surrounding mental health challenges. Additionally, we value and amplify the voices of BAME individuals with lived experiences of mental health challenges, promoting their stories and perspectives across our social media platforms.
Lastly, our goal at the Brave Project C.I.C is to empower BAME boys and young men by providing them with the tools, information, and resources they need to reach out and ask for help when they need it, ensuring they have access to the necessary support.