Meet our GMMH “Change Makers”
This month (October) is Black History Month 2026, and this year’s theme is “Honouring Our Communities,” recognising the people and places that sustain Black life across Britain.
Across October, we are using our platform to amplify the lived experiences of our colleagues, service users, carers and communities; shining a light on their vital contributions; and highlighting how, together, we are taking action every day to become a safe, inclusive, and anti-racist organisation.
This week, we are shining a spotlight on our GMMH Change Makers programme; hearing from those involved about ‘reciprocal mentoring’, and how it is helping to build more inclusive environments from Board to ward.
The GMMH Change Makers programme is an initiative designed to build a more equitable and inclusive organisation in which everyone can thrive.
Developed in collaboration with Dr Eden Charles, a leading figure in inclusive leadership development, the programme brings together senior leaders with diverse staff members from across GMMH, to learn from one another, challenge inequalities and drive meaningful organisational change.
Now in its second year following a successful first cohort in 2025, improvements are already being seen across a number of areas, including recruitment practices, policy development and service development; with 100% of participants reporting it has inspired them to take real action to support equality, diversity and inclusion
Learning with and from each other
Each cohort of “Change Makers” is made up of GMMH senior leaders and junior staff from underrepresented groups, including those from minority ethnic backgrounds, those who identify as LGBTQ+, those with physical disabilities, and those with a neurodivergence such as ADHD and/or autism.
Over 12 months, the Change Makers meet regularly as a cohort, and in smaller groups, to connect, share experiences, and gain a genuine understanding of each other’s perspectives. Through workshops, action learning sets, mentoring and change projects, they are supported to explore the realities of marginalisation, unconscious bias and systemic barriers for underrepresented groups. They are encouraged to reflect on how structures, processes and cultures can affect people's experiences and opportunities of both delivering and receiving care; and take action to drive real and meaningful improvements.
“Reciprocal Mentoring Partnerships” are a key element; whereby senior leaders and junior staff are paired up to form two-way, mutual learning relationships. Acting as equal partners, each person within the pair takes on both the mentor and mentee role, exchanging their own unique knowledge, experiences and perspectives to support shared understanding, challenge assumptions and identify opportunities for both personal development and wider organisational improvement.
Meet our GMMH Change Makers!
This Black History Month, our GMMH Change Makers have been using their voices to share their stories and advocate for inclusion across mental health services. Follow the links below to hear what they have to say:
Podcast: Pharmacy in person with Sam Appiah-Anane
Deputy Director of Pharmacy and the third president of the UK Black Pharmacists Association (UKBPA), talks about his most memorable patient, and what it taught him about pharmacy's role in medicines and giving a voice to those who don't have one in healthcare.
Sam was also recently a panellist at the Royal College of Pharmacy's Black History Month event.
Read more and listen to the podcast here.
One-minute vlog: “In't Change Makers brilliant!” with Simon Johns
In this vlog, Simon Johns, Head of Operations for Wigan and Bolton, reflects on his time taking part in the Change Makers programme.
Podcast: Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage with Loveness Ncube and Tracy Slaughter
Throughout the conversation, you’ll hear valuable reflections on collaboration, culture, and the collective responsibility we all share in responding to hate crime and creating environments where everyone feels safe, respected and valued.
Read more and listen to the podcast here.
Coming soon! Podcast with Chris Oliver and Jenny Clarke
Make sure to stay tuned for our latest Change Makers podcast coming soon, where you can hear reflections from our Chief Executive, Chris Oliver, and OD Manager, Jenny Clarke.
Reflections
Impact and next steps
Evaluation of the Change Makers programme so far has indicated a significant positive impact, with progress moving beyond discussion and reflection to solid action being taken to address inequalities amongst staff and service users.
Following completion of the first cohort:
- 100% of participants agreed that they actively look for opportunities to improve inclusion in their workplace.
- 100% agreed that the programme had inspired them to take action to improve equality, diversity and inclusion.
Learning from the programme has already contributed to a number of improvements across GMMH, including:
- A targeted review of workforce data to identify actions that will improve equity of opportunity for underrepresented groups, and support the development of a workforce that represents the diversity of the communities we serve.
- The opening up of recruitment to Medication Safety Officer roles to Pharmacy Technicians, widening access to development opportunities and expanding the range of expertise within services from which service users and carers can benefit.
- The creation of a local Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Community of Practice to support learning, collaboration and peer support.
- The incorporation of inclusive practice and lived experience perspectives into the development of the Trust Strategy and other key policies.
- The delivery of local training initiatives, such as LGBTQ+ awareness sessions.
- Clearer and more robust processes for reporting and responding to incidents involving discrimination, racism, violence and aggression.
- The launch of the Change Makers Podcast, where participants share stories, insights and reflections on creating equitable, culturally competent and compassionate environments.
Following the success of the first cohort in 2025, a second cohort is now underway.
As the programme grows, participants from previous cohorts are working alongside Trust leaders, services and teams, and with system partners across Greater Manchester and beyond, to share learning, advocate for underrepresented groups, and, together, build a movement for real and lasting change.
For more information about the Change Makers programme, visit Change Makers.
For more information about Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at GMMH, visit Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).
