Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage (REACH)

Pilot phase

REACH was initially piloted at Meadowbrook, Salford, to create psychologically safe spaces for staff. The programme introduced restorative practices to support open dialogue and healing.

Expansion and community building

Following positive outcomes, REACH was adopted and embedded at North View and further developed into a community of practice.

Recognition and awards

• Jonathan MacLennan Award, Mental Health Improvement Network (2025)
• Anti-Racist Initiative of the Year, Caribbean and African Health Network (CAHN) Black History Month Gala (2025)

System-wide adoption

The programme is endorsed by senior leadership within the Trust as a model of best practice. REACH has now expanded beyond the Trust, with other NHS organisations in Sheffield and West Sussex actively adopting the approach and also becoming active members in the community of practice.  

Trust-wide

• Trust-wide programme with multiple strands.

Community of practice

• Nine teams enrolled in the community of practice.
• External NHS Trusts now engaged - Sheffield and West Sussex have joined, and Pennine has expressed interest.

Staff-led conversations

• Open dialogue on race, identity, and healing.

Education

• Training and events to raise awareness of racial abuse and its impact.

Patient engagement

• Informing patients and carers about effects of racial abuse on staff.

Celebrations and events

• Black History Month and REACH celebration days. 

Support networks

• Peer support groups and restorative spaces for staff.

North View engagement

• Active presence in staff meetings to embed REACH.

Recruitment of Champions

• Patients engaged as REACH Champions to sustain momentum.

Implemented initiatives

• Staff support packages delivered across teams to strengthen resilience.
• Regular wellbeing sessions embedded into staff schedules.
• A mutual expectations framework adopted to set clear standards for staff and patients.
• An incident response flowchart distributed and used to guide staff after incidents.
• A sanctions-letter process established for addressing unacceptable behaviour.
• Restorative conversations actively used to repair relationships and promote healing.

Our commitments

• Create a safe and respectful environment for staff, patients, and carers.
• Promote awareness and understanding of race, ethnicity, culture, and heritage.
• Challenge discrimination and racial abuse through education and dialogue.
• Empower staff and patients to speak up and shape inclusive practices.
• Celebrate diversity through events, storytelling, and shared learning.
• Provide support networks and restorative spaces for those affected by racism.
• Embed anti-racist values across all wards and teams.

Key achievements

• Contributed to Trust-wide Active Bystander training.
• Educated patients on the impact of racial abuse on staff.
• Strengthened collaboration with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to support staff reporting incidents.
• Sanction letters introduced and welcomed by MDT 5 – In North View and working on the 6th letter week commencing 10th for Acorn.

Training and development

• Anti-racism training for all staff.
• Identity Groups exploring identity, values, and strengths (“what am I good at?”).

Patient-centered initiatives

• Patient and carer race equality framework (PCREF) self-assessment completed with patients.
• Patient support subgroups focusing on restrictions, information sharing, catering, celebrations, and toiletries.

Inclusive care planning

• Cultural needs template for care plans.
• Information resources for multiple religions.
• Treatment offer tailored to cultural and identity needs.

To get involved, or to find out more, contact us: QualityImprovement@gmmh.nhs.uk