Young African Caribbean men across Birmingham should feel mentally stronger and lead happier, healthier lives thanks to National Lottery funding totalling almost £750,000.
Birmingham REP, First Class Legacy, Centre for Mental Health and Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust will receive the money over three years to run a scheme called Shifting the Dial.
It has been developed in response to statistics showing that young African Caribbean men in the UK are much more likely than their white counterparts to develop serious mental illness and three times more likely to be at risk of suicide.
The project has been developed as a result of a pilot scheme, Up My Street, which ran in Birmingham between September 2015 and July 2017.
Shifting the Dial will engage groups of young African Caribbean men in cultural activities run by First Class Legacy and the REP at a range of places within Birmingham and Solihull.
Over the three years, Shifting the Dial will also identify and promote 30 ambassadors who will influence a generation of young African Caribbean men needing new, strong leadership.
Birmingham REP’s executive director Stuart Rogers said, “this Big Lottery funding will help make a big difference and a real positive impact in Birmingham.
“It’s a brilliant example of how theatre can work with other sectors to tackle some of the most pressing issues in our society.”