Reflecting on Our Anti-Racism and Mental Health Advocacy Training with Ebou Sanyang

Over the past few months, we’ve had the incredible privilege of working with Ebou Sanyang during a series of three sessions on anti-racism and mental health advocacy. His depth of knowledge, personal experience, and genuine passion for this work is immensely inspiring, and we came away from each session feeling enriched. Across the sessions, we explored the critical intersections of anti-racism work and mental health advocacy, specifically from the perspective of white allies committed to growth and change.

It was an absolute honour to work with Ebou, someone who has dedicated so much of his life to uplifting and advocating for the Black community in Bristol and beyond. His wealth of knowledge, lived experience, and heartfelt passion were evident in every moment of the training, leaving us with a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be effective allies in creating safe, inclusive and accessible spaces.

At BBPDC, our we are committed to our peer support spaces providing safety and belonging to all, but we know there’s still work to be done. This training reminded us of the importance of actively centring Black voices in mental health conversations and services. It’s not enough to just open the door; we need to step back, listen, and ensure the table is truly inclusive and equitable for all.

Ebou challenged us to reflect deeply on our practices and assumptions, while offering us practical guidance to make our peer support spaces safer and more accessible. I can guarantee if you work with Ebou you’ll come away inspired, informed, and ready to make meaningful change. You can learn more about his training sessions and book him for a consultation via his website: ebousanyang.com.

This journey isn’t about a single step—it’s about ongoing commitment and action. Here’s to a future where inclusivity isn’t just an aspiration but a lived reality.