The Black Men's Health Collaborative (BMHC), a partnership between BAK UP CIC and UAA, is pleased to announce its inaugural VOICE 4 Change 2026 Conference, taking place on Tuesday 8 December 2026 at Kings Park Conference Centre, Northampton, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Under the theme "VOICE 4 Change: Breaking the Silence, Building Trust, Transforming Black Men's Health", the conference will bring together Black men, community leaders, NHS professionals, mental health specialists, researchers, policymakers, voluntary sector organisations and other stakeholders to confront the inequalities affecting Black men's health and wellbeing.

The conference will place particular emphasis on Black men's mental health, while recognising the wider social, cultural, economic and institutional factors that influence health outcomes.

Our Voice, Our Health Our Future | We do own the picture

placeholder image — Our Voice, Our Health Our Future | We do own the picture

Breaking the Silence Around Black Men's Mental Health

For too long, many Black men have experienced barriers to discussing their mental health, accessing appropriate services and receiving timely support.

Cultural expectations, stigma, discrimination, socioeconomic disadvantage and a lack of trust in institutions can contribute to silence and delayed engagement with health services.

VOICE 4 Chage 2026 aims to create a safe and empowering platform where Black men can speak openly about their experiences, influence the design of services and help shape practical solutions.

The conference will explore:

Mental health stigma, emotional wellbeing and the pressures experienced by Black men.
Barriers to accessing NHS mental health and other healthcare services.
Racism, discrimination and wider social determinants of health.
Prostate cancer awareness and other significant health concerns.
The importance of early intervention, prevention and culturally responsive services.
The role of families, communities, faith organisations and trusted networks.
Opportunities for research participation, community leadership and co-production.
Building stronger partnerships between the NHS, local authorities, universities and community organisations.

From Community Conversations to System-Wide Change

The conference builds on the successful launch of BMHC on 3 October 2026, when BAK UP CIC and UAA brought together community members, researchers and health advocates to discuss prostate cancer awareness, research engagement and the importance of improving Black men's health outcomes.

That launch reinforced the need for a sustained, community-led approach rather than isolated awareness events.

VOICE 4 Change 2026 represents the next important stage, translating community experiences into meaningful commitments, practical interventions and stronger accountability across health and care systems.

A 12-Month Pilot Beginning January 2027

Following the conference, BMHC intends to launch a 12-month pilot programme from January to December 2027, subject to securing the necessary partnerships and resources. The programme will initially focus on Northamptonshire, with ambitions to develop regional partnerships and share successful approaches nationally.

A Call to NHS Leaders, Commissioners, Funders and Partners

BMHC is inviting NHS organisations, Integrated Care Boards, local authorities, public health teams, universities, research institutions, charitable foundations, businesses and voluntary sector partners to support the conference and help develop a sustainable programme of action.

Statement from BAK UP CIC

Prince Caesar, Chief Executive Officer of BAK UP CIC, said: ‘VOICE 4 Change’ is about creating a platform where Black men are heard, respected and empowered to speak openly about their health and wellbeing. Too often, conversations about Black men's health take place without meaningful involvement from the very people affected.

We want to change that. This conference is not simply another discussion about inequalities. It is an opportunity to bring communities, health leaders, researchers and decision-makers together to develop solutions and build lasting partnerships.

Our ambition is to move from awareness to action, from mistrust to meaningful relationships, and from isolated interventions to a sustainable system of support that improves lives."

About the Black Men's Health Collaborative

The Black Men's Health Collaborative is a community-led partnership established by BAK UP CIC and UAA in October 2026 to address inequalities affecting Black men's health and wellbeing.

Through engagement, advocacy, research inclusion, prevention and collaboration with health and care organisations, BMHC seeks to strengthen community voices, improve access to services and support lasting improvements in health outcomes.