Race Equity Lead

Help make mental health support fairer and more accessible for Bristol’s Black, African, Caribbean and Asian Descent communities.

Second Step is a leading mental health charity in the Southwest offering housing, support and hope to people with mental health and support needs. Our vision is that we believe in a world where everyone affected by mental health problems can create a positive future. We promote mental health and wellbeing by supporting people and communities to build brighter futures.

As Race Equity Lead for our citywide HWYNI Mental Health service, you will work with communities, partners and Experts by Experience to build trust, reduce barriers and improve access, referrals and service delivery.

About the role
You will lead HWYNI’s race equity work, strengthening anti-racist, culturally responsive practice and turning community insight into action.

• Build trust with Black, African, Caribbean and Asian Descent communities, including people not linked to established organisations.
• Work with communities, faith groups and local leaders to raise awareness, increase referrals to HWYNI Mental Health and Bristol Carers Service, and reduce barriers.
• Run welcoming drop-ins, peer groups and carers’ spaces in accessible community venues.
• Recruit and support Experts by Experience to shape learning, co-production and improvement.
• Use feedback and access data to drive and report on service improvements.

Based at 162 Pennywell Road, you will work across Bristol with HWYNI colleagues and community partners.

See the role profile for full details.

About you

You will be committed to race equity and accessible services, with knowledge of the Equality Act 2010 and Public Sector Equality Duty. We welcome paid, voluntary and lived experience. You will:

• have experience with Black, African, Caribbean and Asian Descent communities, or people facing barriers to services
• understand race equity, anti-racism, culturally responsive practice, safeguarding, confidentiality, professional boundaries and safe community working
• engage communities, facilitate groups and build partnerships across cultural, faith and race equity networks
• listen, build trust and adapt to different communication and accessibility needs
• use feedback and data to guide action and measure improvement

A relevant community language or related lived, professional or voluntary experience would be helpful.

What we offer

• a welcoming, values-led team supported by the HWYNI Service Manager
• a thorough induction, training and ongoing support
• varied office and community-based work across Bristol
• regular line-management support and professional development
• race equity networks, peer support and partnership learning

Unsure whether you meet every requirement? Contact us about the role, reasonable adjustments or accessible formats.

For an informal chat, contact Lisa Murfin, HWYNI Service Manager: 0117 9096630 or Lisa.Murfin@second-step.co.uk.

About us

We want everyone who works with us or uses our services to feel respected, valued and able to be themselves.

We welcome all applicants who meet the criteria and particularly encourage people of Black, African, Caribbean or Asian descent, who are under-represented at Second Step.

We remove identifying information during shortlisting so applications are assessed fairly on skills, knowledge and experience.

Closing date: Monday 19th October 2026

Interview date(s): W/C 26th October 2026

For more detailed information about these roles and to apply, please see our website www.second-step.co.uk. Second Step is committed to Equal Opportunities and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community and from people who have personal experience of using mental health services. Unfortunately, Second Step is unable to sponsor applicants from outside the UK.

The Company has experienced unprecedented growth over the past few years. We have a vast number of employees, and provide support to clients from all over the country.