Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Barnardo's teams up with UK rappers to highlight Covid-19 mental health helpline

Barnardo's teams up with UK rappers to highlight Covid-19 mental health helpline

ON the occasion of World Music Day, Barnardo’s, the UK’s largest children’s charity, has teamed up with several leading UK rappers and poets to raise awareness of its Boloh helpline - a Covid-19 helpline service specifically for black, Asian and ethnic minority young people and their families.

The artists will mark the day by reflecting on the past year and share their experiences of the pandemic, on what has been a turbulent 15 months since the first national lockdown.


As part of the campaign, artists will share a piece of spoken word or rap on their social media platforms about their personal mental health experiences during the pandemic, to encourage their followers to seek help if they need it.

Rappers participating will include the 2021 Voice contestant Jason Hayles, Sheffield’s poet laureate Otis Mensah, the acclaimed UK rapper Lemzi, wordsmith TrueMendous, spoken word artist Terrell Lewis and the renowned south Asian rappers Premz and Hyphen.

Over the past year, due to the pandemic the mental health of young people have been impacted due to stress and anxiety. Especially people from black, Asian and ethnic minority communities have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Recent study reveals black people are four times more likely to die of the virus compared to their white counterparts, and economic factors adding up to the existing inequalities.

However, one of the ways young people have been able to express and cope is through music, poetry and spoken word, and using it as a form to connect or escaping from the real-life situations.

Leethen Bartholomew, head of the Boloh helpline at Barnardo’s, said: "Music, rap and poetry are all tools which children and young people sometimes use to express and manage their grief and trauma.

“At Barnardo’s we hope that through the support of these inspirational artists, more young people will be empowered to talk openly about their mental well-being, and reach out for help when they need it.

“The Boloh helpline was created because of the problems faced by children, young people and their families who have been affected by the pandemic and lockdowns. As we look ahead, we want to ensure young people from all communities have the right support available to help them cope with their mental health.”

Barnardo’s ‘Boloh’ helpline is a bespoke service supporting black and Asian minority children, young people and their families. It is available for young people to access if they are struggling because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The service also provides therapeutic support, a live web chat facility, and a lifeline to communities dealing with issues such as isolation, stress, uncertainty about the future, sickness and bereavement, rising hate crime and loss of support services, and existing inequalities such as poverty, overcrowded housing and physical and mental health problems.

For more information on Boloh visit here.

More For You

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE is now investigating more than 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects, following years of public criticism and institutional failings in tackling child sexual exploitation.

A new report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed the force has made “significant improvements” in dealing with group-based sexual abuse and related crimes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Diwali

This year’s Diwali event will still see Belgrave Road continue to host what is left of the festival. (Representational image)

Major changes announced for Leicester’s Diwali celebrations amid safety fears

LDRS

THIS year’s annual Diwali celebrations will be stripped back amid public safety fears. Leicester City Council has said there will be no fireworks or stage entertainment as part of major changes announced for the event.

Cossington Street Recreation Ground will also not be used for the festivities, the council has revealed. The green space previously was the location for the main stage and the Diwali Village with its food stalls, funfair rides, fashion and arts. The annual fire garden display was also based there, offering “a peaceful oasis amid the festive excitement”.

Keep ReadingShow less
Corbyn- Zarah Sultana

Zarah Sultana with Jeremy Corbyn during a protest outside Downing Street demanding the UK government to stop all arms sales to Israel. (Photo: X/@zarahsultana)

X/@zarahsultana

Zarah Sultana leaves Labour, plans new party with Corbyn and independents

FORMER Labour MP Zarah Sultana has announced her resignation from the party and plans to launch a new political party alongside ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and other independent MPs and activists.

Sultana, who represents Coventry South, lost the Labour whip last year for supporting the removal of the two-child benefit cap.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hasmukh Shah

The certificate was presented to Shah at the Welsh parliament by Anita Bailey, Home Office Director Windrush Unit.

Hasmukh Shah receives UK minister’s certificate of appreciation

A prominent Asian doctor has been recognised for his services to the community. Prof Hasmukh Shah has received a certificate of appreciation for his contribution and services to the United Kingdom.

The certificate was issued by Seema Malhotra MP, UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship, as part of the Windrush Cymru Elders and Race Council Cymru’s Windrush work in Wales.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dalai-Lama-Getty

Dalai Lama looks on as offerings presented by Buddhist followers are laid on a table during a Long Life Prayer offering ceremony at the Main Tibetan Temple in McLeod Ganj, near Dharamsala, India, on June 30, 2025.(Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

India says Dalai Lama alone can decide successor

A SENIOR Indian minister has said that only the Dalai Lama and the organisation he has established have the authority to decide his successor as the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. The comment runs contrary to China’s long-standing position on the matter.

The Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule, said on Wednesday that after his death he would be reincarnated as the next spiritual leader, and that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust would be able to identify his successor. He had earlier said that the next Dalai Lama would be born outside China.

Keep ReadingShow less