Family celebrate lasting legacy as ‘Seni’s Law’ receives Royal Assent
Site Admin • 19 November 2018
source: INQUEST
published: 1 November 2018
Today the Mental Health (Use of Force) Bill has received Royal Assent in Parliament, eight years after the death of Seni Lewis for whom it is intended as a lasting legacy. Known as Seni’s Law, the Bill will increase protections and oversight on use of force in mental health settings.
The Private Members Bill brought by Steve Reed MP is named after Olaseni ‘Seni’ Lewis, a 23 year old IT graduate who died as a result of prolonged restraint by police officers whilst a voluntary inpatient at Bethlem Royal Hospital, Croydon in 2010.
Steve Reed MP has worked closely with the family of Seni Lewis, who are constituents of Croydon North. He worked on this Bill with the family’s lawyer Raju Bhatt, INQUEST, and a coalition of NGOs including Agenda , Article 39, Mind, Rethink and YoungMinds.
Throughout its passage in Parliament and the Lords the Bill has received cross party support. It also led the Minister Jackie Doyle Price to make commitments to consider the issue of the lack of independent investigations into deaths in mental health settings.
Read full article >
In October Catalyst 4 Change celebrated a dual anniversary – its 10th year of driving change and its 5th as a Black Thrive partner. This wasn't just an event; it was a powerful assembly.
We are proud to share that Black Thrive Global has been awarded £5 million from The National Lottery Fund to deliver a five-year programme: Thriving Futures - Scaling Systems Change.
This funding will be instrumental in supporting our ongoing work with African and Caribbean men and women from Birmingham and Solihull who have lived experience of mental health.
Part of a recent Lottery grant will support the Therapy Care Initiative Pilot, a 1-year programme that will identify up to 10 recently bereaved UK families that require therapeutic support.
