Discover our journey, meet our founder, and learn about the values that drive us forward
The word Inini, derived from the Karanga language, means "the self." It reflects our belief that individuals are deeply connected to their communities, cultures and environments.
The idea for Inini Initiative came from the lived experience of our founder, Last Mafuba. After arriving in the UK and navigating the asylum system, Last experienced first-hand the challenges of rebuilding life in a new country and integrating into unfamiliar communities. During this time, she also volunteered with an organisation supporting asylum seekers and refugees, where she saw many others facing similar barriers to support, belonging and wellbeing. These experiences highlighted the profound impact that the integration process can have on mental health and the limited access many ethnic minorities have to appropriate support services.
Motivated to create change, Last invited Susie Brennan and Margaret Msimbe to join her as co-directors, bringing together a shared commitment to social justice and community wellbeing. Together they bring extensive experience in health and social care, human rights, and supporting marginalised communities. Both Last and Susie hold master's degrees in International Development Law and Human Rights. Last has since completed a PhD in Social Sciences, with research focusing on racial and ethnic mental health inequalities and the structural factors that shape how communities engage with services.
Four years later, the team was joined by Dr Mathew Nyashanu, Senior Lecturer in the School of Social Sciences at Nottingham Trent University. With a background in Education, Journalism and Public Health, Mathew's research focuses on issues affecting ethnic minority communities, including HIV and Female Genital Mutilation.
Now celebrating ten years of Inini Initiative, our work continues to be guided by lived experience, professional expertise, and a deep commitment to supporting individuals and communities to thrive.
The word Inini, derived from the Karanga language, means "the self." It reflects our belief that individuals are deeply connected to their communities, cultures and environments.
When Last arrived in the UK, the silence surrounding mental health within her community felt deeply isolating. After navigating the system largely on her own, she recognised that culturally sensitive support was often missing — so she set out to help create it.
Inini Initiative was born from both lived experience and professional expertise: a space where people are heard, their backgrounds are understood, and their potential can flourish.
Meet the dedicated individuals leading Inini Initiative with passion and expertise
Last holds a PhD in Social Sciences, with research focusing on racial and ethnic mental health inequalities and the structural factors that shape how communities engage with services. She also holds a master's degree in International Development Law and Human Rights.
Susie brings extensive experience in health and social care, human rights, and supporting marginalised communities. She holds a master's degree in International Development Law and Human Rights.
Margaret brings extensive experience in health and social care, particularly mental health, and a shared commitment to social justice and community wellbeing.
With a background in Education, Journalism and Public Health, Mathew's research focuses on issues affecting ethnic minority communities, including HIV and Female Genital Mutilation.
Safe, facilitated peer support groups delivered in community venues across Coventry and Warwickshire. These groups provide supportive spaces where individuals can share experiences, build connections and access encouragement within their local communities.
When Last arrived in the UK, the silence surrounding mental health within her community felt deeply isolating. After navigating the system largely on her own, she recognised that culturally sensitive support was often missing — so she set out to help create it.
Inini Initiative was born from both lived experience and professional expertise: a space where people are heard, their backgrounds are understood, and their potential can flourish.
Over the past ten years, Inini Initiative has worked alongside communities, partners and public services to address the barriers that migrants and global majority communities face in accessing support and opportunities.
Our work has focused on improving wellbeing, raising awareness of mental health, and ensuring that lived experience informs the way services are designed and delivered. Through community engagement, peer support, research and partnership working, we have helped create spaces where individuals feel heard, understood and supported.
Inini Initiative has also played an important role in bringing community voices into decision-making spaces. Through participation in advisory groups, partnerships with voluntary organisations, and collaboration with health services and local authorities, we have contributed to conversations about reducing inequalities and improving access to services.
Today, our work continues to evolve through partnerships with local and regional stakeholders. A key milestone in our journey is being commissioned by the Integrated Care Board (ICB) to deliver the Migrant Mental Health Inequalities Project, supporting efforts to improve understanding, access and outcomes for migrant communities.
Our impact is rooted in a simple belief: that when communities are listened to and involved in shaping solutions, services become more inclusive, effective and responsive to people's needs.
Hear from our founder and see the impact we're making in communities across the UK
Last Mafuba shares the story behind Inini Initiative
Hear from community members about their experiences
Driven by a commitment to make lasting change in ethnic minority communities
Increase awareness of mental health within ethnic minorities communities to remove the stigma and social exclusion promoting support by improving awareness of mental health needs.
Build relationships with individuals so they talk openly about past experiences, trauma or concerns about adapting to a new culture providing the opportunity to talk to someone who will understand and advise them.
Advocacy for clients for whom English isn't the first language to help them understand the Mental Health support services available to them and to encourage improved access to these services through signposting in community settings.
Assistance to enable health professionals to understand how to conduct culturally appropriate assessments with clients from BME communities building an understanding of mental health needs and improving service design and delivery with better health outcomes for service users.
Inini Initiative is founded and legally registered to address gaps in culturally appropriate mental health support and wellbeing services for migrant and global majority communities.
Community engagement work deepens, creating safe spaces for dialogue around wellbeing, integration and mental health within local communities.
Inini Initiative strengthens partnerships with voluntary organisations and community networks, helping to raise awareness of inequalities affecting migrant and refugee communities.
Leadership roles in community partnerships and city-wide initiatives expand Inini's influence in conversations about integration, wellbeing and community support.
Inini Initiative's work contributes to wider discussions on mental health inequalities and access to services. The organisation is commissioned by the Integrated Care Board (ICB) to deliver the Migrant Mental Health Inequalities Project, marking an important milestone in its development. The work expands into Warwickshire.
Since its founding in 2016, Inini Initiative has grown from a grassroots community idea into a trusted partner working to address migrant and ethnic minority mental health inequalities.
In the early years, our work focused on building relationships within communities and creating safe spaces where people could talk openly about wellbeing and mental health. Through community engagement, advocacy and collaboration, Inini Initiative began to highlight the barriers that migrants and ethnic minority communities face when trying to access support.
Over time, this community-rooted work led to increasing opportunities to contribute to wider conversations about health and integration. Through the leadership of our founder, Dr Last Mafuba, Inini Initiative has played an active role in shaping local and regional discussions on mental health equity. This has included contributing to advisory groups, supporting partnership initiatives, and working alongside voluntary organisations, local authorities and health services to ensure that lived experience informs policy and service development.
These roles have helped to strengthen the voice of communities that are often underrepresented in decision-making spaces and have positioned Inini as a trusted bridge between communities and statutory services.
Today, that journey has led to an important milestone. Inini Initiative is now commissioned by the Integrated Care Board (ICB) to deliver the Migrant Mental Health Inequalities Project, supporting efforts to improve access, understanding and outcomes for migrant communities.
As we celebrate ten years of Inini Initiative, our journey reflects the power of community leadership, collaboration and persistence in challenging inequalities and creating meaningful change.
As we look ahead, Inini Initiative remains committed to working alongside communities, partners and decision-makers to create more equitable, accessible and culturally responsive mental health support for migrant and ethnic minority communities.
Working together with organisations that share our commitment to mental health and community wellbeing
Join us in creating positive change and supporting mental health in ethnic minority communities across the UK.