PRESS RELEASE
NEW SHORT FILM “FOR MY SISTER” EXPLORES THE HIDDEN MENTAL HEALTH IMPACT OF SICKLE CELL IN BLACK BRITISH COMMUNITIES
A new short film, For My Sister, produced in partnership with Media Trust, highlights the lived realities of sickle cell and its impact on mental health within Black British communities.
Created as part of Race on the Agenda’s Community Research Partnership (RCRP), the film combines storytelling, lived experience, and social commentary to examine how sickle cell is still not adequately addressed within healthcare systems. It highlights health inequities and systemic failures while also pointing toward potential solutions.
ABOUT THE FILM
For My Sister features Xaira Olaifa, Race on the Agenda peer researcher, her sisters, and activist Simply Sayo. It offers an intimate and emotional account of Black women supporting family members living with sickle cell, while also exploring the wider social and structural conditions that shape health outcomes and wellbeing.
As highlighted in the RCRP research: “The experience of often being ignored, neglected and under-prioritised seemed to impact the level of action participants wanted to take in expressing further assistance with their mental wellbeing.” This reflects the compounding effects of invisibility within healthcare and the cycle this creates in worsening mental health outcomes.
ABOUT RCRP (RACE ON THE AGENDA COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP)
RCRP is community-led research programme. Each year, it trains 10 peer researchers and centres lived experience to explore how racial inequalities intersect across areas including health, housing, ableism, homophobia, education and migration.
The programme ensures that communities most affected by inequality are not only consulted in research, but actively shape the questions, insights, and solutions.
Creative team reflections
Mia, Director from Media Trust said:
“Inspired by ROTA’s commitment to recruiting researchers with lived experience, I was drawn to explore Xaira’s relationship with her sister, Tawa, who is living with sickle cell anaemia. I wanted the film to feel intimate and observational, led by Xaira’s voice and her conversations with fellow advocate Sayo. Through this, we uncovered the complexity of supporting a loved one with sickle cell and the public role of being an activist.”
Tolu, Producer from Media Trust said:
“This project was rich with community and lived experience. Capturing Race on the Agenda’s work on screen meant going beyond data to show how research can reach communities, amplify voices, and ensure people are seen, heard, and taken seriously.”
Participant perspective
Xaira Olaifa-Adebayo, Peer researcher said:
“The process of creating the film really enriched my understanding of how we can best use creative practices to drive measurable change in research. I hope the film reaches audiences and demographics that traditional research and policy often neglect.”
Matthew Johnson, CEO of Race on the Agenda, said:
“This film brings light to issues that too often remain invisible within the healthcare system and to the wider public, simply because of who they primarily impact. He added that the project aims to challenge assumptions, shape policy, and “make the invisible visible.”
“Every year I am stunned by the incredible work of our RCRP researchers, who conduct vital research in areas of real community need. Xaira’s work was no different, and I’m so grateful to Mia, Tolu, and the Media Trust for working with Xaira to produce such a powerful and resonant film.”
Click below and learn more about the research project and watch the film.