Message From The Chair

Dear Friends,

I am honoured to be the Chair of Enfield Caribbean Association as we move into our 40th year celebration in 2026. I am thankful to work with an amazing team of trustees who are very talented and committed to ECA. There have been numerous successes over the last year. We have continued to support the most vulnerable in our communities, running the weekly luncheon club for our elders on a Friday. The club is well attended and offers companionship, social interaction, and much more.

Looking back on the last year, there have been several milestones. In June 2024 we partnered with the Black Heritage Hub (BHH) to hold a very successful Windrush event at the Edmonton library. We brought together over 100 people to celebrate with drumming, poetry, speeches, good food and much more. In January 2025 we launched the Black Film Club in partnership with the Dugdale Arts Centre. The Black Film Club celebrates Black talent and stories through great films. From classics to new hits, we curate movies to inspire and bring people together.

In March of this year, we successfully gained significant funding to continue to develop the ECA. We are delighted to have been able to appoint two senior charity coordinators, Alfa Balde and Henry T Gaspard, for three days a week each. The new colleagues bring opportunities for us to develop more programmes and new projects, increase our funding and our reach into the community. With their support, we will expand our outreach, strengthen existing programmes, and launch new initiatives that respond to the evolving needs of our community.

We have continued to forge links with local organisations and have been working with Caribbean and African Health Network (CAHN) whose mission is to improve the health outcomes of Black Caribbean and African people and to reduce health disparities, As a member of London Inspire I was part of the team that planned the health summit held at the QE2 hall in Westminster. The summit was attended by over 500 delegates. It was a resounding success with key speakers and workshops covering a plethora of health topics. We continue to support Reach Society and attended their annual Careers conference in London which is held in April. We also partner with Enfield Black Community Health Forum, who hold very informative monthly sessions covering a range of health topics.

I would like to thank our trustees, associate trustees, and volunteers who provide valuable services to the community. With their support we can offer vital services to Black and global majority communities, reduce isolation and build communities.

If you are interested in becoming a member or volunteer with ECA, or would like to donate to us, further information can be found on our website at https://theeca.org.uk/get-involved/ or contact us at info@theeca.org.uk.

Oveta McInnis
Chair and Trustee