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Thank you to everyone that contributed to the Southwark Black seniors survey on the services and activities you want to see delivered from the new Centre for Black African and Caribbean Elders .

The consultation was open from March 2025 and closed in May 2025 and we had 152 respondents from across Southwark who shared their views. In addition to the online consultation, we carried out face to face meetings at different services working with older Black people across the borough.

This is a summary of what you told us:

• You want a warm, welcoming place to connect with others: somewhere that helps tackle loneliness and brings people together through food, music, conversation and shared activities.
• You want your culture to be recognised and celebrated: with food from across the African and Caribbean diaspora, music and festivals, prayer space, and respectful care that reflects your values and traditions.
• You want staff and volunteers who understand your culture: people who treat you with respect, listen to you, and reflect the rich diversity within the Black community.
• You want access to health and wellbeing support: including mental health support, healthy food, dementia advice, and information about common health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and sickle cell.
• You want a wide range of social activities: from arts, crafts and gardening to debates, dancing, book clubs and storytelling – including activities that celebrate Black history and heritage.
• You want the centre to be inclusive and intergenerational: open to people of all ethnicities, backgrounds and ages, with shared spaces for elders, families, carers, LGBTQ+ people and younger generations to connect and learn from each other.
• You want practical support and advice – including help with finances, housing, adult social care, technology, legal advice, and transport to get to and from the centre.
• You want the space to be accessible, well-run and sustainable – with good transport links, friendly and well-trained staff, and good facilities.

Next steps:

1. A working group has now been established, bringing together local residents, organisations and council officers to help shape the next phase of the centre’s development.
2. The process to recruit an organisation to run the centre is now underway. Once the operator is appointed, we’ll share the news and invite you to comment on proposed designs and plans.