'Extend Exercise'
Extend Exercise Classes: Day Care Services
'Extend Exercise'
Extend Exercise Classes: Day Care Services
Posted 11.12.2025
Reflecting on our 40th Anniversary Event.
Our special commissioned banner to mark our 40 years serving all the community.
The past few months have been very emotional for the organisation so here are some snippets from our 40th Anniversary celebrations .
This was a three day event over a weekend period Friday 26th September the Formal Event, Saturday 27th September Community Event and Sunday 28th September Thanksgiving Church Service. We are sorry that we could not invite everyone to the Friday.
We also apologise for the delayed sharing of our 40th Anniversary events, this was due to the passing of Gary Mellis our long standing staff member. Gary's passing was a devastating loss to us all and he will be sadly missed.
HERE ARE SOME MEMORIES FROM OUR 40TH
Celebration Cake make by our former Chair Mrs Sarah Thomas
CEO, Trustees, and members of Staff
Members of staff
Mayor of Sandwell Steve Melia Councillor Jackie Taylor pictured with Mitzi James (Entertainment Committe Member & Mavis Gordon (Day Care Client)
Our Treasurer Mrs Hyacinth Jarrett pictured with Sarah Coombs MP
Our Trustee Dr Melissa Brown (centre) pictured with Johnny Shah & Dr Manula Patel
Our Host John Simmit pictured with Cynthia Dwyer (West Midlans Cancer Action Group)
Our Chair Bishop Davis
Ezra Blondel - Researcher for our Boys II Men-Girls II Women (ACESS Project)
Mayor Steve Melia, Sarah Coombs MP, Councillor Jackie Taylor, CEO Shane Ward, Conrad Frances (Consultant ISO 9001) and ex employees from ACESS Project.
Community Day - Pictured are some staff members and our Treasurer Mrs Hyacinth Jarrett and CEO Shane Ward
40th Anniversary Thanksgiving Church Service - Officiated by Pastor Laurel Woodstock
Our newest trustee Daniel Harty
Special commissioned WBACRC Photobooks for our Main Division and Children & Young People Division
These books are available for you to come in and browse through them.
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Posted 08.12.2025
A huge THANK YOU to all the staff volunteers clients board members and our friends who responded to our call to raise £633 equal to $845 US dollars. See below confirmation of our donation and our message of support to those in need.
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Posted 24.11.2025
HURRICANE MELISSA DONATIONS
Posted 07.10.2025
A great day for raising awareness of breast cancer at West Bromwich African Caribbean Resource Centre . We have some talented staff volunteers and service users 
Posted 3.10.2025
Come and join us to pay respect to the late Gary Mellis for his nine nights next Saturday 11th October all welcome
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Posted 30.09.2025
Posted 26.09.2025
Our staff team and some of our trustees after a wonderfulDay celebrating our 40th Anniversary of West Bromwich African Caribbean Resource Centre serving all the community in Sandwell and the surrounding areas. Thanks to the staff trustees volunteers for making it a great day plus John Simmit Patrick White and Roy McFarlane furvtge hosting musical arrangements and poetry Join us tomorrow for day 2 of our community open day to know more about what we do game view our exhibition take part in game challenges including connect 4 dominoes smoothly making raffle prizes and much more 12-6 Saturday 27th September.
CEO Shane Ward, Trustees and Staff
Lord Mayor of Sandwell, Sarah Coombs MP, Councillor Jackie Taylor, Shane Ward CEO and Ex Staff Members from our Children & Young People's Division
Well it’s been a hell of a week last Friday we started our 40th Anniversary celebrations with three days of celebrations including a reunion of those who worked and volunteered over the years . A community day and a thanks giving church service followed by the very sad news of the passing of Gary Mellis and today the breast cancer sip and paint awareness session Here is a snippet.
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Posted 19.09.2025
Come and join us as we celebrate our 40th Anniversary over 2 days.
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Posted 05.09.2025
If you would like to join us please contact the centre on the details listed in the flyer.
For more information contact Deska Howe - Manager (Health & Well Being Division) on 0121 525 9177 Select Option 1.
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Posted 05.09.2025
IN CONJUNCTION WITH MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT
For more information contact Veronica Howe - Cancer Connector on 07535 951498
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Posted 04.08.2025
This is a collaboration between West Bromwich African Caribbean Resource Centre and Northumbria University Newcastle Funded by the Leverhulme Trust.
Please pay a visit to Smethwick library during August to see the exhibition and display and learn about people behind the creation of the Resource Centre.
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Posted 1.08.2025
Job Summary:
To provide healthy and well-balanced African Caribbean and European meals to people who use the charities services and members of the public. In the absence of the Head Cook you will undertake the day-to-day planning, preparation cooking and serving of meals provided by the kitchen.
Qualifications:
NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Catering & Hospitality or Diploma level 2 or 3 in Food Preparation & Cooking, Food & Hygiene, Emergency First Aid, Health & Safety (COSHH & HACCP)
Opening Date: Friday 1st August 2025
Closing date: Wednesday 27th August 2025
Recruitment Lead Partner: West Bromwich African Caribbean Resource Centre
Salary: £ 14.00 per hour (£20,384.00)
Hours: 8am – 4pm (Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday)
Office Location: West Bromwich
Contract type: Fixed Term contract, review after this period. (6 Month Probation), review
Click on link below to apply
https://www.wbacrc.org.uk/forms.asp?id=2
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Posted 31.07.2025
My name is Marjani Orchery and I am a social researcher at Prostate Cancer Research. Registered Charity No: 1156027.
I am currently leading a project regarding health and trust in Black British communities. This project is about understanding barriers to trust and looking for strategies and solutions to improve trust.
As part of the project, we are holding a workshop in Birmingham on 29th August from 10.30am- 1.30pm, to listen and learn with local African Caribbean community members. Participants will receive £60 reimbursement for their time and light refreshments will be provided. Black men and women over 18 are welcomed to participate in this workshop.
Given your powerful mission to ensure the dignity of African Caribbean communities, I'd be very grateful if you would consider sharing the invitation with your network.
Open link to our website for further details.
https://www.prostate-cancer-research.org.uk/empowering-communities-birmingham
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Posted 24.07.2025.
Goodbye to Mary Noel & Jahanara Noel
We would like to say a fond farewell to Mary Noel and her granddaughter Jahanara Noel.
Mary and Jahanara came to West Bromwich to visit family all the way from Carriacou in the Island of Grenada. During their time here they visited us at Caribbean Resource Centre. Mary had previously worked her many many years ago and was familiar with our organisation.
Mary and her granddaughter Jahanara spent many weeks attending our Day Care on Wednesday and really enjoyed it. They would participate with all the activities, interact with our clients and have lunch. Jahanara loved to play the drums during our worship and happy birthday songs.
We loved having them here and your will be missed by use all. We wish them all the best for the future and a safe journey back to Grenada. With Love & Blessings from Everyone at WEST BROMWICH AFRICAN CARIBBEAN RESOURCE CENTRE
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Posted 24.07.2025.
As part of our HDRC programme we are recruiting 2 community representatives and 2 young people to be part of our board to guide, steer and provide a voice for our community. These positions will be for Sandwell residents.
Please see below the information and attached recruitment pack.
Are you interested in your community, health, or social issues and how we can use evidence to improve how we work?
If you have any questions, need any support with the form or want to discuss more, please do contact - Sandwell_HDRC@sandwell.gov.uk.
Open information packs below:
HDRC Board Community Recruitment Pack
HDRC Board Youth Recruitment Pack
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A big thank you to Steven Beckford for the kind donation of Breads and Bun for all who use our centre.
This was much appreciated and welcomed by all.
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We are pleased to announce that following an impromptu visit from the Food Standards Agencies Environmental Health Visitor we were awarded a 5 Rating for our kitchen hygiene and standards.
Well done to the Head Cook, Cook & Kitchen Assistant for all their hard work.
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Posted 28.06.2024
A big Thank You to all those who came on Friday to share in the Sandwell Windrush celebrations first some our our seniors Maisie and Richard, spoke and uploaded the Windrush flag at the Sandwell Council House alongside Sandwell’s first female Muslim mayor Syedah Khatun Then at the centre alongside our colleagues from the Kuumba centre we provided an afternoon o.f celebration As poet Gracey Bennett said The Windrush Generation change de Nation with Great drumming from Asha Barnes.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/2257818911231828
Posted 16.05.2024
The Covid Champions Trusted Voices evaluation report, findings and case Studies have now been published on NIHR PHIRST website so they are unembargoed and in the public domain.
Sandwell Public Health and Pulling together a paper to go to Sandwell’s Health and Well Being Board this month to see if the will endorsed the draft recommendation from PHIRST to invest and work with Black and BME Led Trusted Voice organisations to address identified health inequalities in their own communities.
https://phirst.nihr.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Fusion-CCC-DH.pdf
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Posted: 11.12.2023
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Posted 13.11.2023
Celebrating our very own Hyacinth Jarrett and Eugiene Samuels AKA Miss Eu receiving their black history month awards for their services to support the community. They were nominated by WBACRC and we are very proud of you and all the other award winners congratulations 
Mrs Hyacinth Jarrett
Miss Eugiene Samuels
Group Photo
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Posted 9.11.2023
Two stalwarts of the Caribbean centre passed long service milestones recently . Deska Howe the Health and Well Being Divisional Manager (pictured Left ) commenced his 26th year as an employee following 4 years as a volunteer to amass 30 years of service. Angela Mahabeer our Administrator this week celebrated her 25th Year with the centre . Both are valued members of the staff team and we really appreciate the commitment that they have brought to the charity and the community at large . Long may it continue
Posted 26.09.2023
Pictured with Joe and Leroy are members of staff and trustees of West Bromwich African Caribbean Resource Centre left to right Humayra Nawaz, Annette Noel, Rajwinder Kaur, Shane Ward, Kenneth James, Joe Macnamara (JLR) Hyacinth Jarrett, Leroy Christie (JLR), Sharon Fogarty and Deska Howe
Leroy Christie MLA Launch Lead Engineer and Joe Macnamara Pilot Operations Director are both part of the JLR Motorvate scheme which seeks to link with charitable organisation doing good work in the community. The scheme provides funding and other types of support to community groups and decided to pay a visit to the Black Country to hear about the work of West Bromwich African Caribbean Resource Centre a grassroots charity operating in Sandwell.
Chief Executive Shane Ward and other members of staff and Trustees greeted the pair and talked about the various projects and services that the charity operates. These included provision of a day opportunities service, extend gentle exercise, home care personal support services, hospital befriending services, carers support and dementia support services. Ahead of Black History Month Treasurer Hyacinth Jarrett spoke about the tough times that she and other members of the Windrush generation had to face and the lasting bonds created particularly with the Irish community as both faced discrimination at a time when private landlords were allowed to say no Black people no Irish and no dogs.
Leroy said.
” Its great to hear the history and see the development to an organisation employing local people from across different communities we feel it is important for Jaguar Land Rover to be using its resources to broaden its s support to organisations reflecting the diverse populations that are present in the West Midlands.”
JLR have agreed to support the charity to purchase a new CCTV system to enhance the safeguarding for users of the centre and a cooker to increase its the capacity to provide inhouse meals.
Joe said, “I was looking forward to this meeting but didn’t expect it to be so informative we hope it is just the start of a longer relationship.”
The pair were invited to return to see the benefit of the investment later in the year when the items are in place.
Posted 22.06.2023
Windrush Day marks the 75th anniversary of the arrival of MV Empire Windrush at the Port of Tilbury, near London, on 21 June 1948. However, passengers disembarked a day later 22 June 1948 – hence why this has come to be known as Windrush Day.
HMT Empire Windrush is best remembered today for bringing one of the first large groups of post-war West Indian immigrants to the United Kingdom. The ship carried 1027 passengers and two stowaways on a voyage from Jamaica to London in 1948.
Posted 15.06.2023.
Amongst those attending the discussion were The Liverpool legend John Barnes and BBC Anchor Clive Myrie talking about Windrush catch it on BBC Radio 4 on 26th June 11am
John Barnes gets a warm welcome to West Bromwich African Caribbean Resource Centre
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Posted 26.05.2023
Do you have caring responsibilities for someone in your family that has a disability or long term health condition, you may be a grandparent who has caring responsibilities for your grandchildren so your children can go to work and provide for their family, then why not join our Carers Coffee Morning On Tuesday 6th of June 2023, at the West Bromwich African Caribbean Resource Centre from 10:30am till 12.30pm.
CLICK ON LINK BELOW TO OPEN FLYER
For more information, please contact:
Deska Howe – Health & Well Being Divisional Manager either by email to deska.howe@wbacrc.org.ukor by phone on: 0121 525 9177 (Select Option 1: Health & Well Being Division
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Posted 25.10.2022
We have been living black history in our day centre with people who have brushed shoulders with icons. Take a listen
We had a great day in our day care session with Jason Averil and Lloyd staff from the Wesleyan Foundation who gave up their day to join us celebrating Black History to listen to the real Windrush stories from those who experienced it . Take a listen
We mark the 90th Birthday of our Treasurer Mrs Hyacinth Jarrett and wish her all the best on this milestone birthday. Many happy returns and thank you for your support over the 5 Decades of your involvement with West Bromwich African Caribbean Resource Centre
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Posted 5.8.2022
Great to see West Bromwich African Caribbean Resource Centre represented at the Commonwealth games by Michael Henderickson who is a volunteer greeter at the new Sandwell Aquatics Centre. Michael is a valued member of our staff team having initially been a volunteer with us and the Kuumba centre. He is enjoying the experience and will have some stories to tell we hope.
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Posted 30.06.2022
Please can you clap for one of our heros. Malvia is a home care worker who found a client unresponsive when attending a care visit .Thankfully, she was able to remember what she had been trained to do in her emergency CPR training. With guidance of a 999 operator Malvia successfully applied CPR using chest compressions and mouth to mouth breaths and was able to get the client breathing again. She said "I had been doing the training and everything just kicked in and thank God I was able to revive them".
Pictured: Malvia and Shane Ward (CEO)
Malvia pop into the centre this week and we surprised her with a presentation "Thank You" some flower, chocolates and a gift voucher and card. It was well deserved. Well done Malvia.
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Posted 18.05.2022
Today we say farewell to our student placements Maryam and Eunique placements who completed their Health and Social Care levels 6 and 3 respectively pictured with Health and Wellbeing Divisional Manager Deska Howe. We thank you for your hard work and wish you both all the best for the future.
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Posted 18.05.2022
A welcome visit from Ben Cannon, Lee Arnold and Mike Florey of West Midlands Fire Service presenting a fire safety awareness session to our day service users and staff.
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Posted 10.05.2022
SAPPHIRE Hospital Support Worker - We have a vacancy for the following position located in our Health and Well Being Division. Open the link below to download the full Job Description & Spec.
Sapphire Hospital Support Worker - Job Description
If you would like to know more about the role or to receive an application pack call Deska Howe - Manager (Health & Well Being Divsion) on 0121 525 9177 select Opt 1. or Angela Mahabeer 0121 525 9177 Select Opt 5. Alternatively, open the link below to send your details to us and we will send you the application pack.
https://www.wbacrc.org.uk/forms.asp?id=2
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Posted 28.09.2021
As part of Black History Month, we will be celebrating the Resource Centre. We are inviting you to join us as we look back on the past 36 years of the West Bromwich African Caribbean Resource Centre.
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