Brief History

Bedfordshire African Community Centre (BACC) was established in 2002 to provide support and advocacy to the African Communities living in the Luton and Bedfordshire areas.

BACC was set up to meet the needs of African community members by developing and promoting the integration of Black African and other disadvantaged groups into the wider community with the same, equal  access to services and opportunities.

 

Organisation Aims

To empower, support and assist individuals and minority groups from the African Continent including Asylum Seekers, Migrant Workers and Refugees living in Luton and Bedfordshire to develop skills and values that are needed in the wider community and to support them to play a full part in the life of the mainstream community in Luton and Bedfordshire.

 

Organisation Objects

To promote the benefit of African people living in Luton, Bedfordshire and surrounding areas regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, race, political, religious or other opinions by associating together the said African people and the local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to advance education and provide facilities in the interest of social welfare for recreation and leisure time  occupation with the object of improving the condition of life for the African people.

To relieve the suffering of people in the African Sub-Saharan countries who are in need, hardship or distress and assist in the recovery of those who are sick, convalescent, disabled or infirm.

 

Vision Statement

BACC aims to meet the needs of African community members by developing and promoting the integration of African and other disadvantaged groups into the wider community through a programme of information, advice, support and services.

 

The services/activities of the organisation are:

  • Provision of INFORMATION AND ADVICE to asylum seekers, refugees and new migrants families of African origin on issues affecting them (this covers welfare benefits, health service, housing, employment, education and training)
  • Provision of ADVOCACY services for refugees, asylum seekers and new migrant families
  • TRANSLATION and INTERPRETATION services to individuals and statutory, public and voluntary sector organisation
  • INCLUSIVE PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES to encourage the participation of community members and their families in activities
  • Provision of LEARNING SUPPORT for African children/young people, and assistance to families in accessing relevant local services related to their children’s education by outreach service
  • Provision of SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE to asylum seekers who still awaiting a decision with no entitlement to welfare benefits by providing basic services;

ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO AFRICAN COMMUNITY GROUPS or projects by providing information, advice on setting up, funding.

 

Strategic Organisation Objectives

SO1     To address the mental health and well being issues faced by Black Africans including refugees, asylum seekers and new migrants to Luton and the surrounding area of Bedfordshire through outreach and drop in facilities

SO2     To provide advice, advocacy and information on statutory, public and voluntary sector services to Africans living in the Luton & Bedfordshire area through advice sessions, surgeries, developing advice and support services literature in common African languages

SO3     To provide a signposting support service to organisations that provide advice on welfare, benefits, housing and employment to enable Africans to fully access services in the County and Luton

SO4     To provide an interpretation and translation service to enable African people living in Luton & Bedfordshire to access information, advice and support from statutory, public and voluntary sector organisations

SO5     To provide information, advice and support service to African families and individuals to access education and health services

SO6     To provide an emergency welfare support service to African people in immediate need, living in Luton & Bedfordshire

SO7     To provide learning & training opportunities including ICT and life skills to African people including young people in Luton and Bedfordshire

SO8     To create opportunities for social interaction and develop community cohesion for African people living in Luton & Bedfordshire including facilities to encourage young Africans to develop holistic life skills and integration into the community

Organisation Legal Structure

BACC is both a registered Charity (Registration number 1097995) and a Company Limited by Guarantee (Registration number 4441516).  The Organisation is managed by a Board of Directors and Trustees.