Enfield Caribbean Association

Programmes

Summer Day Trip

Each year the ECA organises a Summer Day Trip for all members, their friends and families.

2019's sell-out trip was to the delightful coastal resort of Eastbourne. We usually have two coaches, which make morning pickups from convenient locations within the borough, returning our day trippers in the early evening.

Careers Days

Since 2018 the ECA has been holding Careers Days in Enfield schools. These have taken place at Bush Hill Park Primary School, Enfield Grammar Secondary School and Heron Hall Secondary School.

The focus of the day for the secondary school pupils is on preparing year 8 or 9 students as they explore their subject options for the GCSEs. We aim to raise the aspirations of the students by introducing them to a range of mentors from a wide range of professions, businesses and careers. Pupils meet the volunteer mentors individually in small groups, they are also able to engage in personalised workshops in larger groups. The workshops have covered poetry and writing, computer app design and the veterinary service.
The feedback from students and staff at the schools has been extremely positive.

We are planning to run Careers days in Enfield primary schools this year. We look forward to working with Heron Hall Academy to plan a careers fair on Thursday 1 February. 9.30-12 noon.

If you are interested in joining the team of professionals going into schools please email info@theeca.org.uk or call 07908 600420.

Befriending Service

The ECA's Befriending Service project ran from April 2019 to January 2020. The project was supported by a grant from Enfield Council. The befriending programme offered a service primarily to elderly Caribbean residents of Enfield and to people who were identified as having particular needs, usually involving social isolation.

We offered face-to-face befriending. Matching volunteer befrienders from the local community with a befriended person. Befrienders meet the befriended in their home for one or two hours a week or make trips to places of interest. Feedback from our befriended was very positive and if funds permit, we hope to run this project again in the future.

Luncheon Club

The ECA Luncheon club provides a Caribbean lunch, an opportunity to socialise, games and an age-appropriate exercise class in a warm, safe, welcoming environment.

The ECA Luncheon Club has reopened and moved to a new venue. We have put measures in place to ensure it is a safe environment. It takes place at Green Towers Community Centre, Plevna Rd, Edmonton Green N9 0TE from 12pm to 3pm. (Next to Edmonton Green Shopping Centre).

The luncheon club opens the first three Fridays of every month.

In addition to our weekly activities we have regular guest speakers and entertainers. Our speakers are experts in their field and can offer useful information and advice - past presentations have covered health and estate planning.

We celebrate festivals. At Christmas we have a traditional Christmas lunch withentertainment, members being welcome to invite their friends and families. We also plan to celebrate Windrush Day on Friday 24th June.

We welcome new members. For more information or to book a lunch, please email us at info@theeca.org.uk or call 07908 600420.

The over 50s Network

Enfield Caribbean Association Over 5O’s Network aims to raise the profile of the Caribbean over 50’s population, and to provide a platform where members can receive information and guidance. The network provides facilities where members can meet, socialise and keep in-touch. The network is also involved in with the Enfield Over 50s Forum activities where information can be accessed on issues related to economic concerns, health, social well-being, care in the community and many other problems pertinent to specific and cultural needs.

Below are some examples of how the Enfield Caribbean Association can help you to increase your social network, access information relevant to your circumstances and general outlook, to improve your health and well-being and preserve a positive focus on your cultural identity.

Enfield Over 50s Forum

The ECA is a member of Enfield over 50’s Forum which provides information from a multi-cultural aspect to the general over 50’s population in Enfield. The Forum also provides political debates on both local and national government issues. This entitles our members to attend their activities and events such as Monday morning cinema club at Cineworld, starting at 10.30am: entry £3.00.

Visit the Enfield Over 50's Forum

Cultural Trips

During the year the ECA also organises cultural trips for all members, their friends and families. In 2019 we sourced discounted tickets for the highly acclaimed West End play Nine Night. For those members requiring it, we arranged transport by minibus.

We have organised a trip to see Get Up Stand Up, the musical about Bob Marley’s life at the Lyric Theatre, Piccadilly on Wednesday 16th March for 30, of our members. As a community group we have been able to source discounted tickets. We are delighted to be able to take our senior citizens and those members requiring transport in a minibus.

Become a Volunteer

We are planning to develop a register of people to act as befrienders to the BME elderly in the Borough. Volunteers will be required to visit isolated elderly BME people in their homes to encourage and support them for 1/2 hours per week.