Background

Nubian Life serves African and African-Caribbean Elders known as the Windrush Generation – those who migrated to Great Britain in the 1950s, then aged between twenty and thirty-five. Most did not intend to stay. Their expectations were to save enough money from their working life in Britain and to return to their homes during old age. However, many never returned, but have remained in Britain for their retirement years.

From Hammersmith and Fulham Black Senior Citizens (HFBSC) to Nubian Life

Nubian Life first began as Hammersmith and Fulham Black Senior Citizens. In 1983, its original objectives were to provide leisure, recreational and educational activities to the active elders within the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham one evening a week. Due to the popularity of the group, the user-led committee was awarded a grant by Social Services to provide daytime actives and a luncheon club in 1990. The Carib Luncheon Club flourished with referrals being placed by social workers, health workers and also self-referrals.

In 1990 the Hammersmith & Fulham Black Senior Citizens saw a huge rise in the number of referrals for its services for elders with medium to high care needs. Unfortunately due to building, budgetary and staff restraints, the group was unable to provide services to these types of elders.

When the Community Care Act became law in 1993, Hammersmith & Fulham was one of 15 local authorities who were successful in securing money under the Department of Health Caring for People Who Live at Home Initiative.

During this period the department recognised that the majority of mainstream services were not appropriate to meet the community care needs of Asian and African Caribbean elders.

After consultation with local organisations the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham tendered for voluntary and statutory organisation to place bids in respect of managing the new proposed resource centre for African Caribbean elders.

The Hammersmith & Fulham Black Senior Citizens successful tendered for the Resource Centre in 1995 and changed its name to Nubian Life, but still incorporated the charitable objectives of HFBSC.

Since then Nubian Life has grown into a successful specialist resource centre, with an impressive history of meeting the key objectives of advocating and providing for the diverse needs of our elders.