The Centre for Cultural & Care Excellence (3CE), Bradford 2013-2023, is a 10 year visionary project, facilitated by RAFFA Development Agency and hosted by Church of God Prophecy (COGOP), Nehemiah UCHA, providing Capital Project Management whose experience and commitment extends beyond affordable housing, into working in partnership with organisations to develop programmes which bring lifelong learning to create sustainable employment, training and skills opportunities. The CCE Master plan has been designed by Niemen Architects through a series dialogues organised by ENAsbs, community involvement and social action activities.
The community involvement process for the establishment of “3CE”, is championed by Passing the Baton JSTAR youth ambassadors. The Youth Ambassadors will also be responsible for delivering the key messages on self-reliance, cultural confidence and building alliances across generations. They have already identified key activities that meet the aspirations of young people including a music studio, enterprise training & skills suites, physical fitness activities, technology centre and facilities for performing & visual arts.
The development of CCE, has been under-pinned by strategic action on both infrastructure and effective programme delivery through knowledge transfer and Learning sets from RAFFA’s award winning “Passing the Baton 2012 Inspire programme: ”inspiring peaceful, caring and enterprising neighbourhoods”. Key themes focus on:
- Volunteering for social action.
The “3CE” vision was launched by The Lord Mayor of Bradford Cllr. Dale Smith also in attendance was Her Excellency Ms. Francine Baron, Commissioner of Dominica at the “African & Caribbean Communities Empowerment” Day, Bradford City Hall on Friday 26th April 2013.
For more information: admin@raffa.org.uk or Jerome James on e: enasbs@msn.com or Tel. 07786 445350
RAFFA, introduces new approach to widening access to primary care services, support for Patient champions and improving public understanding about food, nutrition and healthier lives and its impact on :
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Heart Health
- Mental Health
- Prostate Cancer
- Social Care
British Heart Foundation Gospel Choir
A demonstration of RAFFA Health & Wellbeing, integrated cultural and care system will be showcased in partnership with British Heart Foundation to launch the British Heart Foundation Gospel Choir, to tackle high blood pressure, stroke and type 2 diabetes, amongst people of African Caribbean descent.
Health & Wellbeing Forums
Bradford Health & Wellbeing Forum are pioneering events that feature exhibits, screening and testing. Also providing information, user- advice and support for prevention, self-care skills and healthier lives. The new Health & Wellbeing Forums in Croydon, Enfield, Hackney, Harrow and Lambeth have been modelled on the Bradford Health & Wellbeing Forum.
Reverse Commissioning
The Forums will act as community partners for “reverse commissioning” designed by the NHS to better engage BME Communities.
For more information : admin@raffa.org.uk
RAFFA and Blood for Life Foundation with leading Diaspora NGO, Grenada Voluntary Hospital Committee (London) have successfully donated specialist medical equipment for blood transfusion services in Grenada. The relationship-building between the organisations was inspired by Her Excellency Ruth Elizabeth Rouse, High Commissioner for Grenada.
RAFFA and Blood for Life established an MOU to collaborate within the UK, Africa and the Caribbean to enhance the Health & Wellbeing of all communities. To work together to reduce health inequalities and share knowledge, skills and experience across institutions, cultures, sectors and continents.
The Health & Wellbeing Panel (HWP) is hosted by COGOP in partnership with ENAsbs who are responsible for co-ordinating the “Get The Facts” campaign of local involvement activities including conferences, screen & tests, workshops and knowledge sharing sessions.
The Health & Wellbeing Panel is made up of ‘individuals and organisational members. It has been set up by RAFFA Health & Wellbeing to enhance the role of Faith Communities proven track record of achievement in raising awareness and improving public understanding of food, nutrition and lifestyle choices and it’s impact on:
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Mental Health
- Sickle Cell
- Social Care
The Health & Wellbeing Panel is the lead “Community Partner” for the Reverse Commissioning process for improving relationships between health & social care professionals and the public. The Panel will use Patient Experience and feedback to advise and help design better integrated care pathways through innovative multi-professional and cross-cultural collaboration and practice.
“Get The Facts” campaign will educate, encourage and inspire greater involvement in the improvement in health and wellbeing, and ensure the authentic voice of African and Caribbean individuals and communities, are heard by local statutory bodies and Healthwatch relating to their needs, expectations, experience and aspirations as carers, patients and service-users.
For more information: admin@raffa.org.uk
Devon Thomas, Director, Passing the Baton Legacy Programme ( South London ), co-ordinated a successful ‘Brixton Bolt’ on Saturday 27th October to celebrate Usain Bolt’s achievements. It was a fun event and some exemplary young people were Passed the Baton in the spirit of “inspiring peaceful, caring and enterprising neighbourhoods”.
Passing the Baton South London also participated in Croydon Black History Month Annual event on 30th October, with Robin Walker and Passed the Baton to “Tabula Rasa”, a youth organisation based at Samuel Coleridge Taylor Centre. Passing the Baton returned to Deptford Lounge for the launch of the Lewisham Race Equality Initiative with Mayor Sir Steve Bullock, who recognised “Passing the Baton” as the kind of initiative that was needed to inspire young people into the public arena.
Devon Thomas, Executive Director, said “ We are pleased that Passing the Baton Inspire Mark has been extended until December 2013. Early next year we will host a “Look back to 2012” event to inform us on how we are going to approach RIO’2016” with the themes “celebrate, collaborate and make friends”.
