African & Caribbean Community Health Network (ACCHN)
Advocating Equity In Health And Access To Mainstream Services For African & Caribbean Residents In Waltham Forest
Our Focus In 2025
Due to the positive feedback from participants over three months and end of project case study in 2024, we recognised that this was only the first stage of the process to ensure African, and Caribbean communities in Waltham Forest achieve equity in health. Most importantly to promote inclusion to address health inequalities and eliminate barriers that prevent access to standardised healthcare and other related services.
If we do not take the necessary steps to create better health outcomes for the African, and Caribbean communities there will be greater demand on the NHS limited resources to treat and manage health conditions like stroke, hypertension, diabetes. It is vital that younger adults 18+ are encouraged to change lifestyle and to understand the risks to health. In particular men’s wellbeing 50+, family history of prostrate cancer.
Our goals are to reach residents living in Leyton and Leytonstone who lack access to culturally appropriate services and activities. Consult the wider African, and Caribbean communities about the relevance and propose of ACCHN. Opening dialogue with African, and Caribbean organisations and groups to explore partnerships. Residents Involved in the monthly Feedback forum to enable community engagement, invite speakers, and opportunities to participate in project development.
Planned activities April – December 2025 are as follows: Monthly Feedback Forum 4th Thursday, ACCHN Where Next? Consultation, Nutrition Food & Gut Health (2), Men’s Wellbeing – 3 Generations Awareness, Inner Outer Health and Caring 4 Holistic Health.
Our overall aim is to ensure that the African, and Caribbean residents are included, recognised as active participants within the wider community.
To participate in the ACCHN project please register and book events it’s free and open to adults 18+.
ACCHN Project 2024
In 2024 started the process of addressing health and social inequalities experienced by the African, and Caribbean residents in Waltham Forest, working with local and national collaborative partners. We delivered a series of health / cultural interventions reaching segments of the African, and Caribbean communities in Leyton, Leytonstone, Walthamstow and Chingford.
Our programme ran from 6 February – 24 April 2024 and was very successful. Covering the following themes Nutrition and Health 4 sessions, Drum Circle Connect 3 sessions, Jonkonu Mask Making and Movement 1 session. Health events (3) Health Equity and Prevention part 1 and 2, Caring 4 Health.
A Big Thank You! To Residents who took part and gave valuable feedback that helped to secure an extension to funding for 2025. Also, our funder London Borough of Waltham Forest, Leyton Orient Trust and their Community Health Champions who supported the project over the three months. Local and national collaborative partners, it was truly groundbreaking.
Participants Comments:
Nutrition and Health Workshop – “Tutor was very good and informative this is a good thing for this community which does not always get this sort of service care and well organised. Thanks to Joan and Sonia for organising these classes.“
Drum Circle Connect Workshop – “This was an excellent and inclusive activity. I felt energised and uplifted by the end of the session. Thank you so much for facilitating this drumming circle.“
Mask Making and Movement Workshop – “I enjoyed the activity, exchanges and interactions between the participants about masquerades and carnival customs in the Caribbean.“
Health Equity & Prevention Part Two – “The activity has been amazing and informative I am privileged to have been in attendance. It was also a very interactive session as well.“