OBADO remains a day centre and social club for older Black Africans and Caribbean people, meeting twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Holy Trinity Church Hall in Moston. OBADO continues to benefit the community by addressing social isolation and loneliness, particularly among the most vulnerable older individuals at risk of mental and physical decline within the Black and Caribbean communities. These individuals are encouraged and supported to leave their homes, socialise at the Day Centre, and engage in a variety of therapeutic activities designed to promote their mental and physical wellbeing. These activities include - Memory training (table games, word searches, quizzes) and simple exercise classes tailored to varying capabilities. - Handcraft activities such as card making, knitting, and crocheting to exercise fingers and improve eye-hand coordination. - Listening to uplifting music, reminiscence sessions (storytelling), dance from diverse cultures, and exercises to promote emotional wellbeing. - Cooking sessions featuring dishes from various cultures, with participants sharing their cooking skills to maintain cultural roots and celebrate diversity through food. - Cultural heritage celebrations, where older people are encouraged to bring and share food and presents on special occasions, promoting love and unity within the community. OBADO also recognised the importance of digital inclusion and provided older people with equipment and IT skills to enhance their lives. Older people can now engage on Zoom platforms and use mobile phones. OBADO reaches out to those who may lack confidence to socialise at the Day Centre by conducting weekly welfare checks, ensuring their general health is well-maintained. Home and hospital visits are conducted, and referrals are made to Manchester City Council, GPs, and other organisations for equipment, adaptations, home care support, and additional assistance as needed. OBADO also provides important contact numbers, including emergency services, dentist contacts, benefits departments, and OBADO's advice lines, along with information on how to stay safe. In addition to providing information on topics relevant to older people such as the importance of writing a will, having life insurance, setting up power of attorney, and raising awareness about mental and physical health. OBADO also offers one-to-one sessions to address health concerns. Furthermore, OBADO provides massage equipment at the Day Centre to support older people in maintaining their physical wellbeing. OBADO’s media presence has continued to grow across various platforms, including Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, and its own website. OBADO is steadily expanding and remains the premier organisation supporting up to 35 older Black Africans and Caribbean people in several areas across Manchester. OBADO is supported by three dedicated volunteers, four staff members, and two members of the governing body who monitor its activities to ensure compliance with established standards. OBADO continues to collaborate with other organisations in the wider community, including Manchester City Council (social services), NHS health professionals, local churches and charity organisations. OBADO is also an active member of the Mama Health and Poverty Partnership (MHAPP) working in partnership with 10 organisations that provide culturally sensitive services to communities across Greater Manchester. Through MHAPP, OBADO has offered placements to students over the years. This collaboration has resulted in mutual benefits with shared knowledge and insights on cultural diversity, fostering strong working relationships.

OBADO’s stakeholders include service users (older Black individuals), their families, friends, and carers. OBADO continues to foster a strong sense of ownership and influence among its service users. This is achieved by ensuring that all staff and volunteers are aware of the need to maintain a listening and responsive approach. This is emphasized during staff induction and reinforced through ongoing training sessions and activities. Additionally, OBADO regularly gathers feedback through various channels: Annual feedback forms that service users complete in the comfort of their own homes, supported by their families. Survey questionnaires conducted periodically. Verbal feedback from service users, families, and carers. Testimonials from older people, which help inform and guide OBADO’s ongoing practices. Evidence of Need: OBADO has been operating in Greater Manchester since 2018, delivering culturally appropriate support services to older Black Africans and Caribbean people, many of whom are first-generation immigrants now living with dementia and declining mobility. The demand for OBADO’s services has steadily increased, from 35 to 45 service users, as OBADO provides a safe space that promotes inclusion and empowerment. This helps to reduce social isolation and marginalisation. The culturally sensitive support and activities OBADO offers have significantly built confidence, encouraged, and empowered service users to stay connected to their community, roots, and heritage. OBADO values the feedback received from service users, families, and carers, and uses it to continually improve services. Some key actions taken in response to feedback include: Improvement of Activities: Based on feedback from service users regarding the physical limitations some face, OBADO has introduced a wider range of low-impact exercise options, such as chair yoga and gentle stretching sessions. This ensures that all service users, regardless of mobility, can actively participate in physical wellbeing activities. Service users expressed an interest in cultural food-related activities. In response, OBADO has expanded its cooking sessions to include more recipes from diverse African and Caribbean cultures, allowing participants to connect with their heritage and share their food traditions with others. Enhancing Digital Inclusion: Some service users indicated they were struggling with the transition to digital platforms, particularly in using Zoom for virtual events. In response, OBADO introduced one-on-one IT support sessions where staff or volunteers assist older people with setting up devices and navigating Zoom. This has helped increase participation in virtual activities and connected those who cannot attend in person. Feedback on Welfare Services: After receiving feedback that some service users were unaware of local support services, OBADO improved its referral process by providing more thorough information on available community resources. This includes a comprehensive directory of local services that is regularly updated and shared with service users and their families. Additionally, based on feedback, OBADO has initiated a monthly home check-in service, where volunteers make additional phone calls to check on the health and wellbeing of service users who may not attend regularly, ensuring they remain connected and supported. Increased Collaboration with Families: Families of service users have expressed a desire for more family-oriented events and ways to better involve them in OBADO’s activities. In response, OBADO has begun to host family days where families are invited to participate in activities and meals, strengthening the bond between service users and their loved ones while promoting a sense of community.

No remuneration was received

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration