Black History Month – Community Spotlight
To celebrate Black History Month, our Investing in Health team are highlighting the brilliant work of Black-Led charities and non-profits in Newham and east London.
This Community Spotlight is a snapshot of each organisation, what they do, the impact they make and how you can get involved.
Check out the organisations below, and click the links to find out more!
Bridging Barriers
ClockiT Boxing
East London Caribbean Voice
E6-Sisters Community
Grappling with Life
Revival House
Community Spotlight
Bridging Barriers
Bridging Barriers supports underrepresented young people aged 16-25, with strong roots in Newham and East London.
They work with young people from ethnic minority and lower socioeconomic backgrounds who face barriers to employment, professional networks and career opportunities.
Through mentoring, employer insight days and career development activities, Bridging Barriers help them build confidence, develop skills and access opportunities, connecting them with professionals and employers who can support their next steps.
Abid’s Story
Abid wanted to secure an apprenticeship, but setbacks made it difficult to keep going. Through Bridging Barriers’ Turning Point programme, he was matched with his mentor, Perri. Together, they set goals, worked through applications and practised interviews. Perri helped Abid recognise his strengths and encouraged him to keep applying.
Abid went on to secure a Cyber Security apprenticeship with Transport for London. Reflecting on his experience, he credited his mentor’s practical advice, mock interviews and ongoing encouragement as integral to achieving this outcome.
His story shows how consistent, personalised support can help a young person turn ambition into opportunity.
Support their Work
Bridging Barriers welcomes donations to help more young people access mentoring and career opportunities, or introduce them to employers who could partner with Bridging Barriers.
They would welcome connections with organisations that can fund their programmes, provide mentors or offer insight days and work experience.
Your support could help another young person like Abid take their next step.
ClockiT Boxing CIC
ClockiT Boxing CIC empowers young people across Newham, Redbridge and London through non-contact boxing fitness and mentoring.
ClockiT Boxing deliver free community sessions school workshops sports days and pop‑up events that build confidence mental resilience discipline and self‑belief in a safe inclusive space.
ClockiT Boxing’s work has made a real difference across London supporting over 250 young people and bringing more than 60 together at our August sports day alone.
They’ve turned doubt into confidence, hesitation into pride and isolation into belonging whilst watching quiet young.
ClockiT Boxing CIC are looking for support through donations, sharing about their work and helping them to build recognition and expand their services.
- Email: clockitboxing@gmail.com
- Instagram: @clockit_boxing
- Facebook: @clockit_boxing
East London Caribbean Voice CIC
East London Caribbean Voice CIC is a community organisation based in East London, created from a Caribbean heritage but welcoming and supporting people from all backgrounds.
They use culture, arts, music, storytelling, dance and community activities to bring people together, reduce isolation and promote wellbeing, inclusion and community connection.
They provide opportunities for children, young people, families and older residents to participate, learn new skills and celebrate diverse cultures. Through our programmes, partnerships and community events, we create safe spaces where people can express themselves, build confidence, develop friendships and feel valued.
Their aim is simple: out of many, one people together we grow and empower each other.
Children and Family Community Programmes
At their children and family community programmes, they brought together children from different cultural backgrounds to participate in arts, sports, music, dance and cultural activities.
Through these programmes, children have gained confidence, developed new skills and formed friendships in a safe and welcoming environment.
East London Caribbean Voice supported families who may otherwise struggle to access affordable activities during school holidays, helping children stay active, engaged and connected to their community.
Their work also provides opportunities to celebrate Caribbean, African and other cultures, while encouraging inclusion and understanding.
The positive feedback from participants has shown that creating these spaces can make a real difference to people’s wellbeing, confidence and sense of belonging.
Become part of their our growing community
They welcome people to volunteer, attend our activities and events, partner with them, support their programmes and help them reach more children, young people, families and older residents.
Partnerships
They would also encourage organisations and community groups to contact them about partnership opportunities and ways you can work together to create positive change.
Most importantly, they want people to see that everyone has something valuable to contribute. Whether through volunteering, sharing skills, supporting an event or simply getting involved, they invite everyone to join them as “out of many, one people together we grow and empower each other”.
- Email: eastlondoncaribbeanvoice@gmail.com
- Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/East-London-Caribbean-Voice-CIC/
E6-Sisters Community
E6-Sisters Community is a community-led organisation supporting everyone regardless of background or circumstances across Newham and East London.
E6-Sisters Community run a Community Pantry providing affordable food, essentials and hot meals, alongside practical administrative support to help families navigate services and opportunities.
Their Skills Hub creates pathways into learning, volunteering and employment, while our Young Leaders model enables children and young people to gain practical skills, confidence and leadership experience through real community projects.
They bring schools, families, volunteers and partners together to tackle everyday challenges, reduce waste, strengthen community connections and create opportunities for people to thrive.
Their impact has been recognised through:
- Newham Civic Awards
- Newham Business Awards
- National recognition through the Britain’s Small Business 100
- 2026 University of Greenwich Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award, won by their Founder, Funmy Adeojo
E6-Sisters Community would love people to connect with them by visiting their website, learning more about their work and getting involved.
They welcome volunteers, community partners, schools, businesses and organisations who can help them create more opportunities for local residents.
People can also support them through donations, partnerships, attending their community events or referring families who may benefit from their services.
Most importantly, they want people to share their work and help them reach more people who need support and opportunities.
- Website: https://www.e6sisters.co.uk/
- Email: e6sisters@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/e6sisters_pantry/
Grappling With Life CIC
Grappling With Life CIC uses Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) to support children and young people across Newham and East London.
Grappling With Life CIC provide affordable community classes, school workshops, and targeted martial arts and mentoring programmes.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling-based martial art focused on movement, balance and problem-solving, without punching or kicking. Through safe, structured sessions and positive relationships with trusted adults, Grappling With Life CIC help young people become more active, build confidence, develop resilience and self-control, and learn to work positively with others.
In 2025, Grappling With Life CIC, supported 138 children and young people through their regular Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu sessions and delivered 180 hours of activities across weekly classes, a summer programme, and school and community workshops.
Many participants arrived as complete beginners, without uniforms or previous access to the sport. By keeping sessions free or affordable, offering fully funded places through referrals, and awarding five free uniforms, they helped remove some of the financial barriers to participation.
Over the year, they watched young people grow in confidence, perseverance, coordination and sense of belonging.
One weekly class filled quickly, new friendships formed, and participants progressed from trying BJJ for the first time to developing fundamental skills and earning their first stripes.
This growth has enabled them to expand their work and develop a new martial arts and mentoring programme in Newham.
Check out their website to learn more about their classes, programmes and community work.
If you are a parent, school, community organisation, volunteer or potential supporter, they would love to hear from you and explore how you can get involved.
- Website: www.grapplingwithlife.org
- Facebook: @GrapplingWithLifeCIC
- Instagram: @grappling.with.life
Revival House
Revival House is a black-led community organisation based in Newham, supporting individuals and families facing poverty, food insecurity and social isolation.
They provide foodbank and community pantry support, offering affordable food with dignity and choice, alongside youth mentoring, women’s wellbeing activities, community events and practical support for refugees, asylum seekers, migrants and vulnerable families.
Their work is rooted in lived experience and focuses on strengthening communities, promoting inclusion, building confidence and creating opportunities for people to connect, thrive and feel a sense of belonging.
Women’s Wellbeing Event
Revival House supported women living in hotels and hostels, including women who have experienced domestic abuse and other difficult circumstances.
Women were offered free manicures, pedicures, haircuts and hairstyling. This gave them an opportunity to feel cared for, regain confidence and connect with others.
The event provided a trusted space for conversations about cervical and breast cancer awareness.
This led to women contacting their GPs for checks-ups, and Revival House developing knowledge of safe and supportive GPs for appropriate referrals.
The welcoming and informal space helped women feel comfortable discussing important health concerns and taking steps to access appropriate healthcare.
Want to support Revival House in practical ways that directly benefit local families and individuals in need?
Send them an email: joycem@reviveinitiatives.uk
Financial Donations
They would welcome funding and financial donations to help them sustain and expand their foodbank, pantry and other community projects.
Food Donations
They would also welcome donations of surplus food and essential household items, particularly dry foods such as beans, rice, sugar, spaghetti and pasta, as well as washing powder, baby nappies and wipes.
We would also welcome individuals, businesses and organisations who have excess food or useful supplies that they would like to donate rather than see go to waste.
Volunteer
People can also get involved by volunteering their time, supporting Revival House’s community activities and helping them reach more people.
Ideas
They are equally open to ideas, skills and partnerships and would love to hear from you if you have an idea about how they can improve the way they deliver their services or better support their community,
They would love your support to help them make a real difference in the lives of local people.
RnD Foundation
RnD Foundation is a UK-based not-for-profit organisation using creative arts as a catalyst for positive social change.
They support young people and disadvantaged communities facing socio-economic barriers, including poverty, crime, exclusion and limited access to opportunities.
Through creative arts, mentoring, skills development and community-based programmes, they provide positive outlets that build confidence, develop talent and create pathways to opportunity.
Their work empowers young people to recognise their potential, strengthen their skills and make positive choices for their futures.
At the heart of RnD Foundation is the belief that creativity can transform lives. They use our experience, networks and understanding of the creative industries to increase access and representation, particularly for Black, disadvantaged and underrepresented young people, while helping communities build the confidence and resources to create lasting change for themselves.
Creativity into Real Opportunities
One of the most meaningful ways RnD Foundation have made a difference is by turning creativity into real opportunities. They have provided free dance classes, mentorship and guidance to young people who may not otherwise have access to professional creative training or industry networks.
Their support goes beyond the classroom. They have been able to connect emerging talent with opportunities that have led to paid work and jobs within the creative industries, giving them the chance to gain experience, earn an income and build their confidence.
Seeing someone come through a free class or mentorship opportunity and then progress into paid professional work is exactly why found Royston Gooden created the Foundation.
RnD Foundation want young people to know that their creativity has value and, with the right access and support, it can become a genuine pathway towards their future.
Connect
Connect with RnD Foundation and help them create more opportunities for young people through the creative arts. Whether that’s through donating, volunteering, partnering with us, offering mentorship or providing work opportunities, every contribution can help us extend our reach.
Check out their website, follow their journey and share their work with others.
Most importantly, they want to connect with people and organisations who believe in the power of creativity to open doors and change lives.
- Website: https://rndcreatives.com/rnd-foundation/
- Email: foundation@rndcreatives.com
- Facebook: @rndfoundation
- Instagram: @rndcreatives
Fitter Finances: Investing in Health
Our Black History Month Community Spotlight has been brought to you by our Fitter Finances: Investing in Health team.
Fitter Finances: Investing in Health aims to enhance the financial stability and sustainability of grassroots organisations dedicated to promoting health and well-being.
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By partnering with us, your organisation can benefit from a range of tailored support services and advantages:
- Financial Empowerment
- Capacity Building
- Resource Repository
- Networking Opportunities
Find out more and get involved: www.aston-mansfield.org.uk/ffp-investing-in-health/
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