ABOUT US

The African Cultural Association (ACA) was founded in
1984 and was registered in 1995 with the Charity Commission as a non-profit making organisation to provide advice
and information to residents in the London Borough of
Barnet area, particularly those of African and Caribbean origin, experiencing difficulties in various areas of their
day-to-day lives.

Our services cover advice on income support, housing, immigration, health, bereavement, employment, legal services, education , racial harassment and debt management. In addition, the Association seeks to promote awareness of different cultures in multicultural Britain.

Through the provision of our services we encourage service users to come together to share their experiences and provide a support network for the community. By doing so, users not only forge friendships and learn from each other, but they also become better equipped to deal with future problems and are more aware of resources available to them.

The Association was awarded its first Quality Mark from the Legal Services Commission in April, 2000 and its current award was issued in 2010. In the 16 years that the African Cultural Association has been in existence, it has helped over 350,000 people from diverse backgrounds to resolve problems and disputes and to help them to better cope with their day-to-day lives. Our service users come from all walks of life and we are proud to be able to offer specialist advice provided by experts in their field.

We give advice, guidance, training and support to the unemployed as well as lone parents,
and provide asistance to young people struggling with substance misuse, whose parents are unemployed and living in the Graham Park, Colindale and West Hendon wards, where poverty is at its highest. As part of our commitment to the wider community, we organise women's groups and youth-centred activities on a regular basis, and put together cultural activities during prominent black festivals and events e.g. Black History Month and the Notting Hill Carnival.

The African Cultural Association is also committed to working with the elderly, people with learning/physical disabilities, and those with mental health issues and special needs. Other areas of assistance include youth transitions where advice and information on care issues are required, and liaising with the Department of Works and Pensions and Social Services to provide the community as a whole with resources to help the promotion of stable and independent living among vulnerable people.

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