Owning our past, present and future

Reclaiming narratives – this year's theme for Black History Month – is important to us because it aligns with The Selby Trust's mission of working with and empowering communities who are often marginalised in society.

This helps in fostering appropriate representation, challenging stereotypes, building solidarity and advocating for systemic change, as well as cultural preservation.

The Selby Trust continues to play a significant role in supporting the BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) community through various initiatives, both locally and across London, so as well as reclaiming our past, we can strengthen our present so that the community can look forward to a promising future.

One culture, many communities

Located in Tottenham and within walking distance to over 78,000 people, the trust was formed in the 1990s at the Selby Centre, a former secondary school, by the late Bernie Grant MP – best known as the first Black British MP.

He was elected in 1987 and created The Selby Trust to support the local community.

As our strapline of ‘’One culture, many communities’’ suggests, we’re continuing to support those most in need locally through the activities and outreach provision in place.

We are there for our community by continually advocating for the needs and rights of BAME individuals, by helping to amplify their voices and by ensuring they are represented in decision-making processes.
 

The large majority of staff, as well as other organisations and groups using our premises, are from the local area as community is at the forefront of what we do.

We provide various services and facilities to support local residents and organisations.

This often includes spaces for community events, activities and meetings, as well as resources for education, employment support and social services.

These centres typically play a vital role in fostering community engagement and development by supporting cultural activities and events that celebrate the heritage of BAME communities, fostering pride and a sense of belonging, which is key to the Selby Trust.

We also run free activities in our local area. These include dance sessions for the elderly, fun day activities and events, plus training sessions on job interviews and finance wellbeing to students from the local sixth form college.

But there's more!

Working together for local enhancement  

We also operate the Selby Food Hub, a programme that was established at the start of the pandemic and that currently helps 150 families by providing access to food packs and essential items on a weekly basis.

Our Global Garden hosts fruits and vegetables from across the world, providing healthy food for those attending our food bank, as well as access to a unique open space at the heart of our community.

Now named Selby Ventures, our business-to-business support programme, we help local small and medium-sized organisations and start ups with free workshops and tailored business support, aiding and fostering growth in partnership with Kingston University.

Support has ranged from marketing and Search Engine Optimisation help, access to grants and bid writing, and a second phase will be kickstarting this autumn.

We facilitate connections between individuals and local grassroots organisations, creating pathways for collaboration and support within the community.

We also offer educational programmes and training opportunities that equip individuals with skills for employment, enhancing their economic prospects, like CV-writing workshops, and this autumn we’re offering free IT training to locals who may need to improve their digital skills most.

This will be an opportunity to help users with basics skills like learning how to use their IT devices to boost employability prospects and to access digital resources to tackle the levels of digital poverty in the immediate community.

Initiatives focused on health awareness and mental wellbeing address specific challenges faced by the BAME community.

Since 2021, we’ve been continuing to run regular and free holiday programmes for local children aged five to 16 through Selby Active.

Through both sport and enrichment provision, we’ve delivered activity to 900+ unique participants with free access to activities that would, otherwise, not be available for local young people. 

And we’re also working in partnership with the NHS to deliver blood transfusion and liver screening sessions on-site and with Endometriosis UK to raise awareness among the community of endometriosis.

It’s an exciting time for us as we press ahead with plans for the Selby Urban Village, a new centre, council housing and spaces for businesses to thrive, plus improved community facilities and leisure space for local people to enjoy.

This will continue to be a place for the community, by the community.