The African Caribbean Community Initiative (ACCI)
Nominee Profile
Location: Wolverhampton
The African Caribbean Community Initiative is a mental health charity based in the heart of in Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton. Established in 1987 by the Rastafarian Progressive Association in response to concerns of the disproportionate levels of acute hospital admissions of people from the African Caribbean diaspora.
Over the years ACCI has grown to support people regardless of ethnic heritage and has been coined one of Wolverhampton’s ‘best kept secrets’. ACCI has been at the forefront of supportive services for individuals affected by mental ill health as well as continuing to raise awareness within the local community.
Our service provision includes:
• Omari Supported Housing – 23 supported housing units for those with complex dual needs
• Health and Wellbeing Hub – Supporting people daily by providing mental health support via our link worker, housing and welfare rights support, therapeutic activities to reduce isolation and loneliness whilst supporting holistic ‘mind body & soul’ wellbeing, creating a sense of community and belonging.
• Community Meal Delivery Service – Delivering hot, fresh and nutritious Caribbean-fusion meals to our members at the hub and in the surrounding community
• Specialist Outreach Support – Delivering over 2,600 outreach sessions in 2024
• Counselling and therapeutic services – Culturally appropriate and compassionate
• Carers Support Group – Boasting one of the largest carers groups in the UK, our carers group provides a safe space and forum for carers to share experiences and support one another.
The African Caribbean Community Initiative is not about who we support, it’s about how we support, with humanity and dignity. ACCI is not a timebound service as we know mental health is not a destination, it is a journey.
Over the years ACCI has grown to support people regardless of ethnic heritage and has been coined one of Wolverhampton’s ‘best kept secrets’. ACCI has been at the forefront of supportive services for individuals affected by mental ill health as well as continuing to raise awareness within the local community.
Our service provision includes:
• Omari Supported Housing – 23 supported housing units for those with complex dual needs
• Health and Wellbeing Hub – Supporting people daily by providing mental health support via our link worker, housing and welfare rights support, therapeutic activities to reduce isolation and loneliness whilst supporting holistic ‘mind body & soul’ wellbeing, creating a sense of community and belonging.
• Community Meal Delivery Service – Delivering hot, fresh and nutritious Caribbean-fusion meals to our members at the hub and in the surrounding community
• Specialist Outreach Support – Delivering over 2,600 outreach sessions in 2024
• Counselling and therapeutic services – Culturally appropriate and compassionate
• Carers Support Group – Boasting one of the largest carers groups in the UK, our carers group provides a safe space and forum for carers to share experiences and support one another.
The African Caribbean Community Initiative is not about who we support, it’s about how we support, with humanity and dignity. ACCI is not a timebound service as we know mental health is not a destination, it is a journey.