About the Organisation
marcusgarveydaycentre.co.uk
www.mojatufoundation.org
The Marcus Garvey Centre is a very well-know and well-used landmark in Nottingham. Originally built in 1931 as the headquarters of the Raleigh Bicycle Club, the building became the 400,000th Listed Building, designated at Grade II, by Historic England in August 2018. Renamed the Marcus Garvey Centre and managed by the West Indian Cavaliers Sports and Social Club since 1981, the building is now an 800-capacity venue and has been used for offices, public events, and social events for the African Caribbean community. The centre exists to promote and support the interests of people from the BAME communities by providing the necessary facilities, representing the interests of members via recreational sports and social events, and multiple youth services.
Nottingham City Council owns the building and upon the expiration of their lease in 1984, the West Indian Cavaliers and Social Club have had a rolling contact ever since, with Mojatu Foundation paying £15,000 a year rent for 25% of the building and the LA covers energy bills for the premises. Previous attempts to secure a new lease have been unsuccessful. Tenants and users established Marcus Garvey Centre CIC in 2022 to address the lease, repairs, maintenance, and sustainability of the centre. This represents an opportunity to restructure the ownership and management of the centre. Three small non-profits that have been responsible for running and campaigning to keep the Marcus Garvey Centre in public ownership are:
Marcus Garvey Day Centre: Day care service, catering primarily for the needs of older African and Caribbean citizens with dementia, physical, sensory, mental health disabilities, and other issues. It has served the community for over 30 years providing comfort for individual who are often isolated at home, sometimes with no relatives and who had no form of social enjoyment and connections. It provides culturally specific provision to meet the social, health and recreational needs of African Caribbean elders. Following possible closure by the LA in 2019, over 6,000 people signed the petition, and hundreds went on a march against the closure. There is a huge community support of retaining and improving the day centre.
PATRA Inc ACDA: A young people training and employment provider working with 16-25-year-olds from Caribbean, African, and other BAME communities.
Mojatu Foundation: A not-for-profit organisation serving the African and Caribbean communities of Nottingham. The foundation coordinates the large downstairs space at the centre, renting out 70% of the space to small start-ups. Their focus is on employability, training, community media, health, and wellbeing (e.g. tackling female genital mutilation), immigration services, and legal pro bono support for refugees and asylum seekers.
The three organisations came together under the banner of the Marcus Garvey Centre CIC, forming one overall committee for the centre.
Request details
The Marcus Garvey Centre CIC are undertaking a major plan of refurbishment to the landmark building that they occupy, enabling them to provide a full programme of community services and events for the African, Caribbean community and marginalized and minority groups locally.
As a service that is at the heart of the community, it is important for the centre to share these changes with local people.
The Marcus Garvey Centre CIC would therefore welcome offers of pro bono support with a new website and some advice on their comunications strategy as they proceed with their remodel/refurbishment.
Timeline
December 2024