Suffolk support group for black communities marks five-year anniversary

Founder Funmilayo Akinriboya created BME Suffolk Support Group in 2018

A group that supports black, Afro-Caribbean and minority communities in Suffolk is marking its five-year anniversary.

The BME Suffolk Support Group (BSSG) was formed in 2018, with a focus on meeting the needs of the community.

It has grown to run projects in Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds and Mildenhall.

The group, which has been described as a "family", has established six programmes across communities.

It was originally set up in 2018 by Funmilayo Akinriboya.

She said: "It started as a pilot project to see why the BME community are not integrating into the service that is available.

"We have now established six programmes based on the needs that have been identified across the whole community that we serve.

"It includes the foodbank, the café, the youth project, the drop-in session that provides advice and support, a library and a monthly gathering to address social isolation.

"We want people to know how this programme comes into being and also to continue to meet the community needs."

'We're a family'

The group has many volunteers working on the projects, including Henriette Uiras, who works in the food pantry.

She said the group helped her during the pandemic.

"I was going through a crisis during Covid. I saw what BME were doing and I ordered a food parcel. When they delivered it to me, I was shocked because I never knew about food parcels," she said.

"I told them I wanted to volunteer and made friends. I was very lonely, and we're a family."

The food bank the group calls the African Food Pantry was started during Coronavirus lockdown and never came to an end

Mrs Akinriboya said the support group had played a significant role in helping minority groups integrate.

She said: "We know that we have become the bridge between the mainstream organisation and the grassroots.

"Without BME, many families wouldn't have got what they have now that have improved their family life."

The group is marking its five-year anniversary on Saturday at the Manor Ballroom in Ipswich.

The group was recognised at BBC Radio Suffolk's Make A Difference Awards this year, winning The Together Award

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