PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Over 50s Black Men Forum Receives Grant from City Bridge Foundation to Expand Health and Wellbeing Programme
Essex, 14/05/2025 – The Over 50s Black Men Forum (O5BM) is proud to announce that it has been awarded a substantial grant over five years from the City Bridge Foundation, London’s largest independent charity funder. The grant will support O5BM’s mission to tackle health inequalities by expanding its weekly physical activity programme for older Black men across London and surrounding areas.
This new funding—part of City Bridge Foundation’s Bridging Divides Programme—will enable O5BM to provide structured physical activities, including table tennis leagues, to help older Black men remain physically active and socially connected. The initiative targets the prevention and management of conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and mental health challenges disproportionately affecting this community.
Quotes
Enitan Kane, Chair of the Over 50s Black Men Forum, said: “We are grateful to City Bridge Foundation for recognising the urgent need to support older Black men who are often left behind in mainstream health and wellbeing provision. This grant will help us scale our impact, empower our members, and continue building a connected brotherhood that supports healthier, more dignified lives.”
The programme will focus on expanding physical activity centres in London boroughs identified through O5BM’s partnership with Table Tennis England and Local Councils.
Paul Martinelli, City Bridge Foundation Chair, said: “We’re really pleased to be able to support O5BM to expand its work and to help even more older black men boost their physical and mental health and build social connections.”
Notes to editors
About Over 50s Black Men Forum
The Over 50s Black Men Forum(O5BM) was formed in 2018 in Essex as a constituted non-profit community organisation to provide a support network and services for Black Men in the UK aged 50+ (https://o5bmforum.org.uk).
The organisation is a pioneering community organisation that is taking a leading role in bringing together older black men in identifying and addressing issues of concern to them, such as fear of isolation, loneliness, health issues, job security fears and anxiety of growing old.
It plays a leading role in offering services that helps the reduction in Economic, Health and Social inequalities faced by this marginalised demography.
About City Bridge Foundation
City Bridge Foundation is a 900-year-old London-based charity that owns and maintains five of the capital’s key Thames crossings—Tower Bridge, London Bridge, Southwark Bridge, Millennium Bridge, and Blackfriars Bridge—at no cost to the taxpayer
As London’s largest independent charitable funder, City Bridge Foundation awards over £30 million annually to initiatives that tackle inequality and strengthen communities across Greater London. Its new ten-year funding policy, Standing with Londoners, launched in March 2025, focuses on supporting Londoners through financial and non-financial means.
Further information
For more information, please contact:
Edwina Chukura
Membership and Events Manager
Over 50s Black Men Forum
+44 (0)7488 352736
edwina@o5bmforum.org.uk
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