On 26th March in Luton, something meaningful took root. More than 45 grassroots leaders, public service advocates, and community organisers gathered, not just for training, but for connection, clarity, and a shared step forward.
Led by the Over 50s Black Men Forum (O5BM), this capacity-building workshop offered practical tools in governance, fundraising, and strategic partnerships. It also gave something far less tangible, but just as critical: space to think, speak, and collaborate freely.
Originally planned for just 12 groups, the event grew rapidly through word-of-mouth. The message was clear: the demand is real.
“This is what the community needs more of… everyone coming together and sharing knowledge.”
– Tara Curtis, NHS Recovery College
“Overdue, necessary, and the start of something much bigger.”
– Rev Dr Trevor Adams, Community Leader
“Today was really fantastic… All different groups wanting to know about funding and network at the same time. Very, very good. I look forward to further collaboration.” — Bob Baker, CEO, Heritage Associates CIC
A Quiet Movement, Gaining Ground
This wasn’t a typical “training session.” It was a grassroots blueprint in action – quiet, intentional, and grounded in lived experience. The pilot was designed using pre-session needs assessments and co-created content. Participants left with renewed confidence, practical insights, and most importantly, new connections.
- 100% of attendees want to return and attend a similar event
- 80% gained skills they’re already putting into practice
- Peer collaborations and follow-up partnerships already in motion
- 47% heard about the event through trusted personal referrals
This kind of people-led, place-based empowerment mirrors the values of programmes like Reaching Communities England:
- Building strong local relationships
- Improving spaces where communities connect
- Creating fairer access to opportunity
- Supporting lasting, community-driven change
O5BM’s work shows how even a single, well-designed session can help spark those outcomes in real time.
What’s Next: Scaling With Integrity
Driven by demand and grounded in learning, O5BM is now developing a 12-month national delivery programme that includes:
🗓️ Quarterly regional empowerment workshops
👥 One-to-one mentoring and advisory support
🧰 A practical digital capacity-building toolkit
📊 Ongoing tracking of community-led growth and impact
This isn’t about “more events.” It’s about co-creating an infrastructure model that equips small, mission-led groups to thrive, and not just to survive.
For Partners Who See the Bigger Picture
Thanks to previous support, such as from the National Lottery Community Fund (TNLCF), O5BM has tested and refined this approach. Now, we’re looking to work with new partners who want to:
- Champion community-led leadership
- Foster long-term resilience in underserved regions
- Back collaborative, high-trust infrastructure
- Help transform promising pilots into scalable models
If your mission touches equity, local impact, or inclusive growth, we welcome a conversation. Because when we support the organisations closest to community need, the ripple effect is powerful.
📩 Contact us: csr@o5bmforum.org.uk
🌐 Learn more: www.o5bmforum.org.uk
#O5BM #CommunityResilience #GrassrootsLeadership #CapacityBuilding #InfrastructureSupport #ReachingCommunities #Philanthropy #SocialImpact #CSR #UKCharities #EquityInPractice
