Sunderland African Community Alliance (SACA)

SACA was set up to support primarily people of global majority living in Sunderland. We also support non-African or BAME community members who can benefit from our services. We exist to reduce isolation, improve wellbeing, and promote social and economic inclusion for families who often face barriers due to social economic barriers, cultural differences, or lack of access to mainstream services.

We work especially to support:

• Families facing hardship.
• Children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Adults facing poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion.
• People who feel disconnected from their cultural identity or community.

Our main aim is to build a stronger, more inclusive community where African and Global majority families feel supported, empowered, and proud of their heritage.

To achieve this, we run a range of practical and culturally sensitive activities, including:

• Food bank sessions that provide culturally appropriate staples to families in need.
• Employability workshops that help people build confidence, learn new skills, and find work.
• Youth mentoring and empowerment projects that support young people to become leaders and changemakers.
• Physical activities and wellbeing sessions for children to improve health and social skills.
• Cultural events and storytelling sessions that celebrate African heritage and bring people together.
• We also offer one-to-one support, signposting, and advocacy to help people navigate challenges like housing, education, and mental health.

Our work is grounded in lived experience, and we are led by people who understand the struggles of marginalisation first-hand. Everything we do is designed to restore
dignity, build resilience, and create lasting change for the communities we serve.