Arts for Survival CIC, an established Community Interest Company with a proven track record of delivering high-impact community events such as the BCP International Women's Day Symposium and Awards Gala, proposes the establishment of an annual African and Caribbean Food Festival in Poole, Dorset. This festival aims to be a vibrant celebration of African and Caribbean culinary traditions, music, arts, and heritage. Crucially, it seeks to serve as a significant annual reminder and acknowledgment of the historical Black presence in Poole, a fact often overlooked but deeply embedded in the town's past since the 17th century. By fostering cultural understanding, community cohesion, and economic opportunities, the Poole Africans & Caribbeans Fest will enrich the cultural landscape of Dorset and reinforce its diverse history.

Organisation Background: Arts for Survival CIC

Arts for Survival CIC is a dynamic Community Interest Company dedicated to empowering communities through arts, culture, and educational initiatives. Our mission is to promote cultural understanding, foster social cohesion, and provide platforms for diverse voices and talents. We achieve this by organising impactful events that bring people together, celebrate heritage, and address community needs.

Our flagship event, the BCP International Women's Day Symposium and Awards Gala, has successfully demonstrated our capability in:

• Securing significant partnerships and sponsorships.
• Managing complex logistics and large-scale public events.
• Engaging diverse community groups and stakeholders.
• Delivering high-quality, memorable experiences that achieve stated objectives.
• Ensuring robust financial management and reporting.

Our experience positions us uniquely to develop and deliver the Poole Africans & Caribbeans Fest as a professionally managed, highly engaging, and culturally significant annual event.

Problem/Opportunity Statement (Justification)

Historical Context: As historical records attest, there has been a Black presence in Poole, Dorset, dating back to the 17th century, with some individuals arriving in nearby Lyme Regis as early as the 1620s. Baptism records from 1729 to 1814 also distinctly show Black individuals residing in Dorset, many of whom were associated with vital port towns like Poole. These individuals were integral to the broader Black presence in Georgian Britain. Poole's historical connections to maritime trade, including the slave trade in the mid-1700s, further underscore this often-unacknowledged aspect of local history.

The Opportunity: Despite this rich historical context, there is currently no prominent, annual public event in Poole that specifically celebrates and educates the wider community about African and Caribbean cultures, nor that explicitly acknowledges this long-standing Black presence. This represents a significant missed opportunity for:

Cultural Enrichment: To broaden the understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures within Dorset.

Community Cohesion: To create inclusive spaces where all residents feel represented and celebrated.

Historical Acknowledgment: To shine a light on a vital, yet often overlooked, part of Poole's heritage, fostering a more complete understanding of local history.

Economic Benefit: To provide a platform for local African and Caribbean businesses, artists, and food vendors, stimulating local economy and tourism.

The Poole Africans & Caribbeans Fest offers a unique and timely opportunity to address this gap, providing a vibrant, family-friendly event that celebrates diversity, educates the public, and strengthens community bonds.

Project Aims & Objectives

Overall Aim: To establish an annual, vibrant, and sustainable African and Caribbean Food Festival in Poole, Dorset, that celebrates rich cultural heritage and acknowledges the historical Black presence in the area.

Call for Culinary & Cultural Pioneers!

Join the Poole Africans & Caribbeans Fest 2026!

Do you make incredible African or Caribbean food that everyone raves about? Do you have exciting family recipes and a story linked to your food?

Arts for Survival CIC is looking for talented, non-established food vendors to join our inaugural food festival at Upton Country Park!

We are offering a unique opportunity:

• Mentorship: Develop your prospective food business.
• Training: Full support and training provided in Food Hygiene (required).
• Visibility: Showcase your culture and cuisine to thousands of people.

We want to hear your food story! Let's bring the authentic flavours of our heritage to Poole.

Interested? Please call or WhatsApp us now to learn more:

📞 07960 725517

Poole Africans & Caribbeans Fest: A Taste of History, A Celebration of Culture.