A charity representing Kent's African and Caribbean community has kicked off its 40th anniversary celebrations.

Medway African & Caribbean Association (MACA), which launched in 1984, celebrates diversity and supports people of various backgrounds through its education and cultural work.

This summer it is due to host its 40-year-anniversary gala with the help of soap opera actor Richard Blackwood of Eastenders and Hollyoaks fame.

As the community gets ready for the milestone celebrations, its elderly members have reflected on the group’s humble beginnings in a front room and how it has become a pillar for the black community in The Towns.

Four decades ago, MACA began in the homes of those who moved to Medway as part of the Windrush generation.

The migrants from Jamaica, as well as the islands of Trinidad, St Lucia, Grenada and Barbados, had arrived to help rebuild post-war Britain.

MACA was officially founded by Madge and Joe Cole, Vince and Rose Cole, Sis May Sutherland and her daughters Yvonne Cole and Bob Buffong.

The friends would gather at each other's houses in Gillingham and Rochester where the wives would cook and the children would all get together – meanwhile, the men would play Dominos.

Senior citizens coordinator of MACA, Marva Wilson-Harrison said: “It was something of the past, something we did back home and so they wanted to bring that back here.”

The game would take place in the front room which had significance for many West Indian families.

Chairwoman of MACA, Carol Stewart explained: “There was always a room that was kept for visitors for worship or just like a social gathering.

“The front room was like a meeting place, but lots of people kept it as a special room.“

And, from gathering in the homes to its members helping to later buying the New Testament Church in Strood, the organisation has grown and gone from strength to strength.

Member Bev Fleck said: “Our culture is to mix and meet and share - that’s how the Windrushers survived.

“We share our trials, we share our burdens or we share our food and experiences. We help one another.”

For many, the organisation was a place where they felt they could belong.

“It’s nice to find a place where you can take off your accent and talk,” added Bev.

For others, it was a lifeline.

Pam Rimmel recalled moving from Jamaica in 1997 with her mixed-race children.

She said: “My children started school and on the first day, one of the teenagers came up to my daughter and said ‘What are you doing here?’ saying using our taxes, and all the rest of it.”

So, the girl explained how her mum, a midwife, had worked all her life and had come back here to help. Pam’s husband had also been in the forces for five years.

She added: “My daughter said, ‘that’s why we’re entitled to be here’, but that was her first day in England.

“That’s why I got into this group - they have helped and supported me ever since.”

And, over the past forty years, MACA has continued to thrive and achieve.

Carol added: “MACA was one of the first organisations to set up a Saturday school here in Medway for young people to learn about African and Caribbean culture and history through supplementary lessons.”

Originally from the Midlands, the now chairwoman joined the group 24 years ago and was instantly drawn to it.

“It was refreshing to see and because you know Kent can be quite a lonely place you know at that time. It wasn't perhaps as diverse as it is now.”

During her time at MACA, and in the last two decades, the group has helped provide health support and access to all, get-togethers for the elderly to prevent social isolation, and the creation of its black achievers' awards to recognise unsung community heroes.

And, although the group is predominantly aimed at supporting African and Caribbean people, it welcomes those from other cultures and ethnicities.

Bev said: “I’m Jamaican and our ethos and our flag says ‘Out of many, one people’. If you come to MACA you see that.”

To commemorate the group's milestone anniversary a programme celebrating culture, history, and community launched at the weekend at the Jerk Café in Strood.

A special gala is set to take place on July 20, at the historic Rochester Corn Exchange, which will be hosted by actor Richard Blackwood.

But, what lies ahead for the next 40 years, and longer?

Carol is hoping they can fundraise to create Kent’s first cultural centre which will be an official home for MACA.

The building would house a performing arts space, recording studios, a cultural archive, spaces for health and well-being, and space for senior citizens and young people.

But a lot of the future will rely on the organisations' more junior members.

Eventually, she would like to see the young people leading MACA.

Bev added: “One of the dangers and we don’t want to lose it - many of the seniors have got fewer years in front of them than they do behind.

“With them are real-life experiences - the things you don’t see in textbooks and I’d like to see some of that captured before we move on.”

Marva said: “Sometimes they [young members] have developed a very British sense of being, but without the Windrush generation, without us coming and working for this country - and building it up we wouldn’t have this, which we shouldn’t ever forget.”