Jamaica Society Leeds

Jamaica Society Leeds The Jamaica Society (Leeds) was founded on 11th May 1978. The founder members were: Mrs Yvonne English Mr. Errol James MBE.

JP, Mrs Elizabeth (Betsy) Johnson, Mr. Travis Johnson, Mrs Lizette Powell JP and Mrs Ratricia (Nettie) White. At the societies inception, they also recruited people such as: Percy Francis, George Eubanks Barry Cain, Florizel Lee, Junior Parker, Pansy Patterson, Thelma Thomas, Peggy Lunn and Ruby Lewis to work on their constitution and recruit members as well as utilising their individual and colle

ctive skills. Initial meetings took place at particular members’ homes but an essential part of their planning was to secure their own premises. This was achieved with the purchase of what is now known as Jamaica House on Chapeltown Road, which was Blessed and Dedicated by the Rt. Reverend Neville DeSouza, Bishop of Jamaica on Sunday 31st July 1988

The multi-purpose building was officially opened by Senator The Hon. David Coore QC, Minister for Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade on Monday 30th October 1989

The society registered as a charity on 18th February 1987 and functions as such to the present day. Charitable details as follows:
Charity No. 517636

AFTER SCHOOL STUDIES SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE. PROVIDE VENUE FOR REPASS FOR FUNERALS AND OTHER FAMILY EVENTS. WOMEN AND CARE GROUP SUPPORT MEMBERS IN ILLNESS AT HOME, IN HOSPITALS AND CARE HOMES. Governing document
CONSTITUTION 15 SEPTEMBER 1985 AS AMENDED 16 APRIL 2000. Organisation type
STANDARD REGISTRATION





Charitable objects
TO PROMOTE ANY CHARITABLE PURPOSE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE INHABITANTS OF LEEDS AND SURROUNDING DISTRICTS (AND PARTICULARLY THOSE PERSONS OF JAMAICAN ORIGIN) AND IN PARTICULAR THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION, THE RELIEF OF POVERTY, SICKNESS AND DISTRESS, THE RELIEF OF THE ELDERLY AND INFIRM AND THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES IN THE INTEREST OF SOCIAL WELFARE WITH THE OBJECT OF IMPROVING THE CONDITIONS OF LIFE FOR THE SAID INHABITANTS. Classification
What
• GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
• EDUCATION/TRAINING
• DISABILITY
• THE PREVENTION OR RELIEF OF POVERTY
• OVERSEAS AID/FAMINE RELIEF
• ARTS/CULTURE/HERITAGE/SCIENCE
• ENVIRONMENT/CONSERVATION/HERITAGE

Who
• CHILDREN/YOUNG PEOPLE
• ELDERLY/OLD PEOPLE
• PEOPLE OF A PARTICULAR ETHNIC OR RACIAL ORIGIN
• OTHER CHARITIES OR VOLUNTARY BODIES
• THE GENERAL PUBLIC/MANKIND

How

• MAKES GRANTS TO ORGANISATIONS
• PROVIDES HUMAN RESOURCES
• PROVIDES BUILDINGS/FACILITIES/OPEN SPACE
• PROVIDES SERVICES
• PROVIDES ADVOCACY/ADVICE/INFORMATION

📣Celebrate Windrush Day with us, Monday 22 June!Join us at Jamaica House to celebrate young British Caribbean entreprene...
14/06/2026

📣Celebrate Windrush Day with us, Monday 22 June!

Join us at Jamaica House to celebrate young British Caribbean entrepreneurs and discover how heritage and community have shaped their journeys.

Explore our Windrush exhibition, sharing the story of the first generation of Caribbean people in Leeds.

Add your thoughts to our Reflection Wall Installation on the legacies of the Windrush Generation.

Our Young Entrepreneurs Expo & Exhibition takes a multigenerational approach to commemorating Windrush Day and celebrates the heritage, community and future we are building together in Leeds.

📢 Windrush Day 2026: Young Entrepreneurs Expo & Exhibition
📆 Monday 22 June, 3–6pm
📍 Jamaica House
🆓 Free

Part of our programme: What We Carried, What We Carry Forward: Windrush Legacies for the Generations

In partnership with Leeds St Kitts & Nevis Association

Funded by Windrush Grant Scheme

Near Neighbours
Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

06/06/2026

We are proud to announce our Windrush 2026 programme: “What We Carry Forward; Windrush Legacies for the Generations” - celebrating heritage, community and the future we are building together.

This June and July, we will take the Windrush story into classrooms across Leeds.

We will open our doors at Jamaica House for the Young Entrepreneurs Expo on Monday 22 June, 12pm–6pm.

Our Windrush Cultural Day Celebrations on Saturday 4 July, 2pm–6pm will be a true cultural feast of live performances, food, music - with 3 Generations of Deejays tracing the music that has shaped British Caribbean life.

It’s the gathering, the pride, the togetherness.

Come through, bring the family, and celebrate what the Windrush generation carried, and what we pass on to future generations.

In partnership with Leeds St Kitts & Nevis Association.

Funded by Windrush Day Scheme Grant and CIYF/YPIP






Near Neighbours
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

05/06/2026

💃🏾 Join us at lunchtime today for Zumba Gold! 🕺🏽

A fun, friendly dance fitness session with Marsha, set to uplifting Caribbean and Latin rhythms.

🕐 Today, 1PM – 2PM
📍 Jamaica House, 277 Chapeltown Road, Leeds LS7 3HA

Perfect for over 60s and the young at heart. Come along, get moving and enjoy the music!

02/06/2026

💃🏾 Zumba Gold is back this Friday! 🕺🏽

Looking for a fun way to stay active? Join Marsha for an hour of music, movement and good company.

📅 Friday 5 June
🕐 1PM – 2PM
📍 Jamaica House, 277 Chapeltown Rd, Leeds, LS7 3HA

Open to over 60s and the young at heart.

✨ Held on the first Friday of every month.

The Legacy ContinuesOn Sunday, the Jamaica Society Leeds was honoured to attend the unveiling and dedication of the new ...
01/06/2026

The Legacy Continues

On Sunday, the Jamaica Society Leeds was honoured to attend the unveiling and dedication of the new commemorative bench and remembrance garden at Filey Railway Station, hosted by the Filey Branch of the Royal British Legion as part of its centenary celebrations.

We were particularly proud to see the contribution of Caribbean RAF servicemen recognised within the commemoration.

Thousands of Caribbean men travelled across the Atlantic to serve at RAF Hunmanby Moor during the Second World War, answering Britain’s call in a time of need.

We thank the Filey Royal British Legion Branch, Northern Rail and all those involved in creating this lasting tribute to service, sacrifice and community.

📷Mike Seaman

✨ Next Week Friday - Zumba Gold is BACK! ✨Calling all over 60s and the young at heart 💃🏾🕺🏽Join Marsha for a fun, uplifti...
27/05/2026

✨ Next Week Friday - Zumba Gold is BACK! ✨

Calling all over 60s and the young at heart 💃🏾🕺🏽
Join Marsha for a fun, uplifting afternoon of movement, music and community.

Feel the rhythm, move with joy and stay active with easy-to-follow Caribbean and Latin inspired dance fitness.

📍 Jamaica House, 277 Chapeltown Road, LS7 3HA
🕐 1PM – 2PM
📅 Friday 5 June

No experience needed. Just come along and enjoy yourself!

25/05/2026

Monday Motivation:
Creativity & Cultural Legacy ✨

This Monday, take a moment to remember:
A creative act - a poem, a melody, a story - is an artistic way of honouring those who walked before us.

🌺 Our memorial garden ceremony was lifted by artistic contributions that gave the evening its emotional depth:
Yvonne English’s poetic tribute and Melvin Zakers’s steel pan rendition of ‘The Last Post’ .

For our community, art has always been a bridge:
between island homes and adopted cities
between memory and what is becoming.🕊️

Start the week rooted and connected.
Your creativity may be your ancestors speaking through you.
Make it loud. 🔥

📹Pivot Productions
📷 Solomon Charles-Kelly
Funded by Wade’s Charity, Unity Homes and Enterprise and YPIP






Address

277 Chapeltown Road
Leeds
LS73HA

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