What we are for
Black‑led leadership. Borough‑wide benefit.
Independent community organisations working together to strengthen health, belonging and opportunity across Southwark.
Who we are
SUBNET brings independent Black-led community organisations together to improve health, belonging and opportunity across Southwark.
Our leadership is rooted in the knowledge and lived experience of Black African and Black Caribbean communities. Our work is intended to benefit the wider borough, particularly residents and neighbourhoods experiencing inequality.
SOUTHWARK
C‑BACE
The community anchor — connecting
- 01Healthier ageing
- 02Culture
- 03Food
- 04Wellbeing
- 05Advocacy
- 06Community leadership
- 07Opportunity
How SUBNET works
Enable, not absorb.
Members keep
Member organisations keep their own identity, governance, expertise and community relationships.
SUBNET provides
SUBNET provides a shared platform for collaboration, where working together can achieve more than working alone.
Member organisations
Independent organisations, working together.
Each member keeps its own identity, governance and community relationships. SUBNET is the platform they share.
- African & Caribbean Heritage Food NetworkAn Afrodescendant-led food and justice alliance, working across Southwark and Lambeth on food sovereignty, heritage and Afroecology.View profile
- CAD-HRWorks with migrant and marginalised communities to improve access to justice, strengthen community capacity and open routes to long-term wellbeing and economic participation.View profile
- Cedric WhilbyA community leader, trustee and strategic adviser with over 30 years’ experience across health, education, culture and community development in Southwark and south-east London.View profile
- Excel Beyond BarriersA youth-first organisation in Peckham, opening routes into sport, training, mentoring and employment for young people facing barriers.View profile
- ParentSkills2GoParent-led support for families in Southwark: courses, clubs and early help with children’s mental health and wellbeing.View profile
- Southwark Golden OldiesA community care project for older people, founded in 1991, running a weekly day club, a warm space, health checks and outings.View profile
- Southwark Senior Social AssociationA charitable organisation supporting older people in Southwark: help with tasks at home, day care, therapeutic activities, digital inclusion, meals and transport.View profile
An honest register
Where things stand.
Some things are agreed. Some are being built. Others are genuinely still open, and we would rather say so than guess. Select any item to read more.
Position as of August 2026
Agreed3 items
Member organisations keep their independence
Members are not merging, transferring their work, or giving up their independence. This is SUBNET’s founding principle: enable, not absorb.
Leadership rooted in lived experience
SUBNET’s leadership is grounded in the knowledge and lived experience of Black African and Black Caribbean communities in Southwark.
C‑BACE as a community anchor
C‑BACE will be a central community asset and an anchor for this work. It is not SUBNET’s sole purpose.
Under way2 items
Benefit across the wider boroughIntended
The intended benefit is borough-wide, particularly for residents and neighbourhoods experiencing inequality. A wider borough role has not been finally approved.
Stronger connections and shared learningBeing built
Closer working between members, shared learning, and more community-led opportunities across Southwark.
Not decided yet4 items
Legal form and legal structure
SUBNET has not decided to become a charitable foundation, a CIO, or any other legal form. This is still being worked through with members.
Governance, trustees and board
There is no final trustee, board, membership or commissioning structure. These arrangements are being shaped collectively.
Staffing, budget and funding
No development hub, staffing model, budget or funding package has been agreed.
Long-term relationship between C‑BACE and SUBNET
How C‑BACE and SUBNET relate to one another over the long term, and how investment works, remain open questions.
Where we are now
We are still shaping this, and we would like to hear from you.
SUBNET is working with members, residents and partners to shape its future governance and priorities. These arrangements have not yet been finalised.
If you are a resident, a community organisation, or a partner who would like to know more, please get in touch.
Send us a message
Contact details will be published here shortly.