Who we are?
Completing Britain’s Cultural Story.
OCACH — the Organisation for Caribbean Arts, Culture & Heritage — is a UK-based charity dedicated to ensuring Caribbean culture is recognised as an integral and enduring part of Britain’s shared cultural story.
Caribbean communities have profoundly shaped Britain’s cultural life — from music and language to food, sport, and creative expression. Yet much of this contribution remains under-represented in public cultural spaces, education, and heritage narratives.
OCACH exists to address this gap — not through confrontation, but through completion.
Why we exist
When people do not see their heritage reflected in shared cultural spaces, confidence weakens, belonging erodes, and society becomes poorer for it.
Culture is not simply about the past. It shapes how people see themselves today and how communities connect tomorrow. Ensuring cultural heritage is visible, valued, and sustained strengthens confidence, participation, and social cohesion for everyone. However, many young people are not only disconnected from themselves, their communities but also society at large - a problem we've termed the tyranny of the disconnected generation.
At OCACH, we are working to reconnect our young people with themselves, their communities and with society at large through our shared story, history and heritage. Building and deepening community relationships across the UK and beyond.
What we do every day
OCACH exists to embed Caribbean arts, culture, and heritage into Britain’s shared cultural life through preservation, celebration, and empowerment.
Where we are going
A Britain where Caribbean arts, culture, and heritage are fully embedded in shared cultural life — strengthening confidence, belonging, and opportunity for generations to come.
Our Area of Focus
Our work is focused, strategic, and long-term.
Preserve
We safeguard Caribbean heritage at risk of being lost — stories, creative works, and lived experiences — ensuring they are recorded, protected, and passed on.
Celebrate
We bring Caribbean culture into public view through arts, exhibitions, performances, and cultural engagement that invite participation and shared ownership.
Empower
We use culture to build confidence, belonging, and opportunity — particularly for younger generations — through education, creativity, and access.
How OCACH Works
OCACH operates as a mission-led cultural organisation that combines community-rooted practice with strategic partnership and national ambition. Our approach ensures that cultural work is authentic, inclusive, and sustainable, while delivering clear public benefit.
Identifying Cultural Need & Opportunity
OCACH begins by identifying areas where Caribbean arts, culture, and heritage are:
- Under-represented
- At risk of being lost
- Lacking platforms for visibility and participation
We engage with communities, creatives, educators, and partner organisations to understand cultural gaps, priorities, and opportunities. This ensures our work responds to real need, not assumption.
Co-Designing Programs with Communities
OCACH does not impose solutions.
We co-design programmes alongside:
- Artists and cultural practitioners
- Community organisations
- Educators and youth leaders
This collaborative approach ensures cultural authenticity, relevance, and ownership—while encouraging participation across generations and backgrounds.
Delivering Cultural Programmes & Activity
OCACH delivers a range of cultural activity, including:
- Arts and cultural events
- Educational workshops and talks
- Creative showcases and exhibitions
- Community-led cultural engagement
Our delivery model prioritises:
- Accessibility and inclusion
- Safe, welcoming cultural spaces
- High-quality creative and educational content
Building Partnerships for Greater Impact
OCACH works in partnership with organisations that share our values and commitment to cultural inclusion.
We collaborate with:
- Public sector bodies
- Cultural institutions
- Corporate and commercial partners
- Funders and philanthropic organisations
Partnerships allow OCACH to:
- Extend reach across multiple communities
- Pool expertise and resources
- Increase sustainability and long-term impact
Supporting Creatives & Cultural Practitioners
At the heart of OCACH’s work are artists, creatives, and cultural practitioners.
We support them by:
- Providing platforms to showcase work
- Creating opportunities for skills development
- Encouraging leadership and cultural entrepreneurship
- Recognising lived experience as cultural expertise
This strengthens both individual livelihoods and the wider cultural ecosystem.
Ensuring Access, Inclusion & Participation
OCACH is committed to making culture accessible.
We design programmes that:
- Remove barriers to participation
- Engage diverse audiences
- Encourage cross-cultural understanding
- Create opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds
Our work strengthens confidence and belonging by ensuring people can see themselves reflected in cultural life.
Meet our Trustees
At OCACH, our team of trustees is made up of thoughtful collaborators and community champions—each bringing curiosity, compassion, and a commitment to making a difference.
Rooted in the communities we serve, we show up every day with purpose, partnership, and a whole lot of heart. Our lived experience, community knowledge, and shared values guide our work with integrity and purpose.
Giselle Carter
Trustee & Founder
Giselle Carter-Sandy serves as Chair of OCACH, providing governance oversight and strategic leadership for the charity. With a long-standing commitment to advancing education and public appreciation of Caribbean arts and culture, she has guided the organisation through key stages of growth and revival. As chair, Giselle ensures strong governance, accountability and alignment with OCACH’s mission to embed Caribbean cultural heritage into Britain’s shared cultural narrative. Her leadership brings integrity, vision and a clear focus on impact, helping OCACH build credibility with communities, partners and supporters alike.
Gus Sandy
Trustee & Director
Gus Sandy brings deep commitment to cultural celebration and community leadership to OCACH’s board. With extensive experience in community engagement and organisational development, Gus has supported programmes that connect cultural heritage with creative expression and social cohesion across the UK. His leadership focus lies in strengthening OCACH’s strategic direction and ensuring the charity achieves lasting impact through its programmes and partnerships. Gus is passionate about promoting Caribbean arts, heritage and identity as integral components of Britain’s shared cultural life.
Karleen Andall
Trustee & Director
Karleen Andall offers a strong background in legal and social advocacy, particularly around services for vulnerable populations. Her expertise in governance, rights-based frameworks and organisational oversight strengthens OCACH’s ability to operate responsibly and ethically while advancing its cultural mission. Karleen has worked across sectors supporting individuals and communities affected by domestic abuse, exploitation and human trafficking, bringing a compassionate and justice-oriented perspective to her trustee role. Her focus on inclusion and community wellbeing aligns with OCACH’s vision of cultural confidence and belonging for all.
Our Invitation
We invite partners, supporters, and funders to join us in building a confident, connected, and culturally rich future — one that honours heritage and empowers generations to come.
Completing Britain’s cultural story is a shared endeavour.
Britain’s cultural story is rich, but incomplete. Caribbean culture has shaped the nation’s creativity in profound ways, yet much of this heritage remains under-represented in public cultural life. When people do not see their heritage reflected, confidence weakens and belonging erodes — and society loses something vital. OCACH exists to complete that story by embedding Caribbean arts, culture, and heritage into Britain’s shared cultural life. Our vision is a culturally confident Britain where heritage strengthens identity, connection, and opportunity — not just for today, but for generations to come. Philanthropic partnership helps secure this legacy permanently, transforming cultural contribution into enduring cultural infrastructure.
