"The Pepper Pot Centre keeps a community cohesive, happy and supported. The level of hospitality and service are very important for physical health and mental stimulation." Shaun Bailey.

The Pepper Pot Centre was founded by Pansy Jeffery and formally established in 1981 under the auspices of the Community Service of The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Citizens Advice Bureau. Pansy’s aim was to offer a culturally sensitive drop-in centre for recently retired, redundant or disabled members of the elderly African Caribbean community.

In her role at the Citizens’ Advice Bureau – on the very site of Pepper Pot today - Pansy had heard many tales of hardship faced by the early Caribbean settlers who had come to London to furnish the labour market in the 1950s and 1960s. One particular visitor’s tale of retirement depression compelled Pansy to take action. She and her CAB colleague, Bridget Davies, organized a lunch-time soup and served it to the half dozen pensioners who otherwise had nowhere to meet their Caribbean counterparts. It was a gathering of Caribbeans talking shop. Thus the Pepper Pot Club stirred into life.

“By the end of the 1970s, it was clear to me that there was an increasing number of people of African Caribbean origin, categorised as Senior Citizens, who were suffering great isolation, loneliness and depression… I had to do something.”  Pansy Jeffery

What we do

The Pepper Pot Centre aims to provide a comprehensive service for active and disabled older people, from the African and Caribbean community, in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, to enable them to live more independently in their own homes.

The Pepper Pot Centre pools all available resources within the community to meet the socio-cultural, physical, emotional and psychological needs of African and Caribbean elders, ensuring that each individual enjoys a high quality of life.

-       Active members can enjoy a healthy balanced Caribbean meal and recreational services.

-        Housebound members can receive healthy Caribbean meals at home.

-        Disabled members can benefit from Day Care services.

-       Active elderly members can use the Drop In services.

Services include: Meals-on-Wheels, Hospital and Home Visiting, Benefit Claims, Advice on Social Matters, Counselling and Advocacy, Individual Care Planning, Healthcare, Bathing, Laundry, Hairdressing, Carer Respite, Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Eurythmy.

Activities include: Regular day outings around London, Annual Trip abroad, Exchange visits with other Day Centres, Music and Dance Therapy, Summer and Christmas parties, Dominoes and Bingo, Pool Table and other games, Bible Classes and Gospel Singing, Reminiscence and Discussion, Arts and Crafts, Computer Use, Tai Chi exercise classes.

It is all in the name - Pepper Pot celebrates heritage

The Amerindians inhabited part of South America, the Guyanas, and the Caribbean islands. To preserve the game they killed, they used the root of the cassava and boiled it to a simmer that turned into a black syrup called Casareep. Casareep was added to the half cooked game, which tenderized and preserved the meat. Fresh game with spices were added to the pot daily and this created a tasty, filling dish called ‘the Pepper Pot’.  With this preservative, there are stories of pepper pots that were kept going from generation to generation.

Testimonial Quotes

I try never to miss my Yoga sessions as I find it promotes good circulation and keeps me feeling energized. It’s really fantastic! Pansy

Mondays are a real highlight for me as I attend the Music and Movement sessions. These sessions make me feel emotionally and physically well. Cecilia

Aromatherapy really puts a spring into my step. I feel so good after attending a class. Norma

The Eurthymy sessions really relax me and gives me a feeling of well being. It helps me to cope with my arthritis. It helps ease my joint pains. Paul