About

Age Alive was created in 2008 as part of the Welsh Government’s Community First initiative by a group of people from the community, led by Leanne Teichner. The aim of the Communities First initiative was to develop partnerships between the community, statutory and business sectors in order to tackle poverty in the most deprived areas of Wales.

In 2008 the BME Communities First Partnership began in Newport, hosted jointly between GAVO (Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations) and Newport City Council, with line management involvement from SEWREC. The BME Partnership was set up to bring communities together, to act as a voice for the BME community in Newport, and to work with partners to tackle poverty.

A member of the BME Communities First Partnership, Leanne Taylor, conducted research to identify the needs of the BME community who were over 50 years old. The results from this research were pivotal in the establishment of a BME 50+ network.

Roy became Chair in 2008 and started the process to transform the network. In 2011, the Age Alive brand was adopted as it became necessary for the network to gain its own identity.

Roy M Grant BEM

 Founder, Visionary, and Former Chair of Age Alive

Born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1942, Roy M Grant’s journey is nothing short of remarkable — a testament to perseverance, purpose, and unshakable resilience. At the age of 14, Roy made a bold declaration to his parents: he wanted to be an engineer. Fascinated by how machines worked, he dreamt of becoming someone who made them work better.

But his path was never straightforward. As recounted in his recent publication “It Will Never Work”, Roy lost sight in one eye at just two years old due to a freak accident. Despite scepticism from others and the societal limits placed on disabled children, Roy remained determined. At 17, he began training at an engineering school. At 19, with the full support of his family, he left the family home to pursue his dream — against all odds.

What followed was an extraordinary career. Roy trained and succeeded as an engineer and became a skilled toolmaker. He developed a rapid cutting tool for the tufted carpet industry, earning his first newspaper feature. Though such an invention in today’s world would likely bring fame and fortune, Roy’s accomplishments went largely unrecognised — a reflection of the systemic racial inequalities rooted in both the legacy of slavery and ongoing discrimination in Britain at the time.

Despite this, Roy built a 22-year career in engineering. He later ran his own taxi business for 7 years, before operating a mobile catering van serving snacks to businesses around Newport. Like many Black men of his generation, Roy had to work “both sides of the coin,” often twice or even three times as hard as his white peers just to receive a fraction of the recognition. This unrelenting work ethic led to physical consequences — Roy developed diabetes at age 37, the result of years of overwork.

Despite providing tirelessly for his family, this high pace of life came at a cost. The very conditions that made others doubt him — his blindness in one eye and diabetes — eventually led to the loss of sight in his remaining good eye, leaving him completely blind and unable to work for over 30 years.

But Roy’s story doesn’t end in hardship. Rather, it transforms.

He redirected his energy into community volunteering, becoming a founding member of Duffryn Community Link and launching the first Cycle Care Club for children, in partnership with Newport City Council and Gwent Police.

His drive and community passion didn’t stop there. Roy joined the Black Minority Heritage Association, working alongside influential community figures such as Lester Freckleton, Vernesta Cyril, Unis Taylor, and Fred Isaacs. Their mission? To uplift Minority Ethnic voices that had long been silenced by disability, health inequalities, and racial barriers. Roy was determined that every Black person who made Newport home should have the chance to share their story.

He began recording and writing these stories, which became the first-ever Black literature collection for Black History Month in Newport (2010). This led to the launch of the Back A Yard Project, which digitised and archived these vital life histories for generations to come.

Roy’s visionary leadership helped launch other key initiatives, including the Windrush Elders Project and It Will Never Work, which later expanded into Silent Voices — a powerful literary piece capturing the heritage and lived experiences of Age Alive’s diverse members, including both Caribbean and Asian communities.

 A Legacy of Cultural Preservation & Creativity

• Author of 7 plays, all performed locally in Newport by community members
• Writer of 7 novels and several magazines — all focusing on Caribbean heritage, identity, and resilience
• Promoter of culture, equity, and visibility for underrepresented voices

 Awards & Recognition

Roy’s contributions have earned him a long list of honours, including:

• Volunteer of the Year
• MTM Unsung Hero
• St David’s Award
• Windrush 75 Certificate
• British Empire Medal (BEM)
• Founding contributor to Windrush Cymru (participant in the Windrush 75 film)
• Recognition through the Cycle Care Club and countless other community initiatives

A Life of Service, A Legacy of Respect

Now, at 83 years old, Roy has made the difficult but courageous decision to step down as Chair of Age Alive due to ongoing health concerns. He passes the baton to Rahila Hamid, Age Alive’s newly appointed Chair, with confidence and pride in the foundation he has built.

Roy Grant is more than a founder — he is the heart and soul of one of the most diverse and inclusive community groups in South East Wales. He championed the principle of RESPECT, uniting people across backgrounds, cultures, and generations. His work has broken stereotypes, shattered glass ceilings, and inspired change.

A Final Word

Roy Grant BEM has not only left his mark — he has created a legacy. Through his tireless community work, cultural storytelling, and unwavering vision, he has transformed lives and laid the groundwork for a future built on inclusion, representation, and pride.

We thank him. We honour him. And we continue the work he began.

Age Alive became a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 12^th April 2017.

We are an independent group run by a volunteer committee of members, for the benefit of people in the local community.

Rahila Hamid

Chairperson & Trustee

Rakhel Smith

Secretary & Trustee

Bilquis Chohan

Treasurer & Trustee

Yasmin Jethwa

Social Secretary & Trustee

Roy Grant BEM

Committee Member

May Laida

Committee Member

Jehan ara Kahn

Committee Member

Cordelia Okwusogu

Committee Member

Farzana Ali

Committee Member

Victoria Salas Senese

Committee Member

Elaine Harris

Committee Member