The Oldham Malayalee Cultural Association noticed that many people in the Malayalee community were feeling isolated, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Children and young people were losing touch with their cultural roots, and some community members were struggling with mental health and social integration.
The goal was to create activities that would help the Malayalee community feel more connected to their heritage while also supporting their health and social wellbeing. It was important to involve children so they could learn about their culture and at the same time, help the whole community feel more included in Oldham’s diverse society.
To achieve its goals, the association organised a variety of cultural, educational, and wellbeing activities, though with varying degrees of success:
Cultural Festivals: Events like Onam, Vishu, and Deepavali were celebrated with traditional music, dance, and food. These were open to everyone, including people from other communities, to promote cultural exchange.
Dance Classes: Regular sessions were held where children learned traditional Kerala dance forms, building a connection to their heritage.
Language Classes: A limited number of language classes were conducted, but participation was low, and the community decided not to continue with regular sessions.
Book and Film Festival: Only four sessions of the book and film festival were held. Due to low attendance and a lack of sustained interest, the community decided this particular activity was not a good fit for their needs.
The activities had a great impact on the community:
Stronger Cultural Connection: More than 250 people took part, and children became more confident in speaking Malayalam and participating in cultural events. Parents noticed that their children were more interested in their roots.
Bringing Communities Together: Non-Malayalee residents joined the events, which helped build friendships and cultural understanding in Oldham.
Empowering Volunteers: Many volunteers gained new skills, making them better equipped to support the community in the future.
Overall, the initiative successfully helped the Malayalee community in Oldham stay connected to their culture, improve their wellbeing, and build stronger relationships within the wider community.