Tameside

South Asian Heritage Month 2024

South Asian Heritage Month seeks to commemorate, mark and celebrate South Asian cultures, histories, and communities. It first took place in 2020, and runs from 18th July to 17th August each year.

The purpose of the month is to understand the diverse heritage and cultures that continue to link the UK with South Asia.

You can find out more about South Asian Heritage Month here: southasianheritage.org.uk/about-the-south-asian-heritage-month/

Free to Be Me

Celebrating 5 years this year, the theme is 'Free to Be Me', where everyone is invited to celebrate the beauty of simply being yourself. Individuals, communities and organisations are encouraged to embrace differences in heritage and culture and truly foster inclusivity. 'Free to Be Me' will mean something different to everyone but in essence, it focuses on sharing similarities, honouring differences, and providing a platform to highlight diverse voices.

With this in mind, we're thrilled to bring you some information from the many amazing community groups across Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside who are marking South Asian Heritage Month with activities or events of their own.

Throughout the month, we'll also be bringing you some wonderful, personal stories from some of our members that highlight the richness and diversity of their South Asian Heritage...watch this space!

Rochdale Events and Activities

Organisation	Event Information	Date/Time	Location
Living Well	Rochdale Town Hall will come alive with the vibrant colours, sounds, and traditions of South Asian arts and crafts, fashion, music, and acts. The event celebrates some of the work Living Well have done, and the partnerships they've created in the South Asian community. Register for your FREE tickets: eventbrite.co.uk/e/rochdale-south-asian-heritage-festival-tickets-946087141107	Thursday 15 August 2024, 10am-12:30pm and/or 1:30pm-4pm	Rochdale Town Hall
KYP	Celebration of Women’s Voices through Creative Writing (Poetry) in collaboration with the Hard Pressed Heritage Project run by Commonword.	Tuesday 23 July 2024	Kashmir Youth Project, Unique Enterprise Centre, Belfield Road, Rochdale OL16 2UP
KYP	Celebrating and showcasing the contributions of people from South Asia to Rochdale and wider society in collaboration with Crescent Community Radio	Tuesday 13 August 2024

Tameside Events and Activities

Organisation

Event Information

Date/Time

Location

Tameside, Oldham and Glossop Mind

Community Connections Event - join TOG Mind for talks, music and demonstrations and more along with Diversity Matters North West / Active Tameside / Khush Amdid / The Red Cross

Find out more: www.facebook.com/TamesideOldhamGlossopMind

Wednesday 24 July 2024, 10am

216-218 Katherine Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 7AS

Get involved

If you are a group or organisation with South Asian culture why not use this month to share your story with the world? It is a great opportunity to celebrate and showcase the rich cultural heritage of South Asia and come together to appreciate the beautiful stories and traditions of those with South Asian heritage.

The South Asian Heritage Trust have a fabulous toolkit to help you decide on what to plan, and how to come together to celebrate. Find out more: www.southasianheritage.org.uk/events-toolkit-2023/

South Asian Heritage Month and KYP

Join us as we mark South Asian Heritage Month 2024, by sharing some stories from our Action Together member organisations to highlight the richness and diversity of their South Asian Heritage, and find out just what this celebration means to them.

Here's our interview with Rochdale based KYP, a leading community/voluntary organisation, who are celebrating a staggering 44 years of providing services and support to the communities of Rochdale!

group of employees from KYP smiling in front of green, white and gold happy birthday balloons

Can you tell us about yourself and your organisation?

Kashmir Youth Project (KYP), founded in 1979, is a prominent VCSE organisation based in central Rochdale. As an independent charity with a rich history spanning over four decades, KYP is well recognised and trusted in the community and is committed to fostering the development and economic regeneration of South Asian and other ethnically diverse communities in the borough of Rochdale. We strive to empower people to achieve their potential, enhance their prosperity and live sustainably.

The organisation was established by a group of young people to assist individuals and communities adjust to the impact of the decline of the textile industry and the closure of mills in which many people of South Asian origin were employed. The initial focus was to provide advice on benefits & welfare rights and support people find alternative employment. The focus very quickly shifted (based on emerging needs) to raising youth aspirations, learning new skills and promoting access to further education.

woman wearing head scarf using sewing machine

What have you done for your community that you would like people to know about?

We have a solid track record of engaging with and providing support to individuals from South Asian backgrounds (Pakistan, Kashmir, Bangladesh) and to those from other diverse and marginalised communities (including refugees and asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Ukraine, Syria, Somalia, etc).

KYP’s support to the communities culminates in:

Over 30 years of employment and skills training to the local community – including Community Learning, AEB, Apprenticeships and SSFW.

30 years of providing on-site childcare through our Little Gems Nursery

Over 15 years of delivering Adult care through the Unity House / Apna Ghar facilities

Over 15 years delivery of Ethnic Minority Business Support

Successful delivery of the AMIF programme (including ESOL, Integration, LIUK support) reaching over 964 people over four years

711 TCN’s, 182 Afghans, 71 Ukrainians (78.9%) achieved either Life in the UK or ESOL qualification.

30 years of managed workspace for new business startups and existing businesses

Our current provision includes:

Adult Education – Childcare, Health and Social Care, Maths and English

Little Gems Nursery - a 37-place community Nursery

KYP Pantry – Providing culturally and religiously appropriate food

Advice and Welfare Service – Free bilingual face to face service

Job Club – Employability support

Apna Ghar – Day care for older men and women

Social Prescribing – Referrals from network partners

Community Facilities – Community functions and events

Restart Programme- Employability and ESOL courses

Tackling Health Inequalities – Addressing Health and Wellbeing for BAME Women

GMCA/WEA – Community Engagement and progression opportunities

Rochdale Ethnic Communities Network – KYP Leads this network of organisations and Leaders

GM Ethnic Communities Network – KYP is part of the Leadership Group and is represented on the Board of Directors

Rochdale Diversity Awards – KYP manages and hosts these prestigious Awards

group of women in sewing class working on patterns

What is KYP doing for South Asian Heritage Month?

We're holding several events including;

Celebration of Women’s Voices through Creative Writing (Poetry) in collaboration with the Hard Pressed Heritage Project run by Commonword | Tuesday 23 July 2024 at Kashmir Youth Project.

Celebrating and showcasing the contributions of people from South Asia to Rochdale and wider society in collaboration with Crescent Community Radio | Tuesday 13 August 2024 at Kashmir Youth Project.

woman at desk doing calligraphic writing

Why do you feel it is important to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month?

It's important to celebrate South Asian Heritage because:

It acknowledges and values people’s heritage and culture

It instils a sense of pride and promotes positive self-identity

It acknowledges people’s contribution to the borough (and British society)

It instils civic pride, citizenship, and a sense of belonging (to the borough of Rochdale/wider society)

It fosters unity and harmony

It creates an opportunity for social inclusion, and sharing of knowledge/culture

It provides an alternative perspective to what people may have assumed, or been taught in school

What change would you like to see in Rochdale that would benefit the South Asian community?

Often, due to historic and political tendencies, people of South Asian heritage are misrepresented or stereotypically depicted.

Many first generation people of South Asian heritage who came in the early 1970s settled in locations close to the textile mills in the borough. These localities, over time, have steadily declined and the people within these neighbourhoods have been caught up and find themselves in disadvantage due to the neighbourhood and lack of investment within such localities. This has spiralled downwards and the neighbourhoods have featured in the Indices of Multiple Deprivation for over two-three decades. Few individuals and families have overcome barriers and managed to become socially mobile, but quite a sizeable proportion of the South Asian community fall within the poverty trap due to location, circumstances, lack of suitable education, lack of skills, lack of opportunities, etc, due to years of oversight by the public and statutory sector failing to address the root causes.

We would like to see these inequalities and root causes addressed and challenged so that the next generation of young people do not have to suffer the consequences, so that they too can benefit from the opportunities and values Great Britain espouses.

We would like to recommend the recognition of the Kashmiri community in Rochdale for its contribution to the borough.

We would also like to recommend the recognition of the Kashmiri community as a separate group with its own language, culture and Heritage and not to be included in the category of British Pakistani when services are planned.

community group of women with arms in the air and backs to the camera

And finally, what would you say to people of South Asian heritage in Greater Manchester to inspire them to make a difference in the community or wider?

Many first and second generation of South Asians have lived and grown up in Rochdale and consider themselves as active citizens of the borough. This their home and future. They are an integral part of the community and contribute to the local economy and social infrastructure. They are proud to be 'Rochdalians' and love the borough and the country. The experience, resilience, perseverance and determination is enough to inspire others; this needs to be showcased and celebrated alongside any other specific contributions they have made to make their borough and country a better place to live and work in.

KYP is proud that amongst the founder members of the organisation, we have a few honoured dignitaries; Lord Qurban Hussain of Luton; Mohammed Habeebullah OBE; Shahid Malik (former General Manager of KYP) elected MP who became the first Muslim heritage Minister in 2007.

There are a number of other prominent people who have started their career in KYP such as Councillor Dalaat Ali, Deputy Leader of the Council; Cllr Iftikar Ahmed – Portfolio Holder for Health, Abdul Hamied – Deputy Director Strategic Partnerships – NHS England. etc

food bank stocked with lots of food and provisions

South Asian Heritage Month and Yuvanis Foundation

Here's our interview with Zakir Ahmad, CEO of Oldham community organisation, Yuvanis Foundation, an organisation who have been committed to empowering and uplifting individuals from diverse BAME backgrounds since their launch in 2009.

community group of people smiling at event

Can you tell us about yourself and your organisation?

I have been leading Yuvanis Foundation, a grassroots charity based in Chadderton, for over 14 years. Our organisation is dedicated to supporting the South Asian community and tackling inequality within our community. We focus on improving health equity, providing sports and recreational opportunities, and fostering social inclusion for individuals from diverse backgrounds. Our initiatives are designed to bridge gaps, create connections, and build a sense of community that transcends cultural and socio-economic barriers.

group of children sat on floor watching children's entertainers

What have you done for your community that you would like people to know about?

One of our significant achievements is the establishment of wellbeing hubs, including our Women’s Hub, Youth Hub, and Men’s Hub. These hubs offer tailored programs that address physical health, mental wellbeing, and personal development. For instance, our Women's Hub has been instrumental in improving the mental and physical health of women from underserved and disadvantaged Ethnic Minority communities in Oldham.

We also organise various activities such as weekly football sessions, cycling sessions, and holiday activities that have positively impacted the lives of young people. Our cycling initiative is a noteworthy example. Through it, we have trained eight volunteers in leading cycling groups; trained multiple groups of women to cycle for the first time; engaged more than 50 young people in cycle maintenance and confidence building group cycle rides.

teams of children in coloured bibs lining up to play games on indoor football pitch

Why do you feel it is important to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month?

Celebrating South Asian Heritage is crucial as it acknowledges the rich cultural contributions of the South Asian community to the broader society. It fosters a sense of pride and identity among South Asians, promoting cultural understanding and appreciation within the wider community. By celebrating our heritage, we also highlight the challenges faced by South Asians, encouraging solidarity and collective action to address these issues. It's a way to honour our past, celebrate our present, and inspire future generations to uphold our values and traditions.

group of women and girls gathered round a table

What change would you like to see in Oldham that would benefit the South Asian community?

I would like to see increased investment in community-led initiatives that address the specific needs of the South Asian community in Oldham. This includes better access to health services, educational opportunities, and employment support tailored to our community's unique challenges.

I also envision a more inclusive and cohesive society where cultural diversity is celebrated, and systemic barriers to equality are removed. Strengthening partnerships between local authorities, businesses, and community organisations, like Yuvanis Foundation, is essential to drive this change and ensure sustainable development.

girls wearing headscarves writing and drawing at table

And finally, what would you say to people of South Asian heritage in Greater Manchester to inspire them to make a difference in the community or wider?

To the people of South Asian heritage in Greater Manchester, I would say, your unique experiences and cultural heritage are invaluable assets. Use them to make a positive impact in your community. Get involved, volunteer, and support local initiatives. By contributing your time, skills, and resources, you can help build a stronger, more inclusive society. Remember, every small action counts and collectively, we can create significant change. Let's celebrate our heritage not just through words, but through actions that uplift our community and inspire future generations.