Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust celebrate South Asian Heritage Month
South Asian Heritage Month took place from Thursday 18 July to Saturday 17 August and Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (CWPT) celebrated by showcasing the diverse voices that make up its workforce.
The theme of this year’s South Asian Heritage Month was ‘Free To Be Me’ and CWPT demonstrated the unique experiences of staff by holding several events across the month.
Online sessions were organised, where staff spoke about what South Asian Heritage Month meant to them, the diverse journeys they have been on and the importance of advocating for every voice to be heard. Discussions were centred around the themes of identity, gender, community, faith and family.
A celebratory event took place on Wednesday 14 August at Brooklands Hospital, where staff gathered for a fun-filled afternoon to celebrate the richness of South Asian culture. Activities included Sri Lankan food, South Asian music, and a cricket match.
In partnership with the Asian Fire Service Association (AFSA), Asian Professionals National Alliance (APNA) NHS and National Sikh Police Association UK, CWPT also held a South Asian Heritage Month Conference at a local Sikh community centre and Gudwara on Thursday 15 August which included keynote speakers from all organisations present, with discussions and presentations on personal and career journeys. A display of information stands also decorated the hall, where attendees could delve into the historic roots of the South Asian community and their impact on local culture today. It was a day of unity, learning and solidifying partnership.
Reflecting on the event, Professor Jagtar Singh OBE, Chair of Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, said: “The room was a vibrant tapestry of people from all walks of life, including our partners, staff, West Midlands Police, the Gurdwara Executive, and local community leaders. It was a testament to the power of coming together to celebrate and learn from each other.
“South Asian Heritage Month is so important because it provides a platform to recognise and celebrate diversity, challenge stereotypes, preserve heritage and foster community and belonging. I leave this event feeling inspired and hopeful for the future.”
Mel Coombes MBE, Chief Executive Officer of Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, said: “As a Trust, I am really proud that we have a multi-cultural staff body that reflects the communities we serve. At CWPT, we are committed to creating a cohesive and inclusive workforce that values all communities and actively works to reduce inequality.”
Rano Bains, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, said: “CWPT is committed to championing the voices of every single one of our staff members and South Asian Heritage Month offered lots of opportunities for staff to share their experiences and reflect on the journey’s they’ve been on. It was lovely to be able to gather at various events across the month and celebrate the culture South Asian colleagues bring to the Trust. South Asian Heritage Month is just one example where we strive to showcase how important diverse perspectives are. It was a great opportunity to learn about each other’s cultures and how they positively impact the care we give to our diverse service users.”