LPT and NHFT buddy up to celebrate the first South Asian Heritage Month
Over the last four weeks colleagues from NHFT partnered up with LPT to celebrate the first ever South Asian Heritage Month, which takes place from 18 July – 17 August.
The awareness month recognises and celebrates our diverse networks of colleagues, service users, patients and carers; as well as our rich communities.
Colleagues from across LPT and NHFT joined in four online sessions led by Asha Day and Doris Addo, LPT BAME network chair and NHFT BAME network chair, to discuss their backgrounds, cultures and childhoods.
Angela Hillery, Chief Executive at LPT and NHFT opened and closed the awareness month in support of celebrating South Asian Heritage month. She said: “We are fortunate to have such rich and diverse communities across LPT and NHFT, and we are delighted to have celebrated the inaugural South Asian Heritage Month.
“A number of our fantastic staff took the time to join our four one hour sessions on a variety of topics from cultural heritage and religion, to lived experience in a diverse Britain, as well as dance, food, health and wellbeing from across South Asia.
“Colleagues from all cultures have joined these sessions to learn and share, and this example of collaboration supports the work we’re doing to become an anti-racist and inclusive organisation. We will continue to celebrate our diverse network and we look forward to supporting Black History Month, and connecting with one another to share our experiences and cultures.”
South Asian Heritage Month aims to raise the profile of British-South Asian History in the UK through education, arts, culture and commemoration, with the goal of helping people to better understand the diversity of present-day Britain, as well as improving levels of social cohesion between the various communities.
Dr Shahid Latif Consultant Psychiatrist and Clinical Director of adult and forensic mental health services at NHFT, supported South Asian Heritage Month, as chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Transcultural Special Interest Group led meaningful discussions and sessions on his experiences. More details can be found here.
To find out more about South Asian Heritage Month, visit: www.mminquarantine.com/south-asian-heritage-month