We’ve just completed a month of events, activities and resources to mark this year’s South Asian Heritage Month with our colleagues – which has a theme of ‘stories to tell’.
"As SMT sponsor to the EmbRace Network, I was delighted and proud to see our first South Asian Heritage month at GC provide an excellent example of the benefits of tolerance, inclusion, cultural awareness, and education in the workplace. Our ability to work collaboratively, embrace individual perspectives and learn from one another is essential to creativity, innovation, and progression.
‘Bring a dish to work’ day allowed us all to connect over a unified love for food, just as we are unified in our shared objectives and values as GC colleagues. We should continue to learn from one another, challenge perceptions and educate, where appropriate, in every aspect of our working interactions.
"Thank you to all colleagues that have taken part in the activities and I would encourage everyone to become involved with the EDI network. You can find out more about the range of networks by emailing edi@growthco.uk" - Michelle Leeson - Managing Director of Employment
"The embrace network’s first time celebrating South Asian Heritage Month – the theme of 'stories to tell' the activities, and articles were intended to inspire and influence collaboration within teams.
"As colleagues working together, respecting others, and striving to become more culturally aware is something we should all take pride in." Labisi Brimah - Employment Advisor
Bollywood Interactive Dance Event
The celebrations kicked-off on Tuesday 18 July with a Bollywood Interactive Dance Event for colleagues to join. Thanks to Anushka Parekh for running the event and to all colleagues who attended. It included running a session on Bollywood dance; the history and influences and Anushka shared dance videos and a special wedding performance. Anushka told us that she hoped the event would raise awareness of difference cultures and the impact it has on someone's identity:
"Bollywood Dance is more than just a dance; it's enriched with a deep history that has now influenced Western culture. There are several influences that may be subtle or noticeable such as Bollywood segments in music videos, Hollywood, movies, and tv shows.
Although, I'm British, I also identify as being Indian and both are equally as important to me. However, in the workplace my Indian identity may not be displayed or come across as I would in my personal life. For example, in my spare time, I choreograph dances for weddings which, has helped my communication skills when talking to groups of colleagues in the workplace.”
- Anushka Parekh, Organisational Development Advisor
South Asian Food and Cultural Cohesion
Understanding how cultures influence each other is fascinating – and a great way of promoting cohesiveness and integration. Food helps to tell a story about how easy we’re able to blend and influence cultures.
Mysha Williams, our EmbRace EDI Network co-chair wrote an engaging blog post to explain how South Asian food has influenced many cultures across the globe. You can read Mysha’s blog here.
Harmonising your body, mind and spirit
To get a deeper understanding of South Asian cultures, EmbRace produced this Spotlight Article on yoga and meditation – have a read and find out how how yoga has spread into the Western culture and how different forms of yoga have developed to meet the needs of everyone.
Embracing faith and regions diversity
At GC, 8% of GC colleagues are South Asian and a total of 571 GC colleagues have told us they have a religion or faith: Buddhist 0.51%, Christianity, 45.22%, Hindu 1.10%, Islam 6.44%, Judaism 0.42%, Sikh 0.51%, Other Religion or Belief 3.05%.
This spotlight article explains how South Asia has been the birthplace for spirituality. It also explains why encouraging practicing positive interfaith relations in the workplace helps to embrace tolerance and challenge poor interfaith relations.
South Asian Famous faces and icons
The EmbRace Network introduced us to some South Asian icons in their respective industries. They all have stories to tell, some of these stories have encapsulate the very best of British South Asians – how they’ve been influenced, and how they’ve influenced British culture for the better.
Colleague stories
As this year’s theme for South Asian History Month is 'Stories to tell', we shared some of our colleagues' experiences and what their heritage means to them – including Employment Advisor colleagues form our Restart team. Read their stories and quotes here
Bring a dish to work day
And finally, we encouraged colleagues to bring some homemade South Asian-inspired dishes into the office on Friday 4 August to mark ‘Bring a dish to work day’.
From snacks and light bites, to takeaways many of our colleagues enjoyed discussing their recipes and their learnings, and most of all – enjoyed the food! Check out the photos below from colleagues at our Barnsley and Doncaster offices.
"Bring a dish to work day’ was a massive success in South Yorkshire – so much so and considering the feedback from colleagues, we are doing these monthly across each site where colleagues will choose the theme - Michelle Pearce." – Director for Employment (Sheffield City Region)
