South Asian Heritage Month

South Asian Heritage Month Celebrations: Promoting Community and Wellbeing in Rotherham

During South Asian Heritage Month, Age UK Rotherham has had the privilege of engaging with the South Asian community through a series of wellbeing social sessions, specifically designed to foster community integration and enhance individual well-being. 

This work, led by our Wellbeing Coordinator, Yasmeen Ali, has helped Age UK Rotherham to have more contacts and support with people of South Asian heritage in the borough. Yasmeen’s focus this summer has been to involve people in creative and outdoor activities that help them to improve their personal wellbeing by having a wider range of social contacts and trying out ways of staying well. The project works with people and uses the 5 Ways to Wellbeing using a community circles approach. The Five Ways to Wellbeing are a set of actions that can help improve mental health and wellbeing: Be active, Connect, Give, Keep learning, and Take notice. Find out more about the 5 Ways To Wellbeing here. 

One of the recent highlights has been our kite-making workshops in celebration of the Basant Kite Festival, these sessions, facilitated by a talented artist from Rotherham Open Arts Renaissance (ROAR), have been a fantastic opportunity for creative expression and community bonding. Participants will attend the festival, taking place on 24th August at Wentworth Woodhouse and fly their own kites. 

In addition to these creative workshops, Age UK Rotherham has also organized nature walks in collaboration with the Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust. The Walks, led by their Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer, Zahira Naz, have provided a much needed outlet for socially isolated individuals. Furthermore, research shows that 42% of people over 50 are inactive so we have introduced seated exercise sessions aimed at improving both physical and mental health. These gentle exercises are designed to be accessible to everyone, particularly those with mobility issues, helping to boost mood and reduce stress. 

Offering a variety of activities, from creative arts to physical exercise, has helped people break the cycle of isolation and promote mental wellbeing. The therapeutic experience of engaging with nature and participating in light physical activity has further enhanced participants' mental health, reducing feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and low mood. 

One of the participants, an older woman of South Asian heritage living in Rotherham, shared her experience with us: 

"I rarely go out as I suffer from several health issues, including mental health challenges and low mood. One of the main reasons I don't leave the house is due to my mental health. However, I am very grateful for the opportunity to visit Longshaw Estate. I really enjoyed the day out. I had never been out of Rotherham to a park before, so I was both excited and nervous due to my health. But Yasmeen’s support and reassurance helped ease my nerves." 

Yasmeen says: “The sessions have not only allowed us to celebrate our rich South Asian heritage but have also played a crucial role in improving the wellbeing of those most in need. By bringing people together through creative, physical, and social activities, we are helping to build a stronger, healthier community.” 

This work has been funded by a grant from the Postcode Lottery Neighbourhood Trust. 

If you or someone you know or care for would like to find out more about Ways to Wellbeing in Later Life, call Yasmeen Ali on 07988 638355 or Email yasmeen.ali@ageukrotherham.org