The Nishkam Civic Association (NCA) proudly announces the launch of its Executive Senior Leadership Programme (ESLP), a groundbreaking postgraduate-level apprenticeship designed to cultivate future leaders in the private, public, and voluntary sectors. This initiative is particularly focused on individuals from non-traditional education backgrounds and ethnic minority communities, providing a unique opportunity for them to advance their careers through government-funded training.

As a faith-inspired charity, the NCA has a long-standing commitment to community development and social welfare across education, health, and social justice. Prof Upkar Singh Pardesi, Chair of NCA Board, said “We embody this dedication, using education as a catalyst for social mobility, improved employment opportunities, and sustainable social benefit and addresses the increasing demand for value-based leadership by drawing on its legacy of community service and strong ethical standards.  The ESLP equips future leaders with essential skills, knowledge, and ethical grounding required to navigate today’s complex and interconnected world. This programme aims to empower individuals in local and regional communities, creating opportunities for leaders from diverse backgrounds to make a positive impact.”

The Executive Senior Leadership Programme is a higher apprenticeship designed to enhance leadership skills according to the Level 7 Senior Leadership Standard. It imparts the knowledge, skills, and behaviours needed to excel in senior roles and also offers the potential to achieve a professional qualification, such as the esteemed Chartered Manager (CMgr) designation and also the opportunity to progress on to an Executive MBA programme with our partner, or a local university.

The ESLP promises a transformative educational experience, combining high standards of education with practical application. Participants will engage actively with real-world challenges, applying their learning to develop an extensive portfolio that demonstrates their proficiency as senior leaders. The programme emphasises creating strong leadership for tomorrow, equipping participants with the tools necessary to handle global challenges while upholding the ethics and core values needed to foster a culture of selfless service, strategic insight, and integrity.

Ajit Singh Ubhi, MD, said “NCA’s unique approach integrates values into every aspect of the programme, ensuring that learners grow not only as leaders but also embody the principles and ethics necessary for sustainable success. This holistic approach makes the ESLP a unique and transformative leadership development experience.”

Employers in the SME and third sectors have a significant opportunity to leverage government funding through the Apprenticeship Levy, reducing the cost of training by 95% to 100% depending on criteria. This programme allows employers to strategically develop key personnel into skilled leaders who can drive their company’s strategic objectives and growth. By investing in their employees’ professional development, companies can enhance employee retention, demonstrating a commitment to career growth, increasing loyalty, and job satisfaction.

We invite employers and aspiring leaders to join us at our launch events in July, August, and September to learn more about the ESLP. These events will provide an opportunity to meet the team, understand the programme in detail, and explore how this unique apprenticeship can benefit both individuals and organizations.

For more information and to register for our launch events, please visit: Event Registration

Discover more about the programme in our brochure here: Programme Brochure

Contact:

Nishkam Civic Association

0121-515-4229

info@ncauk.org

For further inquiries, please contact Nishkam Civic Association at 0121-515-4229.  https://www.nishkamapprenticeships.org/leadership-hub/

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For media inquiries, please contact: info@ncauk.org

Media Contact Information: Ajit Singh 0121 515 4229

Notes to Editors

About Nishkam Civic Association:

The Nishkam Civic Centre (NCA) is a leading provider of values-led education and work-based education in Birmingham. NCA is committed to supporting local communities, employers, and learners, ensuring they receive the highest quality education and apprenticeship programs. NCA’s dedicated team is driven by a shared vision of excellence, aiming to become an “Outstanding” provider in the City. For more information, please visit our website.

Nishkam Healthcare Trust and Nishkam Civic Association were delighted to host a symposium on Start of Life Care on Wednesday 13^th and Thursday 14^th of March 2024. A key aim of the symposium, alongside exploring faith-inspired teachings for start of life care and furthering neighbourhood integration, was to discuss findings from Birmingham and Solihull (BSoL) ICB-funded Nishkam Start of Life Care project, which launched in July 2023, and has run four successful cohorts.

The Symposium ran over two days, and included interactive panel discussions featuring representatives from BSol ICB, hospital doctors and consultants and community organisations such as Flourish, Bethel Health and Healing Network and Perry Barr NNS, exploring how to better navigate local challenges around start of life care, and looking ahead to future ways of linking services to provide better pre-natal care for mothers, and support for fathers.

Dr Manvir Kaur Kalirai, Chair of Nishkam Healthcare Trust, spoke about the life-long impact of the first 1001 days (from conception to the age of 2 years) a child’s life has on them. She informed that infant mortality is the leading cause of preventable death in West Birmingham, and it is also an indicator of the general health of the population, as well as of standards of clinical care. Thus to give children the best start in life we must address health inequalities as well as optimising clinical care.

Following Dr Manvir Kaur’s speech, a panel of distinguished speakers from various faiths each had their turn to share the perspectives of their faith on start of life care and its importance. Dr Gopinder Kaur, who represented the Sikh faith, spoke about how babies serve as a powerful reminder to us of the incredible potential we all possess. The panel also included Dr Bilqees Khwaja, Islamic faith, Dr Manisha Patel, Hindu faith, Reverend Cassius Francis, Christian Faith, and Dr Andrew Goldstein, Jewish faith. Their diverse perspectives added to the depth of our discussions, allowing attendees to understand the views of different faiths so that better care can be provided for all. Although the speakers shared their differing perspectives about when life begins, they all mentioned the blessing that is the beginning of life and the integral role values play in raising a child.

Speakers from Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust spoke about the critical need for pre-natal mental health support and listed some of the existing referral pathways open to women to seek support. Presently this service is under-utilised in West Birmingham, and the mental health team are keen to work with communities and support women in this pivotal time in their lives.

Dr Satish Rao, Medical Director for Innovation and Transformation, BSol ICB, expressed the need to reimagine the healthcare system to accommodate holistic approaches and wraparound support. Dr Rao also touched on newfound perspectives of working with faith organisations as a result of the success of the Nishkam Start of Life Care project.

Handsworth is home to a super-diverse community, but also sadly has reported some of the more unequal health statistics compared to the rest of Birmingham. There are typically very poor outcomes for mothers and children including high levels of infant mortality, due to low levels of health literacy.

These health inequalities were evident in the Nishkam Start of Life Care project’s cohorts, 369 referrals were carried out for the 69 women who participated in the project, an average of five per participant – the most common referrals being energy redress, essential items for children, food and milk vouchers and maternity grants.

The Nishkam Start of Life Care project aims to tackle these inequalities from the ground-up with a vision to work together to nurture good healthy human beings and give every child the best start to life; educating and empowering future parents. The project’s universal aims have attracted as much support and involvement, with nearly 1300 volunteers hours and 15 health professionals. The healthcare professionals volunteered their space time to deliver the antenatal session, saving the NHS £300 of professional fees.

The impact of the project is clear from the feedback – participants gave high praise for the programme, and there was a 64% average improvement of knowledge across the topics from pregnancy, delivery and post-natal care. A fourth cohort, despite not being in the initial programme’s delivery plan, was run due to high demand. Most notably, in their evaluations, participants expressed a need for further workshops focussing on post-natal core.

On the Symposium, Ajit Singh, Director of the Nishkam Civic Centre, said: “The SOLC pilot project is an excellent example of integrated care, bringing together healthcare, community and faith partners to deliver a programme of seamless antenatal and wraparound support addressing the wider determinants of wellbeing in a culturally appropriate and safe space, infused with an abundance of care and compassion. This project strongly aligns with our approach towards prevention and early help to provide babies with the best start of life.”

Ranjit Sondhi, Trustee of Nishkam Healthcare Trust and Non-Executive Director of the Black Country Integrated Board added: “We now live in a society where we know the cost of everything and the value of nothing. The Nishkam Start of Life Care Pilot Project is an excellent example of integrated care in the neighbourhood, which harnesses the goodwill of communities and health professionals to holistically address the needs of expectant mothers”.

ENDS

For media inquiries, please contact: info@ncauk.org

Media Contact Information: Ajit Singh 0121 515 4229

Notes to Editors

About Nishkam Civic Association:

The Nishkam Civic Centre (NCA) is a leading provider of values-led education and work-based education in Birmingham. NCA is committed to supporting local communities, employers, and learners, ensuring they receive the highest quality education and apprenticeship programs. NCA’s dedicated team is driven by a shared vision of excellence, aiming to become an “Outstanding” provider in the City. For more information, please visit our website.

About Nishkam Healthcare Trust:

The Nishkam Healthcare Trust is a part of the five centres of excellence which have been established to transform lives and empower people through faith-based values and ethos. Here, you will encounter highly qualified individuals who are dedicated to Nishkam values, providing a single facility multidisciplinary community healthcare centre, which focuses equally on both the patient’s healthcare experience (values-based care) and on the delivery of high-quality care (clinical excellence).

Nishkam Civic Association (NCA) was delighted to host members of the United Religions Initiative (URI) from around the world, local stakeholders and members of the local interfaith community to discuss the topic of ‘Religiously Motivated Hate Crime’ and how we can work together to eradicate violence in all its forms.

Delegates from URI including Preeta Bansal, Global Chair of the URI and Jerry White, Executive Director of the URI along with others from URI Europe, came to Britain for this event at the invitation of URI UK. NCA was among the select places chosen, to address themes such as preventing violence in all its forms and the fragility of interfaith work.

The Conference started with refreshments, an opportunity to network and explore the Value’s Revolution Exhibition. The programme then moved to the Conference Hall where guests enjoyed Kirtan (Singing of Sikh Scriptures) to bless the conference and create a special ambiance for the rest of the night.

The conference held impactful speeches from several remarkable guests doing fantastic work in their fields.: The first speaker was Superintendent Jennifer Pearson, who set the scene for Birmingham as she listed some powerful statistics. Superintendent Pearson shared that Birmingham is 3rd in religiously motivated hate crime and 1st in racially motivated hate across the nation. She further stressed the importance of faith within policing and the profound role faith collaboration plays in reducing religiously motivated hate crimes.

 Jerry White, Nobel Peace Prize Winner for his work to ban landmines and Executive Director of the URI  spoke about the rise of religiously motivated violence, which is the fastest-growing form of violence globally. He went on to talk about how violence is a behaviour that is contagious and spreads, creating a culture of violence and how it is our responsibility to change the culture, going on to speak about the training URI provides to interrupt local violence.

The third speaker, Global Chair of the URI, Preeta Bansal, spoke about a core tenet of the URI’s work in achieving peace and reducing violence – Cooperation Circles (CCs). Preeta conveyed that peace-making is not accomplished alone and how CCs are the key to peace, which form robust interfaith relationships to reduce violence and create a culture of peace, justice and healing. 

Adding to Preeta’s message of collaboration as a foundation for reducing violence was Duncan Wielzen, URI Europe Chairperson. Duncan spoke about inspiring others to join interfaith groups and how the work of CCs can inspire others to form their own groups and strive to make change in their local area.

Josef Boehle, Director of the Peace Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation shared the 13 year journey of the Peace Charter and its presentation to / endorsement by many prominent figures, such as His Holiness Pope Francis and the Prime Minister of Kenya to name just a few. Additionally, Josef spoke about how the charter looks at the intersection between forgiveness and peace.

The penultimate speaker  Professor Jagbir Jhutti-Johal,  spoke about the role of women in achieving peace and how they bring a specific set of skills and values, citing a research study which concludes that when women are involved in peace negotiations or peace building, success is 20% more likely.

The keynote speaker was Patron of Nishkam Organisations and URI UK, Bhai Sahib, Professor Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia OBE KSG. Bhai Sahib Ji articulated the juxtaposition of religion and violence as religion is peaceful. Continuing to provide an insight into the origin of violence and how vices and external forces which partially form the mind can lead to violence and vengeful retaliation, creating a cycle of escalating violence.

The conference gave an insight into how we can continue to collaborate with partners and strategize to reduce religiously motivated violence and create change in our communities by overcoming the barriers that prevent the formation of peace within communities.

In the spirit of Sikh hospitality, tradition and service, the evening concluded with everyone partaking in Guru Ka Langar (Blessed meal).

Preeta Bansal shared: “We, the global leadership of the United Religions Initiative, were heartened to feel and see the remarkable work of our interfaith cooperation circles in the United Kingdom. The Nishkam Centre in Handsworth is truly leading an interfaith revolution of values — much like Birmingham led the industrial revolution more than a century ago. The Centre’s tangible commitment to selfless service in the community — manifested in concrete initiatives in the health, welfare, environmental, and education sectors — combined with its active peace making carried out in cooperation with multiple faith communities and the public sector, is truly inspiring. The Nishkam Centre is a model of what URI seeks to support and promote globally — a commitment to daily, enduring interfaith cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence, and to promote peace, justice, and healing for the earth and all living beings. We were pleased to be part of the rich community conversation hosted at the Nishkam Centre, which involved community activists, city leaders, academics, and faith leaders.”

ENDS

The NCA community remains committed to its core values and to providing the best possible education and support to learners and employers, setting its sights on reaching new heights of excellence in the near future.

For media inquiries, please contact: info@ncauk.org

Media Contact Information: Ajit Singh 0121 515 4229

Notes to Editors

About Nishkam Civic Association:

The Nishkam Civic Association (NCA), fondly known as the Nishkam Centre, is a unique organisation charged with the task of developing a dynamic Sikh faith inspired civic agenda, located on Soho Road, Birmingham. It is one of the key Centres for Excellence founded by Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha, a Sikh faith-based organisation dedicated to Nishkam Sewa (active, selfless volunteering) to serve the common good.

www.ncauk.org

About United Religions Initiative (URI)

URI, a movement of everyday people making positive change in local communities, is a strong, global grassroots network of interfaith groups bridging differences and finding solutions to issues that affect communities and the world. It is comprised of over 1,100 member groups, called Cooperation Circles, in 112 countries. URI is a non-governmental organisation with consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

https://www.uri.org

Baroness Scott of Bybrook, OBE, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Housing and Faith, embarked on a significant visit to a Sikh Gurudwara and the Nishkam Campus on February 1, 2024. The visit aimed to deepen her understanding of Sikhism and to explore the impactful work carried out by Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ), MSS, Nishkam Schools, Nishkam Healthcare Trust, and Nishkam Civic Association.

Baroness Scott, a distinguished figure in UK politics, played a pivotal role in steering key government Bills during the 2022-23 Parliamentary session, including the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, and the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023. As the Government spokesperson on several successful Private Members’ Bills, she has shown a commitment to legislative initiatives that promote societal well-being.

Expressing a specific interest in Sikh culture and community service, Baroness Scott commenced her visit at the Gurudwara, where she paid obeisance to Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the Sikh holy scripture. The spiritual leader of GNNSJ and founder of the Nishkam group of charities, Bhai Sahib Professor Mohinder Singh, hosted the Baroness during her tour of the Nishkam Campus.

The visit included stops at MSS (Community Cooperative); the Pharmacy and Healthcare Centre (including the new Elderly Support Apartments); and the Nishkam Primary School. Baroness Scott engaged with the teams behind these initiatives, gaining valuable insights into their contributions to regeneration, healthcare services, community engagement and education.

The visit culminated at the Nishkam Civic Association, where Baroness Scott had the opportunity to delve into the organisation’s work in Handsworth, other regions of England, Kenya, and India. Discussions covered a range of topics, from community development to global outreach, the Peace Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation, showcasing the extensive impact of the Nishkam group’s charitable endeavours.

Baroness Scott commended the commitment of the Nishkam group in fostering community well-being and expressed her gratitude for the warm reception during the visit. This experience is expected to further inform her role in advocating for faith-based initiatives and social housing in the UK.

Ends

About Baroness Scott of Bybrook, OBE:

Baroness Scott of Bybrook, OBE, currently serves as the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Housing and Faith. With a notable career in politics, she has been at the forefront of crucial legislative initiatives, demonstrating a commitment to social welfare and community development.

About Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ) and Nishkam Group of Charities:

Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ) is a prominent Sikh organization dedicated to selfless service and community development. The Nishkam Group of Charities encompasses various initiatives, including MSS, educational institutions, healthcare trusts, and civic associations, working towards fostering well-being in local and global communities.