Nishkam Centre’s Birmingham Community Advice Services Event challenges current provision and paves the way forward

November 30, 2014 by Leave a Comment
An opportunity for attendees to share experiences during the workshop

An opportunity for attendees to share experiences during the workshop

As the Birmingham Community Advice (BCA) project continues to offer much needed advice and guidance across the City, the consortia held a consultation event with strategic partners and opinion formers. The event attracted interest from across the City and was well attended by service providers and those with an affinity to such services.  

The aim of the day was to understand the current landscape of IAG services and looking at future planning to sustain provision. All fifteen partners where asked to look at the past year with the austerity measures and cutbacks that effect the clients served and to explore any gaps in the services. The partners were also asked to think about services that were being delivered and where there was duplication and scope for further provision. The event provided an opportunity to mark the achievements of the BCA project with the support of all the partners to highlight what had been achieved in a short period. Mrs Abrol from UKAWC one of the strategic partners on the BCA Project said, “This project and event has brought so many organisations together under one roof to have a collective input on service delivery, really useful project”.The consultation event was held to map Information Advice & Guidance (IAG) services in Birmingham, to see what was working well and what more needed to be done. Birmingham Community Advice (BCA) led by the Nishkam Centre and funded by Big Lottery’s Advice Services Transition Fund, is an outreach programme with a difference. BCA works with partners to provide Debt, Housing, Employment Rights and Welfare advice and advocacy services, and capacity build service providers and

All the attendees work on a group exercise

All the attendees work on a group exercise

volunteers. Trevor Allsopp from the Birmingham Peoples Centre reiterated how employment specialist advice was a niche and how privileged he felt to work with a handful of organisations and the contributions BCA had made in its first year.

The event saw some of the partners do presentations on the day and give a flavour of partnership working with the BCA team and how working together had seen a change to their service delivery within community settings. All of the partners who spoke informed the listeners of the value added services received and how the partnership to support and advise their clients had been so positive and fruitful. Anita Duggal from Soho and Rookery Children Centre spoke passionately about the ease of accessibility to the BCA team to refer clients who needed an array of support that her team were unable to offer.The BCA project team has helped / supported about 721 people. They also outlined how the project, with the team’s expertise, has secured benefits through appeals and benefit applications in the region of £400,000. It was shown how the project has reached out to different communities and how people have been encouraged to learn about their rights in five different community languages. The BCA Project Coordinator, Gulbag Singh said, “The fact that over £40,000 had been secured through our employment specialist who negotiated at tribunals and through ACAS mediation is an accolade to the great work being undertaken. The work with welfare benefits is a substantial amount of money that has been secured for some of the most vulnerable people in our community.” Yousef, a debt specialist with Free at Last expressed his gratitude to the BCA project for the support offered to take on clients for advice and the ongoing support provided.

There are partners who refer into to the BCA team on a regular basis and they highlighted how beneficial it had been for their current remit to have an additional arm to support people in times of crises and need.

The consultation had no surprises other than a consensus of how little there was in Birmingham for people in terms of free advice and guidance and the lack of awareness of services.  A discussion took place about how everyone needed to be aware of what was available when supporting clients who may need a service that they did not provide. The buzzwords for the day were seamless working; transparency; commitment; partnerships and sustainability. All the attendees agreed and committed to the fact that what had been started at the event required their long-term commitment to ensure that the City had a collective and uniform approach for IAG services. Ajmal Khan from BARC said, “We are grateful this event took place, we got to meet similar organisations to share ideas and see how to progress in the future.”

Colleagues from Refugee Action were also present and work with the Nishkam team where opportunities present themselves for partnership working. Dawn Murray from Refugee Action reflected on the year since the launch of the project that she attended and noted that the BCA Project had flourished to become a great success.  Recognition of how the third sector is raising its game to support the ever-increasing IAG needs is evident and this is with little or no support from national and local government. The lack of funding was recognised as a major a concern on the day and all present were asked to provide tangible outcomes that could be shared to support future funding bids. With Birmingham City Council facing huge cuts, it was imperative to identify a new way of working to enable the provision of services in the future.

The diverse communities the BCA project has served to date was visible for all to see and acknowledged thanks to the concise data captured on age gender, ethnicity and religion. The BCA team shared with all the partners the key achievements and milestones, whilst crediting all present for making it all possible with their commitment and trust in the project and genuine partnership working.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

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Filed Under: Nishkam Centre

Over 200 faith groups, MPs and government policy leads agree- Faith is Too Significant to Ignore!

November 19, 2014 by Leave a Comment

7ef3adc7-b0de-448f-9768-bb6f6659c8fbWednesday the 19th November, was a significant day for FaithAction and faith groups across the country.

As we gathered in the beautiful Assembly Hall in Church House Westminster, Amrick Singh (Director of Nishkam Centre and part of the FaithAction advisory group) starting proceedings with a warm welcome.

Amrick started with that all important question- ‘Why is Faith too significant to Ignore?’- and asked us to look at faith’s part in our communities and neighbourhoods. He talked about the fact that in history, faith has been on the fringes, but that as we approach 2015, faith is coming to the table, because of faith communities and the work they are doing. He focused on people of faith not doing things for recognition but because it’s ‘the right thing to do’.

More information here

 

Filed Under: Nishkam Centre

Museum of World Religions AGM and project development meeting hosted in Birmingham

November 5, 2014 by Leave a Comment

engagementThe Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ) Gurudwara and Nishkam Centre were honoured to host the Museum of World Religions (MWR) Working Committee for a marathon two day gathering and Annual General Meeting this week.

The Museum of World Religions (MWR) will provide an opportunity for people of different backgrounds to get to know, understand, respect, and learn from each other. It will create an atmosphere that stimulates spiritual awareness and a sense of humility. The project was inspired and initiated by the Dharma Master Hsin Tao who founded the first Museum of World Religions located in Taiwan. The Working Committee is looking at the planning and coordination to establish a Museum of World Religions in Birmingham. The Museum is intended to be a shared space for dialogue and understanding between people from different faith communities as well as for people of no religious or faith affiliations. It is envisaged that it will serve as an educational resource for learners of all ages and provide an opportunity for individuals to explore the part that religion plays in contemporary life.

The Museum will be a twenty-first-century state-of-the-art spacious building to allow visitors a sense of freedom in exploring the exhibitions. The Museum will encourage respect for religion by introducing visitors to the core values, wisdom, and practices of all the major world religions, and in this manner illustrate the need for religion in an increasingly secular and environmentally threatened world.

Bhai Sahib Bhai Mohinder Singh who had just returned from an interfaith trip to Amritsar, India where he hosted the Birmingham Faith Leaders to ascertain a better understanding of the Sikh Dharam (faith), said “The meeting hasmeeting been very productive; the passion of the working committee to ensure the project is thought through and planned meticulously is enlightening. As human beings we need a better understanting of the other; fear, hostility, anger and resentment are a result of a lack of understanding. We must empower people with knowledge of other faith traditions so that we can build a more cohesive society. I am honoured to be part of this Working Group, this is a landmark project that will become a focal point for faith literacy in this hemisphere in years to come”.

The team that met this week included:

  • Josef Boehle, Coordinator of the UNESCO Chair in Interfaith Studies, University of Birmingham;
  • Rodney Dodds, Reader Emeritus, Church of England;
  • Marius Felderhof, former Senior Lecturer, Dept. Theology and Religion, University of Birmingham;
  • Maria Reis Habito, International Programme Director, Museum of World Religions, Taiwan;
  • Farida Hashem, Senior Consultant, Felixia Associates;
  • Sharif Horthy, President, Guerrand-Hermès Foundation for Peace, Brighton;
  • Tuti Horthy, Trustee, Guerrand-Hermès Foundation for Peace, Brighton;
  • Kurt Schreiber, Advisor, Museum of World Religions, Taiwan;
  • Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh, Chairman, GNNSJ, Birmingham;
  • Sukhbir Singh, GNNSJ, Birmingham

The Museum will look at the central importance of religion in human life and create a common space for the many religious communities in Birmingham. It is envisioned that the project would have an educational value for the general public and would be the first of its kind in Europe, possibly the first outside Taiwan. It will celebrate the role and relevance of religion, both for individuals and for society. Furthermore, it will stimulate constructive and critical reflection on the role of religion in our global society. When we consider the misrepresentation, the hijacking, and the mis-use of faith to serve personal agendas, the need for such a museum is exceptionally timely. In today’s increasingly globalised and fractured world, members of different faith communities and ethnicities find themselves sharing a common space. At the same time, humanity is facing unprecedented challenges––environmental degradation, poverty, war, violence between groups and communities, uneven distribution of material wealth, social disparity, injustice, alienation, and many other problems. The proposed Museum is intended to provide information and resources for individuals to reflect on the meaning and role of religion amidst these challenges, and how religion can indeed be a positive force for global healing, social transformation, and personal growth in the twenty-first century.

By encouraging the recognition of the importance of inter-religious dialogue and religious education as vehicles contributing to social stability and world peace the museum will build powerful bridges. It will serve as a major educational resource for teachers and students of theology and Religious Education in Britain, Europe, and beyond.

Amrick Singh, Centre Director commented, “It is always a pleasure to host and serve such distinguished guests working on projects that will be for the benefit of all. The rich diversity of this team illustrates how vibrant the final outcome will be. The guests were really overwhelmed by the hospitality they received by Bhai Sahib Ji and the team and we are pleased we were able to contribute in a small way by hosting such a significant meeting”.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

For more information:

Nishkam Media Centre – www.nishkammediacentre.com

Filed Under: GNNSJ, Nishkam Centre

Uplifting and spiritually infused Civic Service paves the way forward

July 21, 2014 by Leave a Comment

IMG_6295The Civic Service held at St Martin’s Church in the Bull Ring provided a serene setting to officially mark the welcome of the new Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Shafique Shah. The opportunity to renew commitments to public service for Birmingham and its citizens and to ask God for his blessing set the scene for the next term of office.

The Annual Service at St Martin’s Church in the Bull Ring on Sunday evening 20th July 2014, was a moving and inspiring service that all the guests and visitors seemed to enjoy. Led by Revd Elisie Blair-Chappell the service proclaimed the greatness of the City of Birmingham and the power of faith and spirituality to guide and inspire our civic leaders.   The event saw former First Citizens, their partners, distinguished guests from all walks of life at the Church service. Following the service at the Church the hosts and guests made their way on a beautiful summer evening to the Banqueting Suite at the Council House for refreshments.

The duty of Lord Mayor is a challenging one and requires time, commitment and dedication to balance all the diary commitments and still manage one’s own affairs. Despite all this Lord Mayor, Shafique Shah, has previously described being appointed Lord Mayor of Birmingham as one of the most special events of his life. Father-of-five Shafique Shah, who has represented Bordesley Green since 2005, accepted the Chain of Office at the City Council’s Annual Meeting. He said at the time: “This is one of the most special moments of my life and also one of the most nerve-wracking. The nerve wracking I should be used to, after all I am a Blues supporter.”

At the Civic Service and reception, The Lord Mayor was accompanied by his wife Sadia Shafique, the new Lady Mayoress, and two of IMG_6273their young daughters. They were introduced to Bhai Sahib, Dr Mohinder Singh, Chairman of the Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha which manages the activities of the Gurudwara on Soho Road and Chairman of the Nishkam Civic Association, who congratulated the Lord Mayor on his appointment and the great church service. The Lord Mayor was impressed to hear from Bhai Sahib Dr Mohinder Singh about the Museum of World’s Religions being created here in Birmingham and the international Charter on Forgiveness and Reconciliation that Bhai Sahib is leading on.

The selection of hymns and the order they were recited was very poignant and befitting. Following the welcome and greeting from Revd Elisie Blair-Chappell the congregation was absorbed in the spirit of the evening. The sermon was delivered by Cannon Stewart Jones, which emphasised how great the city of Birmingham was. He then shared the fact that Church leaders get together regularly, “We pray for the City to get God’s blessings”. He went on, “We do not need more technology, more bureaucracy, more structures – we need

to work more on having God in a hearts when we work. First and foremost we must be people of God”. Cannon Jones iterated the importance of humility, love, unity and justice: ”We must work together to build a city that stands up for justice; a place that cares for all. Respect for one and other must be lived out”. And let me say this, if it works in Birmingham, it will work in the World because the World is in Birmingham – a city without walls.”

IMG_6274Cannon Jones concluded with: “We are the stewards to make Birmingham an even better City than it is, a city to be proud of”. Similar sentiments were mentioned by the new Lord Mayor at another event when he said: “I have, as yet, not found any city as welcoming and warm as my home of Birmingham. I always feel proud to say I am a Brummie. I will work hard as an ambassador for our great city to show the world all the positive aspects Birmingham and its citizens have to offer.”

Bhai Sahib, Dr Mohinder Singh, commented on how pertinent and important the service was. “The fusion of spirituality and secularity is crucial. Our civic leaders empowered with faith virtues will always make the right decision for the common good and in the interests of the whole city. They need to operate from a values foundation; principally if they recognise the significance and importance of spirituality they will do well”. On leaving the Church, Bhai Sahib, Dr Mohinder Singh complimented both Revd Elisie Blair-Chappell and Cannon Jones on their contribution to the service and invited them to visit the Gurudwara and Nishkam Centre on Soho Road.

The four privileged charities the Lord Mayor will be supporting throughout the year are

  • The Queen Elizabeth Hospital
  • Birmingham Children’s Hospital
  • SIFA Fireside, a Digbeth based charity which works to tackle homelessness and alcohol dependency
  • Birmingham Focus a sight loss charity.

 

ENDS 

Notes to Editors:

For more information:

Filed Under: GNNSJ, News, Nishkam Centre

Launch of Creative English course tackles deep rooted issues

June 20, 2014 by Leave a Comment

The Creative English Course launched nationally by FaithAction and delivered locally by the Nishkam Centre is set to tackle many of the community’s concerns and issues. On 13th November 2013, FaithAction won the funding to deliver Creative English, a new programme that uses unique and innovative ideas to teach English. The programme is funded by the Department of Communities and Local Government as part of its £6 million investment in teaching English to the most isolated groups in England. 

FaithAction has worked with Queen Mary University to design and research unique and innovative ways of teaching English, creating a programme that uses interactive ‘soap opera’ style sessions to develop English language abilities that can empower its beneficiaries and prove effective in real-life situations. In contrast to traditional approaches, Creative English is delivered by trained volunteers that come from local faith communities and groups, who can quickly establish a rapport with their audience.

The programme will reach 1,200 individuals, equipping them with the English language skills they need, as well as supporting them on their journey to social action or further education. The Nishkam Centre as an anchor organisation is fortunate to be helping all the communities to engage together and build an understanding to break down barriers. This programme provides a fun way to do that.

The course is developed for people from all communities especially where language and fear of the unknown can create divisions between groups. The goal is to provide all students with confidence and improve their self-esteem while speaking in real life situation in a fun way.

The Nishkam Centre has had volunteers trained who deliver the course consisting of 12 sessions which lasts for 2 days a week over a six week period.  The Centre is currently running the course on a Thursday and a Friday. FaithAction created the course to enable and engage people from all communities to participate and address barriers especially those unable to speak English. Those who have enrolled on the course have already shown:

  • An increase in self-confidence
  • Improved interaction with those of other communities
  • The ability to communicate in English, when shopping, filling out forms, speaking to people
  • Confidence in getting to know each other better in a group, improving  skills which were transferable
  • Improved people skills

The Nishkam Centre is targeting to trained 60 people who will no doubt be nervous, lacking self-belief and confidence, not able to hold their own in public to a more confident person, happy and pleased with their progress and new found skills.

“It was important that learners are exposed to a friendly atmosphere and are part of a group of people who have a similar drive to learn” commented Narinder Kaur, one of the trainers. “By getting everyone to share experiences we find learning is made easier and people are keen to converse and build a relationship” she went on.

“To break the ice we play games to relax the students and to encourage them to come up with different exercises” commented Sia Grover, the other volunteer trainer. “we must give people the opportunity to learn English so they can play a more active role in society and as we know, we can all add value in one way or another”.

 

ENDS

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Nishkam Centre

Aston University awards Nishkam Chairman Honorary Doctorate of Science

April 15, 2014 by Leave a Comment

2014 04 16 Baba Ji Aston -®SandeepVirdee-3375In a graduation ceremony held in the magnificent surrounds of Birmingham Town Hall on Tuesday, 15th April 2014 three leaders joined more than 520 postgraduate students from across Aston’s four Schools to receive recognition. 

During the 2014 graduation ceremony, the University awarded three honorary degrees to leading religious and business figures. They were Sue Noffke, an equity fund manager; Bhai Sahib, Dr Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia, Chairman of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ) and the Nishkam Civic Association and The Very Reverend Catherine Ogle, Dean of Birmingham. The Senate is empowered to award degrees ‘honoris causa’ as a means of honouring individuals who have distinguished themselves in a particular field or profession, or who have given meritorious service to the University.

The Honorary Degrees are the University’s public recognition of an individual’s outstanding achievements or service at a local, national or international level. It is particularly appropriate if the achievements or service are directly related to Aston University and / or Birmingham and the West Midlands, or to the principles for which Aston University stands: the advancement, dissemination and application of learning and knowledge, by teaching, and research, for the benefit of industry and commerce, and of the community generally.

Bhai Sahib Dr Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia is the Spiritual Leader and Chairman of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha, UK – a charitable 2014 04 16 Baba Ji Aston -®SandeepVirdee-3424organisation with its Headquarters in Birmingham and two sister organisations in Leeds and London with branches in India and Kenya.  He is also Chairman of the Nishkam Civic Association which engages in a plethora of civic activities. He has previously been awarded honorary doctorates from the University of Central England in 2002 and from the University of Birmingham in 2006. Bhai Sahib is the first British Sikh to be awarded the official title of ‘Bhai Sahib’ by the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (the Sikh ‘apex’ organisation representing some 26 million Sikhs globally) for his selfless service in propagating the Sikh faith, engagement in interfaith work and heritage conservation.

 

Bhai Sahib said ”It is indeed a privilege and an honour to be recognised by such a prestigious University well known for its world-class teaching, and strong links to industry, government and commerce”.

Within the interfaith context, Bhai Sahib is a senior member of the Elijah Board of World’s Religious Leaders and the European Council of Religious Leaders.  He is Co-President and Trustee of Religions for Peace International, New York, and President of Religions for Peace UK.  He supports the Council for the Parliament of the World’s Religions, Chicago.  Bhai Sahib is Patron of the Divine Onkar Mission, Anon Care (UK), the Nishkam Healthcare Trust and the Nishkam School Trust which has pioneered a multi-faith ethos in values-based education at its Nishkam Nursery, Primary, High School and Sixth Form.  He is currently working on two landmark projects; an ‘International Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation’ and a Museum of World’s Religions to be located in Birmingham.

During his address to the gathered graduates and their families he said, “While this is a day of celebration for those who are graduating, it is also an occasion that represents departure from studying at Aston University to a new world stage where graduates have the opportunity to make their mark in the wider community, whether that is at a local, regional or indeed at global level. The true value of your education lies in how you transfer the knowledge you have gained for the greater good of communities and humanity at large”.

2014 04 16 Baba Ji Aston -®SandeepVirdee-3331He concluded his address “I strongly believe that it is imperative to fuse the sacred and the secular in order for humanity to share the bounty of our common good. I was honoured, privileged and humbled to be asked to address the UN General Assembly on the occasion of UN World Interfaith Harmony Week in 2012. I stated the following:

‘The whole of the human race is but one large family’ states Guru Gobind Singh Ji our tenth Guru. With this universality of the Almighty, we humans have common origins, common destiny and common goals. Pain, suffering, grief and tears are all common to us. We inhabit the same planet and share the same common environment.

We all aspire to be better human beings wishing for happiness, prosperity, success and peace which unfortunately deludes us mainly due to our negative values of lust, vengeance, greed, possessiveness, and arrogance. ‘The world is burning with the fire of these’ states Guru Nanak Dev Ji our first Guru and pleads to God, ‘save us, wherever and with whatever means possible.’

“Once again, I am deeply humbled by this honour and I trust that as graduates you will take advantage of the rich legacy of our great city“.2014 04 16 Baba Ji Aston -®SandeepVirdee-3419

ENDS

Filed Under: News, Nishkam Centre

Aston Villa fans give Kenyans kit to choose right paths

March 17, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Young football fans in Kenya have been given a lift through the gift of Premier League kits thanks to Aston Villa (key partners of the Nishkam Centre) and their fans.

The famous claret-and-blue shirts have been donated by Villa fans through an amnesty that gave ‘Villans’ a discount on this season’s kit in return for their donation. With the help of Turkish Airlines, the club’s official airlines partner, the shirts were then flown out to Kenya. There they were given to people in two locations.

Filed Under: Nishkam Centre

New advice and advocacy project launched in Birmingham

January 23, 2014 by Leave a Comment

1A new service funded by Big Lottery and managed and coordinated by the Nishkam Civic Association (NCA) has been launched in Birmingham. The NCA in partnership with strategic partners UK Asian Women’s Centre and the Sikh Community Youth Services have launched the Birmingham Community Advice (BCA) Project which offers information, advice and guidance services via existing service providers across Birmingham.

An event was held to mark the launch of the advice services project back in December and was very well attended which showed the level of interest in the services and the eagerness of community groups to come together to collaborate. The launch was attended by local councillors, third sector organisations and public sector services. Whilst there was limited time to arrange the event and send out personal invitations, the support and turnout was overwhelming with over 40 organisations representing all parts of the City. The event commenced with paying respects and a minute silence in honour of the great man, Nelson Mandela. This was followed by a brief overview of the project given by the Project Coordinator – Gulbag Singh – to enable everyone to understand the specifics of the project, meet the team, see how their clients might benefit and how to get involved.

BCA is a City-wide service and will offer a free, impartial and confidential service for people from BME communities to gain advice 3and advocacy support in the key areas of, Employment and Discrimination Law, Welfare Benefits, Specialist Housing and Debt. The project team is keen to ensure that service provision is extended to offer a value added service to the local communities and organisations. By offering volunteers the opportunity to gain priceless training and experience working with experienced case workers to support them and organisations to build resilience in these unsettled times. With the harsh and relentless cut backs and scarcity of funding opportunities it is paramount that all means to collaborate and build partnerships / networks are explored.

The launch event, hosted my Sewa Singh Mandla, a Trustee and Non Exec Director of NCA, heard from Councillor Mahmood Hussain, Amrick Singh the Nishkam Centre Director, Mrs Sudarshan Abrol Hon CEO of the UK Asian Women’s Centre who proudly shared the history and tireless work they do and the impact they have. Cllr Hussain commented on how the Nishkam Centre with its faith based, values-led and volunteering ethos had been a flagship example in Handsworth and Soho. He went on to say, “Nishkam promotes equality and practices a labour of love in extending their hand to all who have needed it, helping to eradicate inequalities”.

Gulbag Singh, BCA Project Coordinator, said “The guests came from a variety of backgrounds and they were receptive to working in partnership and forging working relationships between third sector and public services. I was encouraged by the level of commitment to work together and it was great to see several councillors from across the wards come to support the launch event”.

4The BCA team will now be busy securing outreach locations establishing working partnerships within existing community organisations so that services can be provided and a sustainable working model created. The team is mindful that whilst quality in all aspects is crucial, offering a compassionate and culturally sensitive service, particularly for those with language and cultural barriers, is of utmost importance.

Amrick Singh, Centre Director, said, “We are grateful to Big Lottery for supporting this project and it is a fantastic accolade for a third sector organisation to be able to work with local partners to build resilience and capacity. I am also glad that so many councillors, organisations, service providers and friends were able to support the launch and continue to be great allies to deliver fantastic services to the people of Birmingham”.

The event closed with a cake cutting ceremony and a buffet for all to enjoy a culinary delight, network and speak to staff from the BCA project.

                                                                                                                                                ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. Nishkam Civic Association is one of the five centres for excellence created by Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ) a multi-faceted, faith based organisation. Chaired by Bhai Sahib Dr Mohinder Singh it aims to serve and uplift society through the practice of core values – nishkamta, or the spirit of selflessness, being one of them. It has generated a flourishing culture of volunteering, which has contributed immensely to transforming visionary projects into reality.

For more information, visit www.ncauk.org and www.nishkammediacentre.com

2. UK Asian Women’s Centre is bonding South Asian women without prejudice of their Religious beliefs, varying abilities or skills and age. It plays a vital role to support and shape women’s social capital so that women can make choices and changes for themselves, their communities and families. The UK Asian Women’s Centre does this by building their confidence, upgrading their skills and enabling them to achieve economic independence. UK Asian Women’s Centre has been supporting women in employment for the last ten years and hopes to continue to fulfil its aims and objectives.

For more information, visit http://www.ukawc.com

3. Sikh Community & Youth Service UK (SCYS UK) is a “one stop” Information, Advice, Guidance and Training centre providing specialist support, advice and services to the local community. SCYS UK provides a number of key services linked to employment, housing, social, health, welfare, advice and educational services.

For more information, visit www.scysuk.org

 

Filed Under: Nishkam Centre

Family and community give memorable send-off to distinguished Professor

January 3, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Professor Peter Gilbert during his interview with Bhai Sahib Dr Mohinder Singh on Leadership at the Nishkam Centre

Professor Peter Gilbert during his interview with
Bhai Sahib Dr Mohinder Singh on Leadership at
the Nishkam Centre

St George’s Catholic Church in Worcester attracted family and friends from across the UK to join in the Requiem Mass for Professor Peter Gilbert on Friday 27th December 2013. The Church was filled with people who wanted to give Peter a final send-off and standby the family during their trying time. Peter who was emeritus professor of social work and spirituality at Staffordshire University and a visiting professor with the University of Worcester lost his battle to illness and departed for his heavenly abode on the 12th December 2013.

Peter, editor of Pavilion Publishing titles Spirituality and Mental Health and Spirituality and End of Life Care, was recognised recently for his outstanding contribution to the profession at the Social Worker of the Year Awards 2013. He also won the Outstanding Contribution award in recognition of his significant influence on social work thinking on mental health, learning disabilities, spirituality and leadership. He constantly strove to bring the ‘human’ dimension into health and social care. He also cared passionately about bringing an authentic dimension to leadership practice and wrote much about leadership with integrity.  He was the author and editor of numerous publications. He was always a source of wisdom and good advice.

Peter was the National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE) project lead on spirituality from its

Distinguished guests leaving the Church service and making their way to the Parish Hall for refreshments

St Geourge’s Church Worcester

inception to 2008, and worked with the National Spirituality and Mental Health Forum (NSMHF) to keep the great work going. Having experienced an episode of depression himself, Peter was always committed to a holistic and person-centred approach and the integration of personal experience. Peter touched many lives and always brought the best out of people and any situation. A devout Roman Catholic, Peter advocated a vision of social work that recognised the benefits that spirituality, in its broadest sense, could bring to social care practice.

Chairman of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ) and the Nishkam Centre, Bhai Sahib Dr Mohinder Singh attended the service as a dear friend of Peter and was moved by the regal service befitting Professor Gilbert. “Peter always considered himself a friend of the Sikh community and was very keen to work with the Nishkam Centre to address subjects like mental illness, dementia, spirituality and faith. He was very talented and able to engage with people at all levels. He had a natural ability to engage those at the policy level in a strategic way whilst relating and working with people at the coalface with real issues. He was a real gem of a person.” remarked Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh.

Distinguished guests leaving the Church service and making their way to the Parish Hall for refreshments

Distinguished guests leaving the Church service and making their way to the Parish Hall for refreshments

Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh and Amrick Singh, Nishkam Centre Director, were privileged to be amongst the guests partaking in the service for Peter. “Having met Peter’s wife Sue, it felt like we knew each other since Peter had spoken about his wife and his girls so fondly and so often” said Amrick Singh. Sue Gilbert was very pleased to meet Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh and whilst showing an unbelievable resolve to deal with the situation in hand, she was a pillar of strength and gratitude.

The Venerable Arthur Hawes, Honorary Secretary of NSMHF commented on the fantastic contribution Peter had made and the lives that had been enriched by him. He went on to say, “We are grateful that we will be able to honour Peter and his work in the forthcoming book ‘Crossing the River’ which has been compiled by many people who knew Peter and wanted to share their experience of knowing him with others. The chapter by Bhai Sahib is also to be included and very much appreciated. The title of the book was chosen by Peter Gilbert himself.”

Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh concluded by saying, “Peter will be missed by many people. The service was a great accolade to him and a fantastic send-off. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Sue and the whole family”.

 

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

  1. For more information on the National Spirituality and Mental Health Forum and Professors Gilbert’s contribution please go to http://www.mhspirituality.org.uk
  2. Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ) is a multi-faceted, faith based organisation practicing and propagating the Sikh Dharam (faith) in the name of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469-1539). It has been involved in selfless intra-faith work in Kenya and India informally since 1950, and formally in the UK since 1978 as a registered Charity through five centres for excellence in the inner-city area of Handsworth, Birmingham, where its Headquarters are based. GNNSJ also has sister organisations in Leeds and London (UK) and branches in Kericho (Kenya) and Amritsar (India). Significant achievements have been made by GNNSJ in the conservation and restoration of historical Sikh shrines.

Chaired by Bhai Sahib Dr Mohinder Singh it aims to serve and uplift society through the practice of core values – nishkamta, or the spirit of selflessness, being one of them. Inspired by Dharam (religion) GNNSJ has generated a flourishing culture of volunteering, which has contributed immensely to transforming visionary projects into reality.

 

For his services to religious faith propagation, community service, education and research, Bhai Sahib has been awarded two Honorary Doctorates from Birmingham’s Universities. He is passionate about values-based education and is the Patron of the Nishkam Education Trust which has set-up Nishkam Nursery (2009), Nishkam Primary Free School (2011), Nishkam Secondary School with 6th Form (2012) and Nishkam School West London (2013).

For more information, visit www.nishkammediacentre.com

 

 

 

Filed Under: Nishkam Centre

Handsworth’s ‘Walk of Witness 2013’ – Bringing together communities

April 2, 2013 by Leave a Comment

20130329_141457Twelve churches came together to walk the length of the famous Soho Road, to celebrate and share a historic moment. The Good Friday walk saw communities walking side by side and then culminating in an uplifting faith inspired service held near the Soho Road Gurudwara. The event was a national observance and celebration of the Good Friday message across all denominations.

Reflecting on the event, Sewa Singh said: “It was a fantastic opportunity to walk with colleagues along the Soho Road to show unity and to encourage others to join in the walk. We have always maintained that there are good working relationships, with the majority of people working together well. It is important that we celebrate each other’s religious and cultural events together. Sikhs are committed to working in partnership with those from all faiths and none to ensure the wellbeing of all. I am pleased today went as well as it did”.

Reverend John Mall from the Baptist Church in Handsworth was ecstatic that colleagues from the Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ) and the Nishkam Civic Association (NCA) had turned out to support the walk. He captured the moment by saying, “It is really great to see our Sikh brothers and sisters here supporting us and making this event even more special for all to enjoy”.

Rev John Mall than made a heartwarming announcement on the PA system to publicly thank the Sikh community and to inform all attendees that the Sikh volunteers had put on refreshments and hot tea as a mark of love and respect for all gathered at the event”.

The serving of refreshments and tea to all the by-passers and Walk of Witness attendees was only made possible by the dedication of volunteers. The volunteers came from the Gurudwara, Nishkam Centre, neighbouring businesses, including Marg Sat Santokh (a timber merchant and fitted kitchens supplier), Nishkam Pharmacy, the Photo Shop, the Flower Shop and MySafety Hub. Rev John Mall said that the volunteers had added a whole new dimension to the Good Friday event aSSM Rev Mallnd it was the icing on the cake.

Mr Mandla went on to say, “The volunteers as always demonstrated that sacrificing time and serving fellow citizens was a priceless undertaking for them. We are happy to be part of today to mark a joyous day with our friends”.

Amrick Singh from the Nishkam Centre remarked on the warmth generated at the event despite the very cold weather spell being endured. He commented, “Having spoken to distinguished colleagues today at the event like Ricky Dehaney, Desmond Jaddoo, Rev John Mall and Pall Singh from the Lozells Project the sentiments shared were that the day demonstrated why Handsworth was so special and also exemplified what the resurrection meant. It was about the truth always being victorious and living for ever; it was about sacrificing oneself for others; it was about forgiving and looking forward; and it was about celebrating our differences whilst rejoicing in our uniqueness. All religious traditions and faiths are based on the foundations of compassion, mercy and forgiveness.

“Greater collaboration and partnership working across people of all faiths is clearly evident and present in Birmingham, we should all be proud of this”.

                                                                                                                                                                                                            ENDS

Released by: Nishkam Centre

T: 0121 515 4229

Notes to Editor

1. Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ) is a multi-faceted, faith based organisation practising and propagating the Sikh Dharam (faith) in the name of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469-1539). It has been involved in selfless intra-faith work in Kenya and India informally since 1950, and formally in the UK since 1978 as a registered Charity through five centres for excellence in the inner-city depressed area of Handsworth, Birmingham, where its Headquarters are based. GNNSJ also has sister organisations in Leeds and London (UK); as well as in Kericho (Kenya) and Amritsar (India). Significant achievements have been made by GNNSJ in the conservation and restoration of historical Sikh shrines.

Chaired by Bhai Sahib (Dr) Mohinder Singh it aims to serve and uplift society through the practice of core values – nishkamta, or the spirit of selflessness, being one of them. Inspired by spirituality, GNNSJ has generated a flourishing culture of volunteering, which has contributed immensely to transform visionary projects into reality.

For his services to religious faith propagation, community service, education and research, Bhai Sahib has been awarded two Honorary Doctorates from Birmingham’s Universities. He is passionate about values-based education and is the Patron of the Nishkam Education Trust.

 2. Nishkam Civic Association www.ncauk.org
Filed Under: Nishkam Centre
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