Kent Equality Cohesion Council

Tag: Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council

  • 80th Anniversary VE Day Celebrations

    80th Anniversary VE Day Celebrations

    KECC supports Cohesion Plus and Dartford Borough in delivering 80th Anniversary VE Day Celebrations in Central Park

    KECC supported Cohesion Plus in delivering the 80th Anniversary VE Day celebrations working in partnership with Dartford Borough Council. The event which took place in Central Park on Sunday 18th May saw hundreds of local residents in attendance.

    Dignitaries in attendance included the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, The Lady Colgrain; Mayor of Dartford, Peter Whapshott; and the Leader of Dartford Borough Council, Cllr Jeremy Kite who addressed the crowds and shared their own words around what VE Day meant to them as well as the of coming together as a community.

    Community engagement was at the heart of the day, with free refreshments provided by the Scouts, as well as face painting and colouring workshops keeping younger visitors entertained. In addition, there was additional activity in the shape of live musical performances of wartime classics, costumed WW2 actors, and a life-sized replica of a Spitfire aircraft providing striking visuals for families and history enthusiasts alike. Attendees also explored a vintage fire engine, a bomb disposal demonstration, and interactive exhibitions spotlighting the vital contributions of soldiers from across the Commonwealth.

    Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL, CEO of KECC commented,
    “The event was an incredible success and we are proud to have supported the festivities. VE Day serves as a vital reminder of all that was lost and gained through the selfless sacrifice of our soldiers across the nation as well as the Commonwealth. It was also an opportunity for communities to come together to celebrate all that brings us together as a nation.”

  • Gravesham Diwali Celebrations brings community together

    Gravesham Diwali Celebrations brings community together

    Gravesham Diwali Celebrations brings community together

    Kent Equality Cohesion Council supported by Cohesion Plus once again produced community celebrations for Diwali on Friday 8th November to mark the Festival of Light. The event which took place at Saint George’s Church Hall was attended by over 100 guests and saw a spectacular evening of music, food and dance.

    The aim of the event was to bring members of the local community together with a particular focus on elders who wouldn’t necessarily have the opportunity to celebrate in a social setting often due to isolation and ill-health.

    There was a short programme of entertainment provided by Four by Four Bhangra Youth Club Kings of Dhol and DJ Replay as well as a full Indian buffet dinner.

    Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL, CEO of KECC commented, “We are so pleased to have been able to deliver Diwali celebrations once again in Gravesham celebrating the triumph of light over darkness. This year was extra special in that this event was particularly focused on our community elders, providing them an opportunity to come out and celebrate Diwali in a social setting. We are eternally grateful to everyone who took the time to support our work and we look forward to delivering more community celebrations in the future.”

  • Dartford Black History Month Celebrations 2024

    Dartford Black History Month Celebrations 2024

    Dartford Black History Month Celebrations 2024

    Cohesion Plus and Kent Equality Cohesion Council working in partnership with Dartford Borough Council produced a community celebration for Black History Month on Wednesday 2nd October. The event was supported by Arts Council England and took place at the Orchard West Theatre.

    The event was part of a month long programme celebrating the achievements and accomplishments of the Black diaspora in the UK with this year’s theme “Reclaiming Narrative.” Civic guests included Cllr Jeremy Kite, Leader of Dartford Borough Council, Mayor of Dartford Cllr Andy Lloyd, Jim Dickson MP along with Gurvinder Sandher Deputy Lieutenant of Kent.

    The evening featured a range of guest speakers including Akua Agyepong, Director of Adult Social Care at KCC and Naomi Benjamin, founder of Medway based CIC The Sewin Project. The speakers spoke about their individual journeys and how being Black and British shaped their identifies and life paths.

    There was also a screening of the a Cohesion Plus produced film detailing the story of local resident and baker Dela Oresanwo who despite great trials and tribulations, runs a successful home baking business bringing joy to her customers.

    Uzambezi, a Zimbabwean dance and music troupe performed traditional songs and choreography throughout the evening, wowing guests with their interactive numbers.

    Local micro businesses were also showcased on the night, ranging from natural beauty products, soaps and jewellery as well as Afro-Caribbean groceries, brands and ingredients. Guests were able to also try Afro-Caribbean cuisine provided by Jerk on the Hill as well as delicious home backed desserts provided by Dela Homebakes.

    Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL, CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented, “I am proud of what we were able to achieve working with Dartford Borough Council. Our work in the borough celebrates its diversity and the shared history of residents regardless of background 12 months of the year, during Black History Month we just amp up this work as we believe strongly that Black History is British History and it needs to be celebrated across the year not just in October.”

  • Remembrance Day 2023

    Remembrance Day 2023

    Remembrance Day 2023

    Kent Equality Cohesion Council marked Remembrance Day 2023 by laying wreaths at both the Gravesham and Dartford remembrance events. The wreaths were laid to highlight and mark the vast contributions and ultimate sacrifices made by soldiers from the Commonwealth.

    KECC in recent years have made a concerted effort to spread awareness of the soldiers from the Commonwealth and the doubtless part they played in Britain’s victory in the World Wars, a stark fact that has historically been sadly overlooked and erased. As such, the organisation has produced short films around the subject, with the intention to educate and inform the public around the many Commonwealth countries who contributed to the war effort, with soldiers serving in less than favourable conditions and who faced discrimination and racism from the very country they were serving.

    Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL, CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented, “We are passionate about cultural diversity and representation, it is essentially the back bone of the work we do. So we felt it imperative to not only mark and pay tribute to those countless souls who served in the World Wars, but also mark the lives and sacrifices of those souls who do not have their names engraved on war monuments or have statues made in their honour. Every year we pay respect to the soldiers from the Caribbean, Africa and the Indian Sub-Continent who laid down their lives for our freedom and who deserve to be commemorated and celebrated alongside British soldiers. We thank them, commemorate them and hope that history will do the same in coming years.”

  • Wrotham Festival of Light

    Wrotham Festival of Light

    Wrotham Festival of Light

    The Kent Equality Cohesion Council were delighted to support the annual Wrotham Festival of Light which took place Friday October 13th .Despite the rain the community came together in the rural village of Wrotham in Tonbridge and Malling.

    The Village was transformed and lit up with a wonderful nature themed light installations. These were supplemented by colourful lanterns which were made by the pupils of St George’s Primary School.

    The highlight of the event was the colourful lantern parade which was slightly curtailed by the weather but none the less brought smiles to all who took part. The lantern parade along with school children and their families also featured some wonderful drumming from around the world including, Samba, Djembe and Dhol. The lantern parade finished at the cricket ground were the festival climaxed with a spectacular firework display by Phoenix Fireworks.

    The partners for the Wrotham Festival of Light alongside KECC were Cohesion Plus, St George’s Primary School, Wrotham Parish Council, Samesky and Arts Council England.

    Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented “It was so positive to see so many people coming out and supporting this community celebration both young and old. It is important at a time where there is extreme division in the world that we all remember that there is more that unites than divides. I am so proud of how this festival has evolved and it’s a showcase of what can be done when you work at a grass roots level with community partners.

  • Tunbridge Wells Mela Festival

    Tunbridge Wells Mela Festival

    The Tunbridge Wells Mela Festival returned to Calverley Grounds on Sunday 23rd July. The free to attend community celebrations were organised in partnership by Kent Equality Cohesion Council and Cohesion Plus, supported by Arts Council England and Royal Tunbridge Wells Together.

    Festival attendees who attended in their thousands experienced a full, culturally diverse artistic programme both on and off stage, comprising of both local and national talent. Also available were free musical workshops for ages 0-5, parents and guardians as well as cuisine from around the world for attendees to enjoy.

    Civic guests were also in attendance including Deputy Lieutenant Georgie Warner, Mayor of Tunbridge Wells, Cllr Huges Patterson and Leader of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Cllr Ben Chapelard who spoke from the main stage about the importance of coming together to celebrate community and diversity.

    Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL, CEO of KECC who produced the Mela commented, “We are incredibly pleased that we were able to deliver another community focused, culturally diverse event consisting of art forms and artists from around the world. The ethos of the Mela Festival is to bring people together to celebrate difference in a positive and enlightening way. The fact that Tunbridge Wells has been so receptive to the event over the course of a decade speaks volumes about the area and how community matters regardless of ethnicity, background, faith and gender. We always look forward to coming to Tunbridge Wells to deliver this event and are already planning on returning next year.”

  • Eid Flag Raising

    Eid Flag Raising

    Eid al Fitr is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims around the world which marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.

    A special flag raising ceremony took place on Thursday April 13 on Community Square in Gravesend to mark the ongoing Ramadan period and the forthcoming Eid al-Fitr which will be later this week.

    Around 100 people from the local community attended the ceremony which was arranged by Gravesend and Dartford Muslim Association, Shah Jalal Mosque, Kent Equality Cohesion Council and Gravesham Borough Council.

    Guests who attended and spoke at the event included Deputy Lieutenant Gurvinder Sandher MBE, Deputy Mayor of Gravesham Cllr Jon Caller and Chair of the Gravesend Dartford Muslim Association Bilal Farooq.

    Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented “We have a long and proud history of working in partnership with the Gravesham and Dartford Muslim Association, and we are honored to be involved in another Eid celebration. Events like this provide opportunities for everyone to be educated on the Muslim faith, come together and celebrate all that connects us together as members of the local community. It was extra special for me to be here in my new role as a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent”

    Bilal Farooq the Chair of the Gravesend and Dartford Muslim Association commented “Eid al Fitr is a special time for the Muslim community as it marks the end of the month of dawn to sunset fasting of Ramadan. We were grateful to raise the Eid flag to celebrate this and celebrate the positive contribution made by the Muslim community locally in Gravesham”

  • Community Health and Wellbeing Conference at the Woodville

    Community Health and Wellbeing Conference at the Woodville

    Communities from across Gravesham and Dartford came out to attend the second Listen Up Health and Wellbeing Conference on Thursday 30th March. The conference was held at the Woodville and was organised by Kent Equality Cohesion Council and Rethink Sahayak.

    The aim of the conference was to raise awareness of issues such as violence against women and girls, suicide prevention, alcohol abuse and physical and mental wellbeing especially in later life.

    Approximately 200 people attended the conference and heard presentations from speakers including the Head of Public for Kent County Council Dr Anjan Ghosh, renowned musician and rehabilitated alcoholic Bhupinder Singh and founder Championing of Youth Minds Tanya Marwaha.

    Also speaking at the conference were Deputy Lord Lieutenant Dr Bhargawa Vasudaven, a retired local GP who gave his perspective on the importance of good health especially in later life, as well as Sam Phillips from Involve Kent who spoke about the work she has been leading on in Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley to support over 55’s with leading active lives, supporting wellbeing.

    There was also an opportunity for attendees to receive free blood pressure checks, take part in consultation undertaken by the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board as well as learning more about what support is available locally around violence against women and girls.

    The conference was supported by a range of partners including Involve Kent, Office of the Police Crime Commissioner, KKB Group and Gravesham Borough Council.

    Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL the CEO of the Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented “Events like this are so important as everyone, young or old seems to live busier lives. This is a time to pause, reflect and understand the importance of physical and mental wellbeing. It’s also an opportunity for members of the local community to understand what level of support is available to them. The pandemic underlined the vast health inequalities that exist and events like these we hope, provide better understand and access.”

    Carol Service, Service Manager for Rethink Sahayak commented, “I have been working in the field of community mental health for over 25 years and what I have learnt over that time is that events like these will always be integral and vital to the local communities that we serve. As a specialist provider for minoritised communities it is clear that more still needs to be done around developing understanding of good mental health and wellbeing and events like these we hope will break down barriers and raise awareness.”

  • Inter Faith Celebrations Remember Community Champion

    Inter Faith Celebrations Remember Community Champion

    Kent Equality Cohesion Council organised an Inter Faith community event on Thursday 17th November 2022 which saw local partners, faith leaders and community members attend. The event took place at the Kent Adult Education Centre in Gravesham and marked National Inter Faith Week.

    The event was also an opportunity to commemorate the life of Mr Mohammed Aslam, one of the founders of the Gravesend and Dartford Muslim Association, a local community champion and avid interfaith supporter who passed away in June this year.

    Mr Aslam was a key figure in fostering long standing and fruitful partnerships with Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara and multiple local Churches, working to promote interfaith connections. As such, KECC, supported by Mr Aslam’s family felt that Interfaith Week served as the ideal time to reflect and commemorate the life of an individual of saw faith as a means of connecting people rather than separating them.

    Dignitaries and faith leaders alike spoke at the event around themes of unity and solidarity, celebrating Mr Aslam and Inter Faith Work in Gravesham. These included Deputy Lieutenant of Kent Dr Bagawara Vasudaven, Mayor of Gravesham Cllr Peter Scollard, Adam Holloway MP, Bishop Greg Kitsell Chair of the North Kent Interfaith Network, Reverend Michael Payne from St Aidan’s Church, Bilal Farooq Chair of the Gravesham and Dartford Muslim Association, Bal Cheema and Jagdev Virdee MBE from the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara.

    Community partners who also spoke at the event included former Headteacher Rosemary Dymond DL, Michelle Bramble Chair of the North Kent Caribbean Network, Farook Girach long-time friend of Mr Aslam as well as Carol Gosal of Rethink Mental Health. They were joined by former Kent Police District Commander for Gravesend and Dartford Phillip Painter and Akeel Kedoo former treasurer of the Gravesend and Dartford Muslim Association.

    At the end of the proceedings, Mr Aslam’s son Cllr Ejaz Aslam spoke to everyone gathered and expressed his deep thanks for commemorating his father in such a way, a way that reflects the diverse communities of the area and the message of interfaith that his father always promoted.

    Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council who hosted the event commented, “I believe that National Interfaith Week was the perfect setting to not only remember a local pillar of the community but also talk about religious tolerance and everything that brings us together through faith. Mr Aslam for one, was an individual who stood for everyone, he championed their right practice their faith freely and see the tenants in each religion that brought us together. He supported the local Gurdwara and Churches and fundraised for various relief campaigns and causes regardless of faith. He was truly selfless and generous and I am proud that we were able to honour him in such a manner.”