South Asian Heritage Month 2026: Celebrating culture, wellbeing and community

As South Asian Heritage Month 2026 comes to a close, the Trust is celebrating another successful month of recognising the cultures, histories and contributions of our South Asian colleagues and the diverse communities we serve.

To round off this year’s celebrations, colleagues, families and local partners came together for a special Cultural Wellbeing Event at The Reed 28 in North Kensington. Organised by Nasim Patel, Coordinator and Wellbeing Ambassador for the Kaleidoscope Team, and Patricia Moorhead, Play Therapist, both based at Woodfield Road Medical Centre in the Inner North West (INW) Division, the event brought together families for an afternoon of fun, wellbeing and community connection.

Working in partnership with The Space and other local organisations, the event gave children the chance to enjoy activities including face painting, music, play sessions and pet therapy, while parents were able to access a range of wellbeing therapies, information and advice from organisations supporting local families.

The accompanying video captures the spirit of the day, with parents and children sharing what they enjoyed most about the event. From making new friends and taking part in fun activities to spending quality time together, their feedback shows how important community events like these can be for families.

Speaking in the video, Nasim explains why celebrating the cultures of the communities we serve is so important. She says events like this help bring people together, improve the wellbeing of parents and children and provide an opportunity to signpost families to additional support and services that they may need.

The event was attended by Reema Sharma from Parentactive, a charity that supports parents and carers of disabled children and young people. Parentactive provides advice, information and opportunities for families to connect with one another, while also working with local authorities and health services to help shape services so they better meet the needs of disabled children and young people.

The event was delivered in partnership with The Space, a community charity established following the Grenfell Tower tragedy. The charity provides a safe and welcoming place where local people can access wellbeing support, community activities and services that help improve health and wellbeing.

The video features Samia Badani, Chief Executive Officer of The Space, who talks about the importance of working alongside CLCH. She explains that by bringing organisations together, they can better support local people, helping families access the right care, advice and support closer to home.

As the NHS continues building towards a Neighbourhood Health Service, partnership working has never been more important. Bringing together NHS services, charities, community groups and local organisations helps provide joined-up support that focuses on the whole person, not just their healthcare needs. Events like this are a great example of how collaboration can improve health, wellbeing and reduce inequalities within our communities.

This event also reflects our corporate values in action. It demonstrates Compassion by supporting families and creating welcoming spaces, Inclusion by celebrating different cultures and ensuring everyone feels they belong, Empowerment by connecting people with information and services that can help them, and Accountability through colleagues working with partners to make a real difference for local communities.

Events like this are only possible because of strong partnerships, but they also rely on the dedication and commitment of colleagues like Nasim Patel and Patricia Moorhead. Through the relationships they have built with local charities, community groups and partner organisations, they continue to create opportunities that bring people together and improve the lives of the communities we serve.

As South Asian Heritage Month comes to an end, this event reminds us that when we work together, celebrate our differences and support one another, we create healthier, stronger and more united communities.