On 13 August, ABA Leeds came together with our wonderful community to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month, this year embracing the inspiring theme of “Unity in Diversity.”
A special afternoon filled with colour, culture, music, laughter, memories and, most importantly, the voices of our community.
More than 160 guests joined us, including our service users and their families, local councillors, partner organisations, funders, volunteers and supporters. It was wonderful to see so many people come together to celebrate the heritage and experiences that connect us.
We were delighted to welcome Consul General of India Mrs Vishakha Yaduvanshi ji, Cllr Salma Arif, Deputy Lieutenant Sharon Watson MBE DL, and Sharon Kaur Jandu OBE, who shared thoughtful and inspiring reflections on inclusion, disability, community and the importance of celebrating our stories.
Our service users at the heart of the celebration
For us, the most meaningful part of the day was hearing directly from our service users. They openly shared their journeys, challenges, resilience and hopes — reminding us that behind every statistic is a person with a story, dreams and ambitions. Their experiences also highlighted the many barriers that can exist at the intersection of sight loss, disability, age, race, religion and language. These stories reinforce why ABA Leeds exists: to make sure people feel heard, valued, included and empowered to live independent and fulfilling lives.
A celebration of culture
The stage came alive with the incredible diversity of South Asian culture. From Indian classical dance and Pakistani folk songs to Bollywood music, poetry, yoga, and Punjabi and Urdu performances, every contribution added something unique to the celebration.
A huge thank you to Co-op for generously providing refreshments, and to our amazing staff, volunteers and Trustees who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the day possible.
As we look back on the celebration, we are reminded that our differences make us stronger, our stories bring us together, and our heritage gives us something to be proud of.