Making Connections

Making Connections: Celebrating 70 Years of Her Majesty The Queen’s Reign

This transformative initiative was spearheaded by a freelance session worker and therapist, focusing on mental health awareness within South Asian men’s groups. Through partnerships with three organizations in Oldham, we organized impactful sessions aimed at reducing the stigma surrounding mental health. The project led to the creation of a Creative Writing and Mental Well-being group, using poetry as a powerful tool to foster open conversations and reflection. Poetry, deeply embedded in South Asian culture, provided a culturally relevant and accessible medium for participants to express their thoughts and emotions, breaking down the barriers that often prevent discussions around mental health.

The project was successfully implemented in Rochdale, Oldham, and Greater Manchester, reaching diverse communities and encouraging dialogue on an often-taboo topic. The creative arts played a central role, allowing participants to engage in a process of healing, self-discovery, and connection through storytelling and artistic expression.

Thanks to the additional funding secured in 2023, we were able to extend the project’s reach, continuing our mission in Rochdale and Greater Manchester. With ongoing sessions, we aim to deepen the impact of this work by encouraging further participation and involvement from local communities.

The project is scheduled for completion in 2024, but its legacy will continue to influence how mental health is perceived and discussed within South Asian communities.