As the UK’s first UN-recognised “Human Rights City”, a sense of tolerance, inclusion and a welcoming attitude to diversity is something we come to expect every day in York. But this sense is only so well assured because of the hard work that organisations like Eimaan Culture and Community Services (CIC) do to build support between our communities.
They organise appropriate events and opportunities, provide diverse expertise, and deliver cultural awareness and lived experience training to improve that wider understanding in the community. Read on to learn a little more about what they do, and what they’ve got planned later this year.
What is lived experience training?
The group’s founder, Shamim Eimaan was herself a child refugee, she first came to the UK when Idi Amin expelled the Asian community from Uganda in 1972, before eventually settling in York in the 1980s. We can define “lived experience” as an understanding of something that only a person who has actually experienced that thing can have. As a result, Shamim has “lived experience” of the impact of mass expulsion and of becoming a refugee.
After working for 30-years as a manger in the health sector, Shamim has combined her skills in communication with her passion for supporting underrepresented groups and for sharing her own story.
This culminated in the creation of “Rebuilding Lives – 50 Years of Ugandan Asians”; a historical exhibition celebrating the legacy of the 27,000 people of Asian descent that rebuilt their lives in the UK after they were expelled from Uganda in 1972. It is touring schools and public spaces around York and surrounding areas throughout the rest of the year.
Through interactive and reflective workshops, participants learn to engage with and listen empathetically to others’ stories, recognising the impact of factors like race, gender, socioeconomic status as well as the impact of individual experiences that are encountered through significant events.
How do organisations benefit from “lived experience” training?
Focused around cultural competency, — which teaches the ability to understand and respect different cultures’ values, beliefs, and attitudes— this training helps organisations to better understand the different people from different cultural backgrounds that make up their workforce, which in turns keeps the organisation safe from legal issues, all while ensuring that employees feel safer and happier at work. It also enhances an organisation’s ability to deliver services that are suitable for purpose.
Cultural appropriate events
A big highlight of 2024 for Eimaan CCS was winning a York Community Pride award for one of the events that they organised — the York Health Mela 2023. The event showcased everything York has to offer, from Bollywood dancing and Ukrainian Choir singing to Morris Dancing and Capoeira! York Museum Trust, Joseph Rowntree Foundation Trust and Humber and North Yorkshire integrated Care Board (ICB) were the formal sponsors. Several local health and wellbeing organisations were also in attendance to provide information and advice to visitors to empower communities to take better care of their health and wellbeing.
REBUILDING LIVES — 50 YEARS OF UGANDAN ASIANS; a historical exhibition celebrating the legacy of the 27,000 people of Asian descent that rebuilt their lives in the UK after they were expelled from Uganda in 1972. It is touring schools and public spaces around York throughout the rest of the year.
5 APRIL
YORK EID & QAWWALI PARTY, New Earswick Folk Hall, 12-6pm. An afternoon of Qawwali, traditional food, wellbeing, storytelling, arts and crafts, music and more. Qawwali is a traditional form of Sufi Islamic singing, go along and see it performed by Zahir Abbas Qawaal! Organisers have asked that you please bring along a generous plate of food for your group. A discretionary donation will be welcome.
11 MAY
YORK HEALTH AND ARTS MELA, York Museum Gardens and Exhibition Square. 10am-5pm. A day packed full of multi-cultural entertainment and activities that will showcase everything York has to offer, from local Bollywood dance, Taiko drummers, Ancient Giants to the Ukrainian Choir! Alongside the entertainment and great food, there will be information stands focused on Health, Wellbeing and the Arts sector.
28 JUNE
BOLLYWOOD CRUISE ON THE RIVER OUSE. City Cruises York – Kings Staith Landing, King’s Staith, York. 7 -10pm. Join in the fun, enjoy the views on the river and naach (dance) to the best of Bollywood and Bhangra music along with other genres. Book now to ensure you don’t miss this unforgettable experience!
These events are fantastic at bringing people together and helping them to fully appreciate the shared humanity we all have, despite the vastly different cultural backgrounds and life experiences many across York have.
To read about the events, training courses and bookings in more detail, head to www.eimaanccs.co.uk.
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