“Every town you go is your own, and every person you meet is your relation” - South Asian Heritage Month 2026
“Unity in Diversity” is this year's theme, and this month we are taking part in celebrating the extraordinary breadth and richness of South Asian communities in the UK and worldwide, and recognising the positive impact this has on NHS mental health services.
South Asia is a region of extraordinary diversity. Eight nations, hundreds of languages, multiple faiths, and millennia of shared and distinct histories. Each has been shaped profoundly by its relationship with Britain, and each contributes to the rich and complex heritage that SAHM exists to celebrate and explore.
People of South Asian heritage make up approximately one in every fourteen people in the UK, a significant and vibrant part of British society whose histories and contributions are woven into the fabric of national life.
Get to know Arun
Did you know that we have a number of staff members with South Asian heritage here at GMMH?
Amongst them is Dr Arun Chidambaram, our Chief Medical Officer.
Watch the video below to hear from Arun about his cultural heritage, and how it enriches his work within NHS mental health services.
Get to know more of our staff members…
Over the past month, we’ve been speaking with more of our staff with South Asian heritage. So watch this space for more ‘get to know’ videos, which we’ll be sharing in the coming weeks.
No Space for Racism
This South Asian Heritage Month, we want to take the opportunity to highlight the ‘No Space for Racism’ campaign, launched by the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership (GM ICP), which brings together all the health and social care services, local councils and community organisations across Greater Manchester.
Around 1 in 4 health and care staff in Greater Manchester have reported that they have experienced racism at work in the past year. This includes racist words, insults, being ignored or left out, being threatened and sometimes even violence. It is coming from the patients they are trying to care for, patients’ family and friends and even other members of staff.
Watch the campaign’s powerful video hearing from real staff about the impact this has on their lives here:
Even small actions can make a difference. Step in if it’s safe to do so, check in with the person affected, report it. All of these send a clear message: racism is not okay.
Visit the campaign website for practical advice on how to respond to racism safely and effectively.
No Space for Racism aligns with our commitment to becoming a safe, inclusive and anti-racist organisation for all.
You can find out more about how we are taking action to drive real and meaningful change through our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2025-2028, here.
