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About the CSGB
The Council of Sikh Gurdwaras in
Birmingham, an umbrella organization of all the Sikh Gurdwaras in
Birmingham, established now for the last 14 years. Since its inception
in 1989 The Council of Sikh Gurdwaras has been successful in developing
a collective voice, and in establishing the need for the community
to be an integral part of the system to ensure equitable service
delivery.
To meet this objective The Council of Sikh Gurdwaras
provides a channel for two way communication, communication which
is increasingly becoming sophisticated as understanding of needs
and empowerment of the community increases. The Council has always
looked at the city's Gurdwaras for inspiration, ideas and agenda
in its day to day work, and appreciates the support it receives
from Birmingham City Council to keep the process moving.
‘Serving Needs Through Community
Infrastructure’
A Role for Gurdwaras
Gurdwaras are the main centres for social and cultural activity
as well as religious services within the Sikh community. Most Gurdwaras
administer the following services: Supplementary schools Basic skills
training Arts provision Welfare services: advice and support Day
centres Community kitchens Libraries CSGB sees the inclusion of
Gurdwaras in service led partnerships as an integral aspect of equitable
service, complementary to the mainstream sector. Speedy developments
are taking place in day care, access to training and employment,
childcare provision and health promotion within Gurdwaras through
the development of linkage with the health authority, Colleges,
private business, advice and welfare agencies and city departments.
Community Consultation
The Council consults with the local mainstream statutory and voluntary
agencies on policy and strategies which affect the local Sikh community,
ranging from economic influences to socio-cultural perspectives.
It would be impossible to discuss the extent of consultation which
the CSGB has given in its short history, however, some examples
largely from the past year are given below and serve as an illustration
of consultation work carried out. Consultation has been far reaching
and has included strategic and corporate strategies for city-wide
plans, as well as community specific issue based needs.
Punjabi Language Broadcasts
The CSGB has run a Radio Station Annually. CSGB has shared success
with other regional community groups with the inclusion of Panjabi
news on the BBC Radio's Asian Network.
Guidelines for Schools
Guidelines for Sikh Children in Birmingham's Schools
The completion of Guidelines for Sikh Children, another first for
the Sikh community. Copies of the guidelines are available from
the office.
Sikhs into the Millenium
The Council of Sikh Gurdwaras in Birmingham (CSGB) was successful
in organising a Sikh needs analysis conferences in 2000, from which
emerged a report that is available from our office.
Sikhs in to the Millennium conference drawn
up action plans for the Sikh Community for the coming 5-10 years.
Several issues, which emerged, have successfully been included in
policy reviews and planning criterion. If you would like a copy
of this report, please contact us.
Identifying Community
Needs
The Council of Sikh Gurdwaras (CSG) was successful in organising
one of the first community Sikh needs conferences in 1993, from
which emerged the report 'Identifying Community Needs and Developing
Strategies'.
Community strategies were drawn from the report
and have been sent to city departments for discussion. Some of these
strategies have further been presented to city departments as opportunities
for partnership. Several issues, which emerged, have successfully
been included in policy reviews and planning criterion. If you would
like a copy of this report, please contact us.
Monitoring
One of the fundamental priorities, which resulted from community
consultation, was the need to monitor the Sikh ethnicity category
and use of community infrastructure. A review of the city's categories
for ethnicity monitoring purposes has led to the inclusion of the
Sikh category as an optional category. It is hoped that this will
discontinue the perception of the Sikh community as an otherwise
invisible community in relation to policy.
Council of Sikh Gurdwaras
in Birmingham
3 Grove Lane
Handsworth
Birmingham
B21 3ES
UK
Tel: 0121 523 4144
Fax: 0121 554 6781
www.sikhcouncil.com
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