Askham Village Community recently brought together residents, team members, families, friends and members of the wider community for its annual Cultural Day, a celebration of the many cultures, traditions and experiences that make up life across the organisation.
Held at the end of May, the event welcomed cultures from around the world, including Lithuania, South Africa, England, India, Mexico, Spain, the Philippines, Kenya, Scotland, Thailand, Wales, Latvia, Italy, France, Ireland, Nepal and Bangladesh. Through traditional food, music, performances and activities, the day highlighted Askham’s commitment to community, inclusion and belonging.
Continue reading to discover how Askham’s annual Cultural Day brought people together to celebrate diversity, share traditions and strengthen connections across the community.
Celebrating the diversity of the Askham community
Cultural Day provides an opportunity for colleagues from across the organisation to share their heritage, traditions and cuisines while celebrating the values that bring the Askham community together.
The event showcased a wide range of cultures and backgrounds represented within Askham’s workforce, reflecting the diversity that helps shape both the organisation and the care provided to residents.
Team members and their families generously prepared and shared traditional dishes, giving residents, colleagues and visitors the opportunity to experience different cultures through food, conversation and shared experiences.
Bringing residents, families and the wider community together
One of the key aims of Cultural Day is to create opportunities for people to connect.
The event was open not only to residents and team members, but also to families, friends and members of the wider community. This helped create a welcoming environment where people from different backgrounds and generations could come together, celebrate their cultures and build new connections.
Alongside the international cuisine, attendees enjoyed music, henna artists, family-friendly entertainment and activities for all ages, creating a vibrant atmosphere throughout the day.
Traditional dance performance highlights the celebration
A particularly memorable moment of the day was a traditional dance performance by Manu Magar, Head of Care and Nursing Services, and her family. Their performance brought energy, colour and cultural pride to the celebration and was warmly received by residents, colleagues and visitors alike.
Reflecting on the event, Manu shared:
“Cultural Day is one of my favourite events of the year because it gives people the opportunity to share something personal about themselves and their heritage. It was wonderful to see so many different cultures represented and to see residents, families and colleagues enjoying the celebrations together. The day was a reminder of how much we can learn from one another and how diversity strengthens our community.”
Community as a core value at Askham Village Community
At Askham, Community is one of the organisation’s five core values and plays an important role in everyday life across its services.
The organisation is proud of its diverse workforce and the many experiences, skills and perspectives that contribute to a welcoming environment for residents, families and colleagues.
Reflecting on the importance of the event, Mavrick Leveille, Associate Director of Operations and Quality, said:
“Community is one of Askham’s core values, and Cultural Day is a wonderful example of that value in action. It brings people together to celebrate different cultures, traditions and experiences while reinforcing the sense of belonging that makes Askham such a special place.”
Strengthening community through shared experiences
Bringing together colleagues, residents, families, friends and members of the wider community, Cultural Day celebrated the diversity of the Askham community and the connections that are built through sharing experiences and learning from one another.
The annual celebration continues to be an important part of Askham’s calendar, recognising the many cultures, traditions and backgrounds that contribute to life across Askham Village Community while promoting inclusion, belonging and mutual respect.
