Left to right: Mahsarat Khaliq and Anum Riaz
One of the most important challenges facing us is demonstrating a clear sense of diversity and understanding of our place within the multi-cultural fabric of Sheffield life.
And that’s where volunteers Mahsarat Khaliq and Anum Riaz have an important part to play.
They have been recruited by our Community Engagement Worker Naureen Khan as part of a new Community Liaison team, which in 2019 will be working closely with our Community Nursing team to take our specialist services out into every part of the city.
They have also been providing support at our hugely popular weekly Gupshup Club, at Clifford House, specifically to introduce Sheffield’s South Asian community to the facilities and services available for free to all at St Luke’s.
The weekly mix of conversation and cultural interchange between differing cultures has proved a hit with visitors who enjoy the relaxed opportunity to simply chat and make new friends.
“It’s a very exciting time for us and it’s good to see people getting to know not only about everything St Luke’s has to offer but also experiencing different cultures,” says Anum.
As part of their support role in the wider community, Mahsarat, Anum and their fellow volunteers will provide a vital bridge in encouraging understanding of what St Luke’s is all about.
“I think sometimes people get isolated in their own homes and the Gupshup Club has been a way out of that, somewhere for them to come and meet new people,” says Mahsarat.
“Now I can’t wait to help take out the message into our community that St Luke’s doesn’t belong to any culture or colour, but it is for everyone who needs help and support.”