OXFORD HINDU TEMPLE AND COMMUNITY CENTRE PROJECT 

Friendship, Food, Fun = 3F OHTCCP, registered charity 1131440, is recognised in Oxfordshire as a strong, effective community player, fostering community cohesion, integration, harmony & mutual ....more

Friendship, Food, Fun = 3F OHTCCP, registered charity 1131440, is recognised in Oxfordshire as a strong, effective community player, fostering community cohesion, integration, harmony & mutual respect. Our strength is organising events to bring the communities of Oxford together, and these are a testimony to our success in bringing together diverse cultures in Oxfordshire. During the last two years with social distancing, it’s difficult to get out of that habit & continue to meet, to garden and eat as communities thus we desperately need healing from Covid isolation & building on the good work done during that time. We are, and always have been, a community that comes together in front rooms and community spaces together with our families. Our wider reach has included the Syrian, Nepalese, Filipino, Muslim communities & other mainstream organisations. Aim: collaborate with Syrian Sisters, Filipino & Oxford Hindu Temple via three food related workshops “Communities that cook together, stay together,” is very appropriate. Food, a universal human need, is a natural way to break down barriers, lessen isolation, and learn new skills & access information. Through these three food related community & learning events, we will celebrate a joint cultural experience. This will positively help towards the recovery & renewal of our community to come together, share ideas, gain access to new resources & organisations. Our objectives: 1 To build community within, & across minority cultural communities by sharing recipes, food traditions & stories *We aim to break down barriers to use food Hubs by sign posting and normalising access to healthy food by connecting people to community fridge, Food Hub, pantries. Older members of these communities may be too proud access or lack awareness of services available. To make these services acceptable & easy to access to supplement their food with healthy alternatives, we’ll invite their members & also users of these facilities to share experiences. * Use community kitchen to cook & eat together as participating in a community kitchen breaks down social barriers, isolation & improves skills around healthy & affordable eating. Towards this we will have 3 workshops by communities listed where we will cook, share food, recipes & stories. It’s a friendly, yet non threatening way to encourage access to healthy food yet feel supported. 2 Befriending *Support & match up community need with volunteers – start with 5 volunteers responsible for 5 members * Support by phone, help to access to services * Encouragement to join our monthly sessions * By getting together, members for the communities can make friendships and build up a network of support for each other 3 Awareness of healthy eating Encouragement to get away from packaged meals by offering recipes & menus geared to easy cooking Invite nutritionist to chat about healthy eating, issues, services available Encourage values of a plant based diet Funding We’re looking to access other funding. The grant will go towards hosting 3 workshops by the 3 communities, hire of hall, volunteer travel cost, publicity, food sharing & insurance.

We will spend the grant on setting up and organising our 13th annual Mela in Rose Hill Community Centre on the 13th anniversary of the founding of our organisation (Autumn 22). The Mela will provide ....more

We will spend the grant on setting up and organising our 13th annual Mela in Rose Hill Community Centre on the 13th anniversary of the founding of our organisation (Autumn 22). The Mela will provide an opportunity for residents from all backgrounds to come together post pandemic, have fun, socialise, meet new people, see friends and participate in/benefit from the following: • healthy activities such as the interactive Bollywood dance session (Jay Kumar); basketball, dodge ball & football activities run by Youth Ambition. Oxfordshire Cricket Association approached to run taster sessions; Go Active MOTs • tours of the Rose Hill Gym facilities and one of the raffle prizes will be gym membership • joint presentation of cultural activities –local & invited artistes to represent the diverse community we live in/encourage community interaction & widening participation for all age groups e.g. Jay Kumar & classical Indian dancers; Dragon School Band; Strawberry Fayre; Ashnah group; Sol Samba; Confluence; World Music; Drumming workshop & Dancing Oxford; Museum of Oxford, Science Oxford, & artistes helpful in involving children & young adults • information, advice and support stalls: The Oxford Mela will be run in partnership with other mainstream agencies, ie Oxford City Council, Education providers, NHS, Health & Wellbeing providers, Community Police & Fire Services, community groups and other charities, (Carbon group & recycling team; Oxford Food Hub; St John’s Ambulance; OCVA – volunteering opportunities) The grant will thus be spent on the following: • healthy international food • publicity • Professional performers (Oxford living wage) /transport • PA and DJ hire • Stage hire • refreshments Other income raised/in kind will cover: • Sports activities • Contribution to brochure (some business sponsorship) • contribution towards use of Rose Hill facilities • marquee hire volunteer expenses

OHTCCP has strong links with mainstream heritage sector providers & wish to open that access to communities. Through a series of food related community and learning events, socially excluded ....more

OHTCCP has strong links with mainstream heritage sector providers & wish to open that access to communities. Through a series of food related community and learning events, socially excluded communities will partner with and access support and resources from MOO to uncover food related stories and celebrate joint cultural experience

The aim of this project is to hold a social and cultural festival for people of Oxford to create greater cohesion and integration amongst the various diverse communities.

The ‘Making Music Together’ Project will bring together existing musical talent and latent skills within diverse groups so that everyone with an interest in sharing their cultural heritage has a ....more

The ‘Making Music Together’ Project will bring together existing musical talent and latent skills within diverse groups so that everyone with an interest in sharing their cultural heritage has a voice. They will have opportunities to contribute to vibrant programmes in which they have pride and a sense of ownership

OHTCCP aims to present multicultural activities for a secular society and to reach different communities of Oxford, the location of the Mela is moved every two years.