What an incredible six weeks it’s been!

I’m Kiran, and over the past six weeks I’ve had the opportunity to intern with the South Asian Heritage Trust (SAHT).

Reflecting on my internship, I’m so grateful for everything I’ve had the chance to experience. From creating a children’s activity book and attending fascinating events to meeting inspirational people along the way, it’s been a summer full of learning and unforgettable experiences. It’s been so rewarding to learn new skills and gain a much deeper understanding of the many
ways South Asian heritage is celebrated.

One of the main projects I worked on during my internship was creating a children’s activity book designed for children aged 5-8, celebrating South Asian culture, called
Let’s Discover South Asia. The book features fun and interactive activities exploring flags, food, animals, festivals, landmarks and much more! From brainstorming ideas
and designing activities to refining the content based on feedback, it was incredibly rewarding to see the project come together, and I am very proud of the final product.
It challenged me to think creatively about how to make learning engaging, fun and educational for young children, and I hope it will encourage children to discover and
celebrate South Asian cultures.

Alongside this project, I had the opportunity to attend a variety of events that each showcased different aspects of South Asian Heritage Month. One of the highlights
was attending a BBC Asian Network event at BBC Mailbox Birmingham, which involved a content creation workshop led by comedian and radio presenter
SMASHBengali and his producer, Sami Hussein. It was motivating to be surrounded by so many talented young creators who were clearly passionate about building
careers in content creation. The day also included a panel discussion about turning creative ideas into a business, which gave me a valuable insight into the
opportunities and challenges faced by successful creatives.

I also attended a South Asian creatives event, where professionals across the creative sector shared their personal stories, experiences and advice. Hearing their
stories was both motivating and reassuring, and it was encouraging to see successful South Asians represented across such a wide range of creative
industries, highlighting the diversity of careers within the community.

One of the most memorable experiences was being part of the Threads That Heal at Coventry Cathedral, a fashion show raising awareness of organ donation within
South Asian communities. I helped with setting up the event and preparing the models’ outfits and jewellery backstage. It was heart-warming to be part of such a
meaningful event that combined fashion, culture and a crucial message. Hearing the personal stories shared throughout the evening and meeting such resilient
individuals made it particularly memorable.

I also had the privilege of attending the South Asian Heritage Month celebration at the Speaker’s House in the Palace of Westminster. It was a fantastic opportunity to
network, meet people from a range of backgrounds (including some famous faces!), and hear speeches from influential figures celebrating the history and achievements of South Asian communities across the UK. It was a memorable evening and a reminder of the importance of recognising the significant impact which diversity has
had on our society.

Throughout these six weeks, I’ve gained so much more than practical experience. Meeting people who have made such a positive impact within their communities has
been incredibly inspiring and has encouraged me to think more confidently about my own future. I’ve also seen first-hand how much planning, collaboration and passion
go into delivering meaningful community events. Working with the SAHT has shown me the diverse areas in which South Asians play influential roles, including the
creative industry, education, and community engagement, and how these can celebrate heritage and bring people from different backgrounds together.

I’d like to say a huge thank you to the entire South Asian Heritage team for being so welcoming and helpful. I’d especially like to thank my manager, Harvinder, for her
encouragement, guidance and support throughout my internship. Her bravery and dedication to making each South Asian Heritage Month bigger and better is truly
admirable. My journey and the SAHT wouldn’t be the same without her passion, and I’m incredibly grateful for everything I’ve learned from her! This experience has been
one that I’ll reflect back on with pride, and I’m excited to take everything I’ve learned into the next step of my career.