Community groups joined forces to host a Diwali celebration for local residents at the Graiseley Strengthening Families Hub last night (Wednesday 27 October).
It was organised by Hit the Dhol and supported by the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Parent Champion volunteers and the YMCA. The event showcased how communities came together to celebrate the festival of light and proved how important it is to celebrate diversity through true partnership working with voluntary groups.
Louise Anderson, Head of Service for Strengthening Families at City of Wolverhampton Council which sponsored the event, said “We were really pleased to help support this Diwali celebration in our city which helped bring communities together to celebrate together. It was also important to show that by working together, we can create a really positive event for local people.”
Councillor Beverley Momenabadi, the council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, joined families at the event and said: “We were really pleased to help support this Diwali celebration and to bring families together to be part of the festival of lights.
“Wolverhampton is a diverse city and events such as this show what an inclusive city it is, too. I would like to thank everyone for their involvement, including our wonderful Parent Champion volunteers for making it happen.”
The council’s Parent Champions are mums and dads with experience of children’s services who "champion" the help available to others. Reeta Shemar, Parent Champion and Engagement Manager said, “This is one of many community events we intend to hold where communities can come together to help Relight the City.”
The volunteers work to build trust among families and inform parents about the various opportunities available to them, such as free childcare for three and four-year-olds and eligible two-year-olds, and support them to access
local services. To find out more and learn how to become a Parent Champion, please visit https://bit.ly/2TspuMp.
