The Sikh Network congratulates both Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick and Siri Guru Singh Sabha Northampton & Sikh Community Centre & Youth Club (SCCYC) for receiving the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.
Volunteers from Guru Nanak Gurdwara, a Sikh spiritual centre based in Smethwick, West Midlands, was established in 1961 the Gurdwara, is one of the oldest and largest in the United Kingdom which voluntarily provides a very diverse range of services for the whole community. In 2018 Historic England chose the Gurdwara amongst the top 10 places which bring England’s extraordinary history of faith and belief to life. The Gurdwara sahib has played a pivotal and leading role in national and internal Sikh affairs. In 2018 they also erected the ‘Lions of the Great War’, a monument to Sikh soldiers in the World Wars.
Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick’s president, Jaswinder Singh said: “We are absolutely delighted with this wonderful award, it serves as a great recognition of the amazing work of all the volunteers (Sevadaars) at Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick. The Gurdwara provides a high standard of diverse services to meet the needs of the local community.” “On behalf of the management committee, I want to say a huge thank you to all involved since the establishment of Guru Nanak Gurdwara for making it so welcoming, engaging and impactful for the diverse communities we serve in the name of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.”
Siri Guru Singh Sabha Northampton and Sikh Community Centre & Youth Club (SCCYC), a group of volunteers based in Northampton have also been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and both were part of the 230 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year.
Siri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara is not only a religious place of worship for Sikhs, but it also provides many services to the community including educational school trips, language classes Punjabi & English, health and wellbeing sessions, social activism and support and poverty services
Siri Guru Singh Sabha Northampton and Sikh Community Centre & Youth Club (SCCYC), Trustee, Amarjit Singh Atwal said “I’m delighted our organisations which have been established for over 40 years have been recognised with this highest award for voluntary services. Although we are a small community, through the commitment and dedication of our volunteers we have a big output of services across Northampton. I pay tribute to hard work and commitment of our past and present volunteers whose selfless efforts have led to this award and recognition”.
Jas Singh of the Sikh Network said “This is a great achievement and recognition for both the Gurdwaras and the Sikh community. Selfless service for others (Seva) is a key principle and cornerstone of the Sikh faith, which is practised in all Gurdwaras across the country. Both of these Gurdwaras play a vital role in their respective communities and are highly deserving of this award. I would also like to thank both Amarjit Singh Atwal and Jaswinder Singh for their commitment and ongoing support as part of the Sikh Network.”
03 June 2020
Thankyou
The Sikh Network