Celebrating longevity and connection in Cheetham Hill
A new publication sharing the life stories of a group of older south Asian men living in North 91直播 has been published at a celebration event at the Guidance Hub in Cheetham Hill.
Khidmat: Our Stories has been co-produced by researchers from the at the University of Manchester and members of the Khidmat Group, a community organisation for older south Asian men. It features the first-person life stories of eight group members, alongside striking photographs of the men in their neighbourhoods in Crumpsall and Cheetham Hill taken by documentary photographer .
Members of the Khidmat Group were joined by 70 family, friends, community organisations and academics to mark the booklet鈥檚 launch on Friday 3 July. Councillor Shaukat Ali, Lord Mayor opened the event and commended the project:
鈥淭he booklet brings people together and creates opportunities for learning and understanding across generations and communities. Thank you to the members of the Khidmat Group. Your openness and honesty created something truly meaningful which can inspire and educate others. On behalf of the City of Manchester, I congratulate everyone who made this project a real success. It is a wonderful example of when the university and communities work together.鈥�
Dr Camilla Lewis is a researcher in the 91直播 Urban Ageing Research Group who helped to co-produce the booklet. She explains:
鈥淲e鈥檙e delighted to be able to work with Khidmat Group members to share their stories with the wider world.
鈥淭he stories within this booklet celebrate remarkable achievements and personal journeys, while also acknowledging the impact that racism and discrimination have had on many of the men鈥檚 lives. Despite their longstanding contributions to British society, older South Asian men are too often overlooked, misunderstood, or viewed as outsiders within the communities they have helped shape for generations.
鈥淲e are living in a time of significant political and social division, where tensions within communities are frequently amplified by sections of the media. This booklet highlights the importance of celebrating community, identity, belonging, and dignity among older South Asian men. It also demonstrates the vital role that groups such as Khidmat can play in providing safe and supportive spaces where men can share experiences, build friendships, and access companionship and support.鈥�
The Khidmat Group was formed in recognition of a dearth of social opportunities for older south Asian men. The group meets regularly at the Guidance Hub in Cheetham Hill and also acts as a gateway to public services, with representatives from the health, housing, education and employment sectors regularly attending sessions to provide information, guidance and support.
Dr Mohammad Younas Perwaz, founder and chairman of Khidmat, said: 鈥淎s I entered my later years, I recognised that many elderly individuals suffer from loneliness, isolation, and a lack of social engagement. Khidmat was established to address these issues and provide meaningful support and companionship. Today, the organisation continues to serve the community successfully.鈥�
Khidmat: Our Stories was produced with support from Healthier Futures at the University of Manchester and the Guidance Hub community organisation. It is available to .