From 18 July to 17 August 2024, we proudly celebrated South Asian Heritage Month with a series of events designed to honour the richness, diversity, and influence of South Asian cultures at the HCPC. At the heart of our celebration was an engaging and insightful webinar that brought together employees from across the organisation to share their personal stories, cultural backgrounds, and how their South Asian heritage has shaped their lives and careers.

The webinar served as a platform for employees to reflect on their journeys, highlight their achievements, and explore how their cultural identities have influenced their career paths, personal values, and professional growth. It was an opportunity to deepen our collective understanding of the diversity within our organisation while celebrating the vibrant heritage of our South Asian colleagues.

For many of our South Asian colleagues, navigating the intersection of their cultural identity and professional life has been both a challenge and a source of strength. The webinar provided a space for employees to reflect on their experiences of being part of two worlds – balancing cultural traditions with the realities of growing up or working in the West.

The influence of South Asian culture on career paths and achievements was a central theme of the webinar. Many employees spoke about how their cultural values – such as the emphasis on education, respect for elders, and strong work ethic – have been key drivers in their professional journeys.

As we reflect on the powerful stories shared during South Asian Heritage Month, we are reminded of the incredible contributions of our South Asian employees to the HCPC’s success. Their diverse experiences, perspectives, and talents enrich our organisation and help drive innovation, collaboration, and compassion.

By creating spaces like the webinar for open conversation, we continue our commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace where everyone can thrive, regardless of their background. As we move forward, we will build on these discussions to ensure that diversity is not only celebrated but also integrated into every aspect of our work.