Parent’s help-seeking for, and care of, a sick or injured child during Covid-19: a new national survey

SAaS is always supportive to its members who are involved in academic, research or other extracurricular activities. Dr Mala Raman, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth has been involved in an interesting collaborative research related to welfare of children affected with Covid-19. The University of Plymouth, a partner of this collaborative research has launched a survey to find out how the Stay Home advice during the pandemic has influenced parents’ decision making and care of sick or injured children. The survey results will advance understanding of how these extraordinary times are affecting parents thinking about, and perception of, access to services for children when they are sick or injured. Nationally the number of children being seen in primary care and emergency departments has dropped substantially in the UK since the advice to ‘Stay Home’. This has led to concern that some children are getting treatment late in the course of an illness and it is assumed that this is because parents are worried about seeking help. The findings from this survey will provide the evidence to underpin the development of information for parents to help them get help for their children when they need it during the pandemic and afterwards.

The University of Plymouth team is collaborating with University College London, the University of Leicester, University of Northampton, South West Academic Health Science Network, Derriford Hospital, the ASK SNIFF team and parent panel, Mother’s Instinct support group, Meningitis Now, the Meningitis Research Foundation and the UK Sepsis Trust.

Please support  this important research by filling a brief questionnaire and return as per the link below:

https://wh1.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=158885348067

Annual Cultural Event 2019

The 2019 annual cultural celebrations gave exposure to the community members to new vistas and further fostered the multicultural environment present within Devon and Cornwall. The cultural event staged 14 performances highlighting a wide variety of themes from south Asia. The event was attended by the Deputy Lord Mayoress, Councillor Chris Penberthy, MP’s (Sir Gary Streeter, Luke Pollard, Rebecca Smith), police and crime commissioner of Devon and Cornwall (Alison Hernandez).

SAaS joins Respect Festival 2019

The Festival which showcases Plymouth’s diversity and enables different communities to come together and promote the intrinsic message of respect and equality for all. Organised by the Plymouth and Devon Racial Equality Council, the one-day event includes parades through the city centre, live music, dancing, children’s activities, world food, information stands and much more! Since humble beginnings in 1998, Plymouth RESPECT Festival has continued to grow and develop each year. Similar to previous years SAaS participated with much fanfare and was a very successful event. There were a number of performances from the South Asian Community as part of the programme. We would like to thank PDREC once more for the initiative and their support. Please view the gallery for some images from the event.

Respect Festival 2019

This year Plymouth Respect Festival turns 21 and will be celebrating in style, with world music and dance at Plymouth Guildhall.

There will be world food stalls in the Guildhall car park to tempt your taste buds and free and exciting activities for children and young people in the lower Guildhall. To celebrate the upcoming festival we’ve been to meet some members from fascinating communities in Plymouth.

There will be a range of performances from the South Asian community during the event including participation in the parade. We will also provide some south Asian snacks in our stall with the hope to raise funds for the Brain Cancer Charity in Plymouth.

Award from Police and Crime Commissioner’s Team

The South Asian Society of Devon and Cornwall, which was co-formed by international students and staff from the University, has been highly commended in the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Team Award at the Devon and Cornwall Police Volunteer Awards 2019. The Society looks to enhance awareness of South Asian culture through a variety of activities to promote racial unity and was recognised for its significant and sustained contribution to community wellbeing. The trustees (current and previous), as a team, are privileged to act as volunteers to promote and contribute to the objectives of the society. These include organisations of various cultural, educational, sporting and charitable activities throughout the year. This also entails linking with other organisations and stakeholders in the region. 

AGM 2019

The Annual General Meeting 2019 was successfully convened on the 2nd of June 2019 and was attended by the trustees but Jayanti Bhai (who was unwell) and a large number of members. We had a number of cultural performances followed by the meeting and refreshments. We thank all the participants for their contributions and participation. All existing trustees to continue for another year.

A special tribute was arranged for Mrs Anjana Bhagwanji. In Anjanaben’s departure, we have lost a generous, hospitable, hardworking and kind-hearted member. We pray for the peace of the departed soul. 

New Associate Trustees
Dr Satish BK 
Mr Abhijeet Ghatghe
Dr Smita Tripathi 

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AGM 2019

We cordially invite you to participate in the 2019 Annual General Meeting (AGM 2019) of SAaS

Date – Saturday, 1st June 2019
Time 3-7pm (arrival 3 pm for 3.15 Start)
Location – Sherwell Church, Plymouth University, PL4 8AA

Agenda:
1. Welcome: Soft Drinks / coffee / tea
2. Tribute to Anjanaben
3. Short Cultural programme plus Prize distribution
3. A. Welcome by the chairperson
B. Secretary – report
C. Treasures Report.
4. Members comments- AOB
5. Food served and socialisation- 5:30pm onwards
06:30 pm close

If members want to discuss anything, in particular, please email us (chairpersonsaas@gmail.com) your agenda item by 18th May so that we can add it under the General Meeting item. Please confirm your attendance by 18th May for catering purposes and let us know if you have any dietary requirements (e.g. allergies etc.).

We encourage our members to participate in the cultural programme. If you/your child would like to participate for a short performance for the programme please send an email to chairpersonsaas@gmail.com by 18th May

Please note, photographs will be taken during the event and will be used to promote the work of the society externally. By attending the event you are providing consent to use these photos for the above-mentioned purpose. If you do not want us to use any of your photographs then please let us know via email by 18th May.

All trustees please email (chairpersonsaas@gmail.com) at least 2 weeks prior to AGM (i.e.18th May 2019) that you would like to serve as a trustee for next year. If anyone would like to join as an associate trustee, please send an email to chairpersonsaas@gmail.com by18th May 2019.

We look forward to seeing you all during the AGM.

Thank you

SAaS Trustees

Obituary – Mrs Anjanaben Bhagwanji

25 July 1951 - 05 January 2019 

It is with great sadness, we have to inform you that Mrs Anjanaben Bhagwanji, a founding member of South Asian Society (SAaS) passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, 5th January 2019 at her residence in Plymouth. 

Those who have been associated with SAaS would know that Anjanaben worked, passionately, tirelessly and selflessly for the progress of the society since its establishment in 2003. She not only assisted her husband, Mr Jayanti Bhagwanji (affectionately known as Jayantibhai) performing his duties as trustee and long-time treasurer of the society but also contributed to the society in many ways including catering, organising many successful events (including AGMs and Annual Diwali-Eid events). She also donated generously to all the charitable activities SAaS undertook. 

As its founding member, Anjanaben also very actively worked for the Plymouth Hindu Community. She also assisted Jayantibhai to organise many events for Masonic (Freemason) Victory Lodge No 4189. 

By Anjanaben’s departure, we have lost a generous, hospitable, hardworking and kind hearted personality. We pray for the peace of the departed soul. May God give enough strength to bear this loss to Jayantibhai, his son and daughter-in-law, Vimal and Suzanne; daughter and son-in-law, Anita and Manish, the grandchildren and a very big family besides large number of friends. The wider society will greatly miss Anjanaben.             

Season’s Greetings

Dear Members

As another holiday season approaches, we send our warmest wishes to you and your family. May you find the true spirit of the season and may it fill your heart with joy. Whatever is beautiful, whatever is meaningful, whatever brings happiness, may it be yours this holiday season and throughout the coming year.

Wishing you laughter, contentment, joy and peace in 2019 and always.

SAaS Trustees

Eden project visit – Free entry

We are delighted to announce that in collaboration with the EDEN project, we have been able to secure a free of charge admission to Eden project on the Saturday 12th of January 2019.
 
Whilst in EDEN, you may like to take the opportunity of upgrading to a Local’s Pass.  This gives you unlimited admission to Eden project and all of their wonderful seasonal programmes until the end of October 2019 and can be purchased at the time of your visit.  They will also have ice rink up and running, and advance booking is recommended (there is a charge for this activity). These opportunities might change so please check the Eden Project website for an updated information.

The current ticket prices are £64 for a family of 4 or £25 per adult and £12.50 per child. This is a great opportunity to avail (for FREE) and explore EDEN as a community event. We have a limited number of places and we need to let them know in advance. Please fill in the following form to express your interest. We have also investigated the option to travel as a group in a coach. If we have enough members interested to travel as a group we will book a coach. Ticket prices per seat will be between £7-£10 depending on final numbers. We need to inform them by 2nd January 2019 latest.