If you live, work or study in Southall, then you know it’s not just another town, it’s an experience. Every year thousands of people visit Southall to taste global culinary delights, particularly the flavours of southern Asia and eastern Africa, shop for south Asian traditional clothing and accessories and, depending on the time of year, take part in one of the many events that celebrate the faith, culture and traditions that make up Southall’s communities. All of this and more could not happen without you, a community of people shaped by your histories and experience of migration.
Your roots have been established and connections have been made through your faith, culture and traditions, which are ever present in each corner, and reflected within diverse, often iconic, places of worship across Southall. Since the 1950s, people have come together in tough times to fight for their rights, creating well-known community groups like Southall Black Sisters and The Monitoring Group.
Throughout the year, the town hosts a variety of events, both religious and secular. From Pongal, Vaisakhi, Eid ul Fitr, Eid ul Adha, and Easter, to the Indian wedding season, summer cricket, Diwali, and Guru Nanak’s birth in autumn, there’s always something happening. And don’t forget Hallowe’en, Guy Fawkes, and Christmas!
Southall knows how to have a great time with community sports events, Let’s Go Southall, the social movement that enables people to keep themselves healthy and enjoy their busy lives, and the range of activities put on by Mael Gael. At the same time it provides a compassionate support network in and through churches, gurdwaras, mandirs, masjids and the secular community organisations that are part of Southall Community Alliance and others like Golden Opportunities Skills and Development (GOSAD), helping people throughout their time of need.
The recent addition of the Elizabeth Line has made Southall more accessible, and it’s quickly become an attractive destination, especially with younger people moving in. The new linear park in The Green Quarter offers a space for relaxation, complemented by the OPEN Southall community facility near the Paddington arm of the Grand Union Canal.
*Budgets are set by size of town population
Are you over-18 and available to join a friendly group of people, that meet up regularly to help guide the activities and decisions on how local resources and budgets can support you town's chosen priorities?
If you have the time and you see yourself as someone who is good at solving problems, have ideas about how to improve your local area, appreciate the views of others and can listen with empathy then your local Town Team needs your support.
Preparing for major emergencies
Ealing and Hounslow CVS, Ealing Council and The British Red Cross are hosting community resilience workshops across our borough.
Residents, community groups, businesses and the faith sector are invited to join us to prepare for responding to emergencies together.
Shape and influence the health and wellbeing agenda for older people from African and Caribbean communities
We are looking for people with direct lived experienced as patients, carers, relatives or friends of older people using health and social care services to be part of our research advisory group.
Canalside Improvements and Wellbeing
The Southall Grand Union Canal Wellbeing Way is a green corridor that wraps around Southall, allowing local people to step away from the urban streets and connect with nature.
Keeping Feet to the Flames
A independent Citizen’s Tribunal has been established to follow up on recommendations made by the Ealing Race Equality Commission and to hold the council and its partners to account on the delivery of its commitment and responsibilities to fight race inequality and promote race equality.