Durham Cricket Foundation held a felt lantern making class to celebrate the festival of lights at Seat Unique Riverside.
Welcoming volunteers, staff and participants from Young Asian Voices (YAV), the event fostered a space for cultural exchange while marking and appreciating the rich traditions of Diwali.
The class was led by participants from the Foundation’s ongoing arts and crafts sessions, who shared their skills and passion for crafting with YAV, while creating lanterns symbolising the victory of light over darkness.
The event created a brilliant gathering between participants of the two charities – Durham Cricket Foundation and YAV – further extending the long-standing partnership between them.
Durham Cricket Foundation and YAV began working together in 2016 as part of a Street Cricket programme in Sunderland (supported by Chance to Shine) which provides easy to access, free opportunities for the city’s minority ethnic groups and wider community to get involved in cricket.
Since, the partnership has expanded to wider aspects beyond the game, with the Diwali celebrations continuing this.
Durham Cricket Foundation CEO Graeme Weeks said: “Celebrating Diwali with Young Asian Voices at Seat Unique Riverside is a special occasion for us and we’re proud to be able to hold events like these.
“It was brilliant to be able to celebrate together, and really great to see ladies from our arts and crafts sessions mentoring and guiding the activity. It’s heartening to see people who have been involved in our free classes take on leadership roles, sharing their skills while exchanging and learning about cultural heritage with others.
“At Durham Cricket Foundation, we are committed to fostering inclusivity and cultural awareness. Events like this not only celebrate the rich traditions of our diverse community but also strengthen the bonds that unite us.”
Angela Sheridan, Durham Cricket Community Inclusion Officer, said: “Our ladies jumped at the chance to come and lend a hand. It was great to see them take on a bit of a leadership role and takes them out of their comfort zone.”
“We’re very proud and very blessed to have this opportunity to work with Young Asian Voices – they do amazing work in the region.”