Ilford UK: Building Bridges Day Community Chaplaincy and the Future of Sikh Youth

2014-09-24_Alison-TylerILFORD, UK—The event was organised to bring awareness to the community of the plight of prisoners and their needs after release upon completion of their sentences.  The event also honoured Revd Alison Tyler Regional Chaplain  (Chaplaincy HQ – NOMS) for her support and dedication supporting the Sikh Chaplaincy.

Gagandeep Singh Sikh (Chaplain /Training & Recruitment of HMP Wormwood Scrubs) shared his vision going forward and reported on the achievements of the Sikh Chaplain service within British prisons. Gagandeep shared his concern of the increasing numbers of young Sikh people in jails, stating it as a worrying upward trend.

Upkar Singh Rai shared his experience mentoring released prisoners and requested that a national campaign be taken up by Sikh Council UK to raise awareness at a national level. His personal experience has proved that its far more effective to help our youth during their earlier years than trying to fix broken men. As a community we have failed our youth generation after generation and it’s time to get back on track if we are to save future generations.

Inder Singh Chawla (Deputy Director Sikh Chaplaincy Service) praised the work done by the many volunteers of the Sikh Chaplaincy team and the professionals for their relentless work and the support rendered by Alison Tyler.

Harmander Singh (Sikhs in England) talked of the positive work that can be achieved if all resources were to be united and the need for there to be a professional attitude to chaplaincy service going forward by Sikh institutions.2014-09-24_Inder-SinghChawla

Amrik Singh Sohal (President Singh Sabha London East) presented an honouring trophy and a book detailing the WW1 Sikh contribution.

Tarsem Singh (Education Secretary Singh Sabha London East) delivered a speech detailing his experience with families of prisoners about their needs and the trials facing them emotionally and financially.

Revd Alison Tyler (Chaplaincy HQ Advisor/  Training and Development Manager) shared her life works and showed great knowledge of the Sikh religion and
ideology stating that had she not been a Christian then her obvious choice would have been the Sikh religion for its universal message for humanity and selfless service values that it embodies within society.

Many prominent dignitaries were present to show their support for the event, including Surinder Singh Jandu (Sikh Council UK), Balwinder Singh Saund (Sikh Women’s Alliance), Paminder Kaur Kondral (Sikh Chaplain Queens Hospital Romford).

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