Kirklees has a long history of migration and it continues to be a place of welcome. Kirklees communities have seen first-hand the social, cultural, religious and economic benefits that migration has delivered over multiple decades.
With 142 different languages spoken in Kirklees schools it’s evident that the area is rich in cultural heritage from across the globe. This is clearly evident in the video, One World Craft Group, which shows Kirklees’ cultural diversity at its finest and is a great example of what World Day of Cultural Diversity is all about. Before the coronavirus pandemic, One World Craft Group were successful in applying for a small grant fund from Kirklees Council. Using £500 from the ‘It’s Up To You’ fund they bought materials to ensure the longevity of their community group. In the video a variety of Kirklees residents whose diverse heritage is shared and celebrated while working on a banner for an upcoming literacy festival. Likewise, in the video, ‘A Poem for Batley Iftar 2020’, it shows the very best of Kirklees residents and specifically local poets, Batley Poets, who wrote and performed a poem for Batley Iftar during the national lockdown due to the pandemic.
To find out what support is available in Kirklees to migrants please visit the #KirkleesWelcomes blog.
