Supporting South Asian Heritage Month 2025
First established in 2020, the month-long campaign celebrates the diverse heritage and cultures that link the UK to eight countries that form the region of South Asia; they include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
This year’s theme is ‘Roots to Routes’, exploring the rich journey of growth, and the evolving connections we make through generations. Read our South Asian Heritage Month blog, where Heena Mahmood shares her reflections on the path she has travelled in her professional and personal life.
Over the next four weeks NHS organisations are encouraged to support the month and host events, share stories, reflect and showcase the rich heritage that has contributed to the diversity of our NHS.
South Asians have had a huge impact on society in the UK, and in particular in the NHS and healthcare sector. The NHS has a higher proportion of staff from South Asia than the wider economy: these staff made up 5.3 per cent (75,473) of the NHS workforce in 2023.
The challenges facing our diverse workforce
Many South Asian and ethnically diverse colleagues are likely to have faced barriers and challenges that do not exist for everyone. Various world events have led to increased racism towards Muslim and South Asian communities, alongside a continued increase in prejudiced hate crime and stereotyping.
Research conducted by Totaljobs and the Diversity Trust in 2022 highlights inequalities in recruitment processes and employment opportunities. It identified that South Asian women specifically face significant barriers in the recruitment process.
Visit the South Asian Heritage Month website to learn more about the campaign, access their calendar of activities and download the campaign logos.
To join the conversation on X use #SouthAsianHeritageMonth #RootsToRoutes or follow the BME Leadership Network on LinkedIn.
