On 12th November, members of Newcastle Hospitals’ Race Equalities Network came together to host a cultural event, Kaleidoscope of Cultures, celebrating the extensive mix of cultures that make Newcastle Hospitals a great place to work.
The event – which was supported with grant funding of £5,000 from Newcastle Hospitals Charity – was held at the Eagles Community Arena, and saw guests arrive in the attire of their culture, or in their best suits and dresses.
Entertainment on the night spanned the globe, featuring a steel band, Irish dancing, African dancing, Bollywood dancing, Henna painting, a DJ and a raffle. The food was also a world affair, including dishes from African, Caribbean, English, Filipino, and Indian cuisines.
Odeth Richardson, Chair of the Race Equalities Network and Head of the Occupational Therapy Service at Newcastle Hospitals, applied for charitable funding to support the event. She said:
“Following the pandemic, it is important for staff to recharge and refresh. As BAME Staff were significantly impacted by the pandemic, the network felt it was important to have a celebratory event where staff can relax and recharge away from the work environment.
“Charitable funding for this event allowed us to offset some of the costs, and allowed us to offer free and discounted tickets to staff members on a lower income.”
The night was a huge success and the network are hoping to hold more events in 2023!
