Cha in the City Birmingham: A Discussion about Identity

What is this group about?

The Heera Foundation is a charity aiming to narrow the gap between psychological support & education, and its' accessibility. We believe that one of the key avenues towards positive mental health is through conversation and connection. Therefore, we started open groups for Punjabi communities to connect and discuss on topics we don't usually talk about!

This is an open group for those who identify as Punjabi men to engage in a discussion with others around a particular topic, to listen, learn, and share. We welcome Punjabis from all faith backgrounds – Sikh, Muslim, Hindu, Christian, other faiths, spiritualities, and those who practice no faith or are agonistic.

Who is this for?

This event welcomes all cis and trans men, as well as non-binary people who are comfortable in a space that centres the experiences of men who identify as Punjabi - of all faiths or indeed no faith. It's an open and safe space for those that want to share their thoughts or simply listen and connect.

What to expect?

Each month we will focus on a particular topic of importance and relevance. This session we will have be having a discussion about Identity. We will consider the following questions:

1) What factors define and shape our sense of self & identity?

1a) What factors have played the biggest roles in shaping our individual identity?

1b) How has Punjabi culture impacted our identity?

2) Are there any difficulties we have encountered in relation to our identity and establishing a sense of self?

3) How can we navigate this?

We provide a safe space to both listen or share. Our format usually involves:

- Introductions and Group Responsibilities

- Short Grounding Exercise

- Breakout Discussions

- Large Group Discussion

- Group Feedback and Ending

Thoughts can be shared, questions asked, or you can simply listen – there is no obligation to share your experiences, should you choose not to. Anonymous feedback is always encouraged at the end of the session, so we can continuously improve the group sessions.

If you want to, you can read a blog about what it's like to attend a Cha in the City open group here

Host or Publisher The Heera Foundation