MP cuts ribbon at Wolverhampton charity HQ

MPs, business leaders and members of the Sikh community came together to celebrate the unveiling of Jaikara's new offices.

The offices, which are based at Sunbeam Studios in Wolverhampton, will provide a central point for anyone looking to access services from the community interest group.

The group work to help victims and survivors of honour-based abuse, forced marriage, FGM, rape and sexual assault across the community.

Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden was on hand to cut the ribbon and said the services provided by the group were helpful to the whole community.

He said: "I can think of several campaigns and services they are organising at the moment, such as a campaign against period poverty to help young women get sanitary protection.

Safe space

"Jaikara has gone from strength to strength since it was founded by Councillor Rupinderjit Kaur, and it's great to be here to celebrate the office reopening and the services being offered."

The official opening was marked by speeches from Mr McFadden, trustee Nirmal Singh Kandhalvi and founder councillor for Springvale Rupinderjit Kaur, who spoke about what it meant to have a new office and place for people to come to.

She said: "It means a lot as people have a place to come to and we can deliver more services for them, which has been happening, but only from home.

"We've now got a safe space for women to come in and talk to us because it was difficult previously due to having to book rooms or go to their houses.

"Having Pat McFadden here today to open it as he's been a friend of mine for several years and has always been there to support the issues we highlight to him."

Jaikara will be starting a new campaign with other agencies in the region to launch a forced marriage directory, which will be published in several languages, including Urdu, Punjabi and Bengali.

To find out more visit jaikara.org.uk