Shree Bharatiya Mandal, Indian Association Tameside is a registered charity (1045607), established in 1964. Tameside during the 1950’s and 1960’s had an influx of Indian migrants from India and East Africa, who sought opportunities to work in the local mills, eventually settling down. As the population of Indians in Tameside increased, there was a growing need for a place for Indians to come together. That need was met with the purchase of a retired Catholic Primary School in 1972. Over the next few decades, the community continued to grow and coordinate with the local authority and voluntary groups.
In 1999, the charity secured funding from the National Lottery and together with donations from the community and well-wishers, a new Ambaji temple and community centre was constructed. The community centre became a focal point for the Hindu and Indian community in Tameside and Greater Manchester to celebrate large scale Hindu festivals and drive various fundraising campaigns such as cancer awareness and muscular dystrophy.
Many of the projects the charity undertakes are managed and led by volunteers, such as providing warm Gujarati meals through our Meals on Wheels project and running a luncheon club for over 20 years for the elderly and socially vulnerable. A number of groups and classes take place weekly, such as learning Gujarati, music, yoga, youth, neighbourhood action and Kumon.
Over the years, the charity has been a vital benefactor to the initiatives of Hindu Council UK – North and Hindu Forum of Britain, promoting Hindu practice and values as well as contributing towards raising matters concerning the Hindu and Indian community.