Words: Jane Knowles
As the festival of Diwali got under way this year, Dixons Unity Academy in Armley welcomed staff and members of the community to celebrate at the school.
Guests enjoyed the sounds of bhangra music and an enthusiastic group showed off their dance moves.
Party goers could also enjoy a delicious chickpea curry, spicy vegetable samosas and a refreshing salad all followed by a selection of Indian sweets including gulab jamun and jalebi. It was an opportunity for groups of friends and staff to come together and chat, catching up with each other’s news.
Diwali is the five-day Hindu festival of lights, which celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. It also celebrates wealth, not just the monetary kind but also wealth in terms of food and nourishment, success and empowerment.
West Yorkshire Fire Service also attended on the morning to share information and support regarding safety with fireworks and bonfires with both Diwali and Bonfire Night falling around the same time.
Members of the community who attend Unity Community on a regular basis stated that people “count down the days to coming” and that the venture “makes the school so accessible”. It has helped to establish links with primary schools in the area and is a “catalyst for other things happening”.
School staff also joined in the fun and Andrew Jones, Second in Department for PE and Health, said: “The atmosphere in the UC was brilliant today.”
Wendy Torley, Dixons Academies Trust Estates Portfolio Manager, visited the Academy and said: “What an absolute pleasure it was to see Unity Community buzzing with warmth, friendliness, and a real sense of togetherness this morning as the local community came together to celebrate Diwali.”
Jonathon Burn, Head of PE & Health, added: “The food was amazing, the community participating in dancing was amazing, and the fire engine attending was amazing.”
Dixons Unity Academy’s ‘Unity Community’ is an on-site social impact venture which serves the school’s community with a weekly food bank, uniform exchange, employment advice and numerous community events. You can find out more here.
Unity Community is openn term time every Friday 9.30am-11.30am and everyone is welcome, whether they have a child who attends the school or not.
The model for this community venture has been so successful other schools in the local area are now adopting it. WLD reported on Friday about the initiative at Leeds West Academy.
You can also experience Unity Community’s hospitality at the following events:
- Winter Warmer – Wednesday, 11 November, 5-6.30pm, featuring bingo, music and food. £1 entry
- Winter Fayre – Saturday, 28 November, 11am-2pm, stalls, activities, food and entertainment, £1 entry.
This article has been updated to clarify the opening times of the hub.
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