From recycling
millions of cans in London to recharging wells in rural India;
from campaigning against harmful addictions to providing pure
herbal medicines; from building and maintaining beautiful permanent
structures such as Delhi's Swaminarayan Akshardham
to setting up large platforms for single-day conventions; from
organising cultural festivals attended by millions to inspiring
individuals to lead a morally pure life; from providing free
education in India to giving extensive career guidance... BAPS
Swaminarayan Sanstha believes that social change can only come about if people join in
and sincerely contribute voluntary efforts towards removing society's
ills.
All of the activities detailed in this site are but small examples
of the vast contribution the organisation is making in all spheres
of life – moral, spiritual, cultural, educational, environmental
and social – all over the world.
Across the globe, BAPS arrange its activities through age groups. Some of the activities in the UK have been detailed below:
Bal-Balika Mandal (5-14 years of age)
- Nurturing children – providing essential support and moral guidance as children develop. As well as weekly classes in many centres around the UK, The Swaminarayan Sunday School is run in London to enable essential development work with the children to take place along with classes teaching Gujarati.
- Anti-bullying – offering professional workshops to educate and advise children on bullying
- Anti-addiction – offering advice and guidance to children and parents on the dangers of substance abuse.
- Summer/winter camps – providing a forum for children to engage themselves in various educational, sporting and entertaining activities
- Cultural performances and talent development – developing the latent talent of children and preparing them to perform in front of audiences
- Parental education on child development and individual parenting counseling/consultation
These are just some of the activities that recently led the UK BAPS Bal-Balika Mandal to be conferred the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in June 2009. Click here for more details.
For an overview of the Children’s Forum activities in the UK, please click here.
Kishore-Kishori Mandal (15-23 years of age)
- Education – providing coaching, mentoring and offering seminars to improve performances for students at GCSE, ‘A-Level’ and Undergraduate Degrees as well as offering careers guidance
- Anti-addiction seminars to raise awareness and tackle the effects of drug, solvency and alcohol abuse
- Sports – providing a platform for youths to engage in sporting competitions and activities as well as improve health and physical fitness
- Leadership/management training – preparing youths to enhance their careers by providing professional coaching
- Teambuilding seminars to instill values of fraternity amongst youths
Yuvak-Yuvati Mandal (23-40 years of age)
- Parenting seminars – offering parents an opportunity to attend courses lead by experts in the field of parent-child relationships
- Family workshops/seminars – providing an opportunity for families to address any family problems together in a relaxed environment
- Music concerts/exhibitions – skilled vocalists and instrumentalists perform cultural shows on a periodical basis
- Workshops and seminars on issues that affect youths today such as the Credit Crunch and Health Awareness
- Picnics, summer fairs and similar events to bring families and the local community together
Sanyukta-Mahila Mandal (40+ years of age)
- Health Awareness Events – regular health awareness events that cover a range of health issues that affect the Asian community with lectures from medical experts and interactive workshops and diagnosis
- Welfare activities – our volunteers visit the homes of those who are experiencing some form of difficulties and help to console them through their troubles
- Sponsored Walks are organised and the entire family participates to improve health and fitness, involve the local community and raise money for charities
- Group discussions are organised on a regular basis to discuss various issues that affect others of a similar age with practical solutions to these problems
- Please click here for the BAPS UK Annual Review 2009.
- Please click here for the BAPS UK Annual Review 2008.
- Please click here for the BAPS UK Year in Review 2007.
- Please click here for more details of BAPS activities worldwide.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
