Sunrise Multicultural Project

Sunrise Multicultural Project

30 Years of Community Impact Celebration Report

Supported by The National Lottery Community Fund

Report: Anila Malik – Community Engagement Officer/Fundraiser.

Celebrating 30 years cake

Introduction

On Sunday 24th May 2026, Sunrise Multicultural Project proudly celebrated 30 years of community impact with a special anniversary celebration attended by approximately 150 people, including beneficiaries, volunteers, staff, trustees, partners, funders and supporters, both past and present.

This special event was made possible with the support of The National Lottery Community Fund, whose funding helped us bring our community together to celebrate three decades of grassroots community work in Banbury.

Sunrise Multicultural Project first began in 1995 as a small grassroots community organisation supporting ethnically diverse families who faced barriers accessing services, opportunities and support. Over the past 30 years, Sunrise has grown into a trusted community charity providing support through women’s groups, men’s drop-ins, youth clubs, Saturday clubs, ESOL classes, wellbeing projects, refugee and asylum seeker support, domestic abuse support, community advice services and much more.

The event was an opportunity to reflect on Sunrise’s journey, celebrate the achievements of the charity, thank those who have contributed to its success and bring the community together in a positive and welcoming environment.

Aims of the Event

The aims of the celebration were to:

  • Celebrate 30 years of Sunrise Multicultural Project and its impact within the community
  • Bring together beneficiaries, staff, volunteers, trustees, partners and funders
  • Recognise and thank those who have supported Sunrise over the years
  • Strengthen community relationships and reduce social isolation
  • Celebrate diversity, inclusion and community cohesion
  • Create positive memories and experiences for families and attendees
  • Showcase the charity’s work and achievements over the past three decades

Event Delivery and Programme Schedule

The Sunrise Multicultural Project 30th Anniversary Celebration took place on Sunday 24th May 2026 from 1:00pm – 3:30pm and was carefully planned to create a welcoming, inclusive and engaging experience for attendees of all ages and backgrounds.

Preparation for the event began from 12:00pm with staff, volunteers and helpers supporting venue set-up, decoration preparation, food stations, raffle organisation, activity stations, sound checks and accessibility arrangements. This collaborative preparation reflected the strong volunteer and community spirit that has shaped Sunrise over the past 30 years.

The event officially opened at 1:00pm with a welcome reception where guests were invited to socialise, enjoy refreshments and participate in activities including face painting and family-friendly entertainment. This informal arrival period helped create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere where attendees from different backgrounds could comfortably connect and engage with one another.

At 1:30pm, the formal celebration began with a welcome speech delivered by the Sunrise team, reflecting on Sunrise Multicultural Project’s history, achievements and community impact since being established in 1995. The speech recognised the contributions of staff, volunteers, trustees, funders, partners and beneficiaries who have helped shape the organisation over the past three decades.

The programme then included a series of special performances and contributions, including:

  • Speech given by Trustee Shamim Rehman
  • Speeches and reflections from long-standing staff members Gill and Naseem
  • A volunteer speech from Almas reflecting on the value of volunteering and community involvement during her 10 years of accessing support and now giving back through volunteer contributions
  • Reflections from Surinder who was a past Trustee and supporter of Sunrise

At 2:00pm, guests enjoyed a multicultural buffet and refreshments alongside opportunities for networking, celebration, photography and social interaction. This part of the event encouraged meaningful conversation, relationship-building and shared celebration amongst attendees.

Family-friendly entertainment continued throughout the afternoon, including:

  • A professional live 30 magic show for children
  • Balloon modelling
  • Face painting
  • Henna transfer tattoos
  • Music and live drumming performances
  • Sunrise logo sweet treats for children and families to take away
  • Raffle to win a luxury beauty basket

The event concluded with a grand finale celebration at 3:00pm featuring a live drumming performance, raffle prize draw and birthday cake with a final thank-you message.

The carefully planned schedule ensured the event remained inclusive, engaging and accessible to people of all ages while successfully balancing celebration, reflection, entertainment and community connection. The programme also highlighted Sunrise Multicultural Project’s strong community partnerships, volunteer involvement and commitment to creating culturally inclusive and family-friendly community events.

Event Overview

The celebration took place at a venue generously hosted by EMBS Community College in Banbury. The atmosphere throughout the day was warm, welcoming and celebratory, with attendees sharing memories, building new friendships and celebrating the positive impact Sunrise has had on the local community over the years.

Many former beneficiaries, staff and volunteers attended the event and spoke about how Sunrise has supported them and their families over the years. The event highlighted the importance of grassroots organisations in creating safe, trusted and inclusive spaces for local communities.

Activities Delivered

Activities and entertainment during the event included:

  • Professional DJ, music and Dhol drumming performance
  • Children’s magic show and balloon entertainment
  • Community speeches and reflections
  • Food and refreshments
  • Community networking and social interaction
  • Photography and media coverage
  • Celebration cake

The event catered for all ages and encouraged intergenerational participation, helping families and individuals feel included and connected.

Community Impact

The celebration successfully brought together people from many different cultures, backgrounds and generations in one shared space.

The event helped to:

  • Reduce loneliness and social isolation
  • Encourage community connection and belonging
  • Strengthen friendships and support networks
  • Celebrate cultural diversity and inclusion
  • Increase community pride and engagement
  • Recognise volunteers and community contributions
  • Improve wellbeing through positive social interaction

For many attendees, particularly older adults and isolated community members, the event provided an important opportunity to socialise, reconnect with others and feel valued within the community.

The event also helped showcase the ongoing importance of Sunrise Multicultural Project and the need for continued community support and funding for grassroots services.

Feedback and Reflections

Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive.

Guests commented on the welcoming atmosphere, the excellent organisation of the event and the importance of celebrating Sunrise’s achievements.

Many attendees shared how meaningful it was to see so many different generations and communities coming together to celebrate the charity’s work.

The music, entertainment and food created a joyful atmosphere and encouraged interaction between attendees who may not otherwise have had the opportunity to meet and socialise.

The event also gave staff and volunteers the opportunity to reflect proudly on the impact Sunrise has had over the past 30 years and celebrate the dedication of everyone involved.

Quotes, Reflections and Community Voices

A key highlight of the 30th Anniversary Celebration was the opportunity to hear directly from community members, volunteers, staff and supporters whose lives have been touched by Sunrise Multicultural Project over the past three decades.

Throughout the event, speakers reflected on the importance of community, belonging, friendship and support, highlighting the positive impact Sunrise has had on individuals and families across Banbury.

During the welcome speech, attendees were reminded that Sunrise has always been about people:

“Sunrise has always been about people. It’s about the mother who found support when
she had nowhere else to turn. The older person who found friendship and
companionship after experiencing loneliness. The young person who found confidence,
belonging and hope for their future.”

This message strongly reflected the purpose of Sunrise’s work over the last 30 years and resonated with many attendees who have personally benefited from the charity’s support.

The celebration also recognised the vital role of volunteers, staff, trustees and community partners in helping Sunrise grow and thrive. During the opening speech, attendees were thanked for their contribution:

“Thirty years of impact is an incredible achievement, but we know this is only possible because of the collective effort, love and commitment of so many people.”

Volunteer speaker Almas reflected on her long-standing involvement with Sunrise and the important role the organisation has played in bringing people together through community activities, friendship and support.

Long-serving staff members Gill and Naseem also shared reflections on their experiences supporting families and community members over many years, highlighting the growth of Sunrise from a small grassroots project into a respected community organisation supporting hundreds of people across Banbury.

The event received extremely positive feedback from guests, community partners and stakeholders.

Ian Harwood, Trustee at Sunrise and Cherwell District Councillor for Banbury Calthorpe and Easington, commented:

“It was a real honour to be invited to celebrate your 30th birthday. The atmosphere was fantastic, and it was wonderful to see so many people enjoying themselves, especially the children.”

He also praised the organisation of the event and recognised Sunrise’s contribution to the local community over many years.

Steve Phillips, Sunrise Trustee, described the celebration as:

“Fantastic, really well organised and brilliant.”

Nazia from EMBS Community College praised the speeches delivered throughout the event and highlighted the strong emotional impact of the celebration.

Louise Jamal also shared her feedback:

“It was a lovely celebration of 30 years and well done to everyone who prepared for it
and helped.”

These reflections demonstrate the strong sense of community pride, belonging and appreciation generated through the event. The feedback highlighted not only the success of the celebration itself, but also the lasting impact Sunrise Multicultural Project has had on local residents, families and communities over the last 30 years.

The event created opportunities for people to reconnect, share memories, celebrate achievements and reflect on the collective journey of Sunrise. The positive feedback received reinforced the value of creating inclusive community events that bring people together, strengthen relationships and celebrate diversity, community spirit and shared purpose.

Acknowledgements

Sunrise Multicultural Project sincerely thanked everyone who supported and contributed towards the success of the event. Acknowledgements included:

Conclusion

The Sunrise Multicultural Project 30th Anniversary Celebration was a hugely successful event that celebrated the charity’s long-standing commitment to supporting local communities.

Sunrise Multicultural Project remains committed to continuing its work supporting vulnerable and isolated individuals and families across Banbury and surrounding areas for many years to come.

Media and Community Engagement

To capture and showcase the event, Sunrise Multicultural Project created a social media reel
highlighting key moments from the day, including speeches, entertainment, community participation and celebrations. The reel helped extend the impact of the event beyond the day itself and allowed the wider community to engage with and celebrate Sunrise’s
achievements online.

The event also received local media recognition. Following the celebration, The Banbury Guardian published an online press release covering the anniversary event and highlighting Sunrise Multicultural Project’s 30 years of community impact and support for ethnically
diverse families and local communities across Banbury.

Banbury Guardian coverage – Sunrise Project celebrates 30 years in the community

The event received local media recognition through coverage from Banbury Guardian, helping raise awareness of Sunrise Multicultural Project’s 30 years of community impact and celebrating the importance of grassroots multicultural community support within Banbury.

Our Funders