The Stand of Dr. Neha Sharma in this campaign
"I am voluntarily supporting the Stand with Belgrave & Rushey Mead community movement—because I believe that no decision about our neighbourhoods should be made without the voices of the people who live, worship, work, and belong here.
This is not about politics. It’s about people. It’s about honouring heritage, protecting spaces of care and culture, and ensuring that our communities are not displaced, dismissed, or divided. I stand with this campaign as a citizen, an advocate, and a human being who values justice, belonging, and the right to be heard."
Stand with Belgrave & Rushey Mead
Dr. Neha Sharma stands in firm solidarity with residents, faith leaders, and community organizations to protect Belgrave and Rushy Mead vital spaces, preserve shared identity, and defend the right to belong.
Belgrave and Rushey Mead are not just places on a map—they are vibrant centres of heritage, belonging, and intergenerational resilience. These neighborhoods have long been the spiritual and cultural lifelines of Leicester’s diverse communities, particularly its Hindu, Sikh, Gujarati, and multifaith populations.
But today, these sacred and communal spaces face a critical threat.
Why This Campaign Matters
Belgrave and Rushey Mead are not just neighbourhoods—they are living legacies of faith, cultural identity, and intergenerational resilience in the heart of Leicester. They are home to temples, community centres, and cultural spaces that have long served as lifelines for the local population—particularly the Hindu-Gujarati, Sikh, and South Asian communities.
In light of the Leicester City Council’s proposed Community Asset Transfer (CAT) scheme, these spaces now face the threat of privatisation, displacement, or repurposing—without transparent consultation, cultural consideration, or community consent.
Dr. Neha Sharma, a leading voice in community health, cultural equity, and inclusive leadership, stands firmly with the people of Belgrave and Rushey Mead. This campaign is not just about protecting buildings—it’s about defending dignity, memory, and community autonomy.
What We Stand For
-
Transparent and inclusive governance in all CAT-related decisions
-
Protection of faith-based, cultural, and public-serving spaces
-
Multilingual, culturally safe consultations with local communities
-
Representation of minoritised voices in local council processes
-
Acknowledgement of historical trauma, such as the 2022 Leicester unrest, which still impacts communal trust
What We’re Doing
-
Hosting community listening forums and roundtable discussions
-
Launching civic awareness campaign
-
Creating a citizen-led audit of consultation gaps and risk impacts
-
Collaborating with faith leaders, grassroots groups, and advocacy networks
-
Producing research-based policy briefs on culturally safe governance
Why This Matters – Now More Than Ever
In a time when trust in institutions is fragile and the healing of past harm is still ongoing, imposing top-down decisions on cultural communities risks deepening division, exclusion, and lasting damage.
This campaign is a call for justice that listens, respects, and includes.