Community isn’t just something we build, it’s something we protect.
As we celebrate 20 years of Peepul Centre 
, our Director and Head of Health Santosh Bhanot reflect on our beginnings, founded from a vision by a group of local South Asian women, The Belgrave Baheno Women’s Organisation, who created a space to connect, exchange ideas, and foster belonging, understanding, and social cohesion .
That same purpose continues to drive everything we do today.
This week, we were honoured to welcome the Lord Mayor Teresa Aldred to mark the installation of a life-saving defibrillator 
at our centre delivered in partnership with the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust and Leicester City Council, as part of the wider Heartshield initiative
South Asian communities face a disproportionately higher risk of cardiovascular disease making access to immediate, life-saving care not just important, but essential. 
This defibrillator represents more than equipment:
Awareness
Prevention
Action
We were also proud to welcome Neetu Squire Deputy Police Crime Commissioner to this important milestone. A heartfelt thank you to Jane Ushwell and the team at Leicester City Council who donated two plant pots to our nursery.
Community empowerment isn’t just about bringing people together it’s about protecting lives 
, improving wellbeing 
, and building a stronger future for all. Here’s to the next 20 years. 
