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Why Local News Still Matters More Than Ever

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Local newspapers are something we often take for granted, yet they play a crucial and increasingly irreplaceable role in the life of a community. They foster cohesion, provide essential local information, hold local government accountable, and support local economies. More than that, they help build a shared narrative of place, offer a platform for diverse local voices, and encourage deeper civic engagement by keeping residents informed about the issues, stories, and decisions that shape everyday life.

This is why, for the last two years, we have been working closely with our local newspaper, the Enfield Dispatch, alongside the grassroots organisation LocalMotion Enfield, to help connect the many different communities across the borough. Our shared goal is to shine a spotlight on the positive stories unfolding around us. Stories of individuals, initiatives, creativity, and resilience that help local people feel proud of their area and of the neighbours they share it with. At a time when divisive narratives can so easily dominate national discourse, celebrating local connection has never been more important.

During this partnership, our presence in the newspaper has grown from one page to two. The second page is dedicated specifically to young voices and youth action, ensuring that young people are not only represented but truly heard. We have also welcomed a resident political cartoonist whose illustrations comment on local and national social and political issues with sharp humour and insight. Additionally, we now host a regular column written by people living with disabilities, providing a vital space for perspectives that are too often overlooked in mainstream media. Together, these pages aim to be inclusive, empowering, and rooted in authentic storytelling that strengthens community identity.

Insights repeatedly show that audiences place a higher level of trust in local news sources than in national media. This trust stems partly from familiarity, where readers often recognise the journalists, understand the context, and see their own lived experiences reflected. Local outlets can offer nuance, explanation, and relevance that national coverage simply cannot replicate. This makes it far more difficult for misinformation to take root. A thriving local news ecosystem is, in many ways, the first line of defence against disinformation, helping to build an informed citizenry that is less susceptible to manipulation and more willing to participate in civic life.

Sadly, the ongoing decline of the local news industry, driven largely by financial pressures, threatens all these benefits. This is why, here in Enfield, we are committed to making the most of our trusted and much-loved community newspaper.

London Climate Action Week 2025 – #Make Science Great Again

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London Climate Action Week 2025 took place this June from 21 to 29, and it was action-packed. An annual event that aims to mobilise climate action in London and beyond, bringing together organisations, communities, and individuals to address climate change.

The week featured a wide range of events, including conferences, workshops, and collaborative discussions, focusing on practical solutions and showcasing London’s role as a global climate leader. I was pleased to be invited to the We Don’t Have Time Live Broadcast, which was a session focused on Making Science Great Again. It was a great panel lineup that included the eminent climate scientist Sir David King; Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., President & Founder, Hip Hop Caucus; Ingmar Rentzhog, CEO and Co-Founder of the We Don’t Have Time platform; and me!

Make Science Great Again is a campaign focused on defending science, amplifying its voice, and reeducating policymakers. It aims to counter disinformation, support scientists, and ensure science plays a vital role in addressing global challenges like climate change. The campaign emphasizes the importance of dialogue and collaboration to achieve these goals.

OmTalks: Legacy And The Wild with Sangeeta Waldron & Melvyn Carlile

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On 17 June, I will be in conversation with the very brilliant Melvyn Carlile.

Mel is a visionary founder and the pioneering force behind the Mind Body, Spirit Festival, London. His work has helped to shape the modern holistic movement.

I could not be more excited about this event for many personal reasons. As a young girl of about 7, I used to be my mum’s plus one to the Mind Body Spirit Festival in London, held those days at Olympia. Never did I imagine that one day, I would be in conversation with the founder of this Festival about my book.

Life has just given me lemonade!

Tickets are only £4.50 and to book, click here

The Stakes Are High – Why We Need To Invest In Local Media & Journalism

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The stakes are high. The future of news reporting will not only shape our communities and conversations but also influence the very fabric of our democracies. The stories we tell, and the collaborations we forge during challenging times, will be key. At the heart of this is the next generation—how we can support them in better understanding where the world is headed and how they can make a difference. This is why my work with LocalMotion Enfield, a grassroots movement dedicated to empowering communities across our borough, is so crucial.
LocalMotion Enfield operates in a variety of ways, including a media partnership with our local newspaper, The Enfield Dispatch. This collaboration raises awareness of local projects, issues, and community initiatives.
But it doesn’t stop there. Our work is forward-thinking and dynamic, giving young voices a platform and nurturing the next generation of journalists. By doing so, we’re helping combat misinformation and ensuring that these future storytellers are equipped to share the truth.

Asian Achievers Awards 2024

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On 27 September, the 22nd Asian Achievers Awards took place at a glittering ceremony in London. The Awards brought together over 500 distinguished guests from around the world to celebrate the outstanding contributions of leading South Asians in the UK. Hosted by former Eastenders star Nitin Ganatra OBE and ITV newsreader Anila Dhami, the evening was a celebration of the exceptional achievements within the British Asian community.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “British Asians are a driving force behind much of the social, cultural, and economic innovation we see in Britain today. You represent so many of the values that help our communities thrive — ambition, hard work, and inclusivity, to name just a few. This is why it is wonderful to see so many British Asian change-makers being recognised tonight by the team at EPG.”

Among the winners were Leicester City footballer Hamza Choudhury, GP specialising in women’s health Dr. Nighat Arif, the founder of the Indian street food chain Chaiiwalas, and the founder of the largest distributor of car parts in Europe Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia. Former Member of Parliament Virendra Sharma was recognised for his over 50 years in public service and given the Lifetime Achievement Award.

I had my own Oscar moment and had the honour of announcing the winner of the Arts and Culture, which went to the fusion sound duo, Abi Sampa and Rushil Ranjan.

The evening saw electric performances from British Asian music pioneer Juggy D and Edinburgh Fringe Festival winner, stand-up comedian Ahir Shah.

 

New Bhajan Album Launch, Sama

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Growing up one of the weekly things I did with my mum was go to something called a bhajan, which I would describe as communal singing of spiritual songs. Bhajan is a centuries-old musical genre and a Sanskrit word that refers to any devotional song with a religious theme or spiritual ideas. So, when international musician and vocalist Bhavik Haria, asked me to work on the launch of his bhajan album, ‘Sama’ I knew it was the right PR project for me.

‘Sama – songs of virtue’, is Bavik’s defining new album, and is music that honours the essence of bhajans, with a contemporary sound. To celebrate the album, we are hosting a special event on 5 June 2024 at the prestigious Nehru Centre, Mayfair London. Where Bhavik will be playing music from the album, performing with talented musicians, which includes a saxophonist and violinist, bringing traditional Indian and Western instruments to create a modern form of bhajan. The event includes special guests and the opportunity for the audience to interact with Bhavik at the end with a Q&A session.

Kaykay Chauhan has produced the album with lyrics by Ajay Chandaran and is in partnership with Arts Council England and Atlantic Electrics. It is also a UK-India production, where the sound includes celebrated musicians from the UK and India. ‘Sama’ takes the listener on a soulful journey of transformation, transcending religious labels. The album explores gratitude, compassion, and the liberating power of forgiveness, important reflections in today’s troubled world.

Bhavik has just returned from a sell-out tour of South Africa and to celebrate ‘Sama’, he will be doing a three-city UK tour this summer, that includes London, Birmingham, and Manchester. Bhavik has evolved the sacred vibration of bhajans to engage new audiences. His concerts are hugely popular drawing ethnically diverse people of all ages, from as young as 10 to 70 plus.

‘Sama’ is part of Bhavik’s mission to #KeepBhajansAlive which he successfully started in 2020 and to help further this work the album has a QR code which gives an English translation of the lyrics from Hindi.

‘Sama’ has already earned praise, and Mark Hoda, Chairman of the Gandhi Foundation says, In today’s conflict-torn world, we need more harmony. We are delighted to support Bhavik Haria’s new album, ‘Sama’, which perfectly aligns with our values to promote unity, peace, and balance. We are behind Sama’s journey for goodwill and compassion.”

Bhavik Haria says, “Sama is a special album, that reflects a universal journey we all share – a search for connection, unity, and balance in a world that often feels chaotic. It goes beyond religious boundaries, to resonate universally with everyone, exploring themes of gratitude, compassion, and the power of forgiveness. It has also been a personal quest to instil the timeless tradition of Bhajans with a new perspective that resonates with today’s generation and is part of my mission to #KeepBhajansAlive. Sama is music that explores unique compositions.”

 

For more information about the event on 5 June or ‘Sama’ drop me a line at sangeeta@serendipitypr.co.uk

Success At The Business Show This November

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It was an incredible full-on two days at the Business Show at the Excel Centre in London on 22 and 23 November. We met lots of people, talked to lots of companies about corporate social responsibility (CSR), talked to many people about the book, CSR Is Not PR, sold lots of copies of the book, and just had a good time.

 

 

On the first day of the Show, which was 22 November, we also had an opportunity to create an interactive session about the book, which was very popular, where lots of people had to stand.  I am grateful to Ben Walker, the award-winning business editor, for being such a great host and getting everyone involved. There were some great questions from the audience, with two questions that kept cropping up – what’s the difference between CSR and ESGs (environment, social, and governance); and how do you track CSR?

 

There was a lot of love for the book, and the two posters proved to be a hit, we had lots of attendees coming over to take photos for that Instagram moment!  My highlights were when someone came rushing over to the stall to buy a copy of the book, because they had seen so many people carrying the book at the Show and had FOMO! The other moment was when the company, Print and Trees arranged to plant a tree in South America to acknowledge the book and support it.

I want to say a few thank yous – to my publisher, LID Business Media, and everyone who swung by our stall at the Business Show. I shall leave you with a few more photos from the event.

 

 

Come See Me At The Business Show – 22 & 23 November, 2023

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I will be in the hot seat with business journalist Ben Walker at The Business Show in London on 22 November at 1.15 pm in Theatre 7 at London Excel, talking about CSR Is Not PR. This will be a lively conversation, and we will be getting the audience involved!

This year the Business Show has a strong sustainability theme and quite rightly so! Businesses need to get with the programme and understand why being CSR-led, eco-friendly, sustainable, and ethical is extremely good for business and really no longer an option.

Ben serves as editor-at-large of Dialogue Review, the official leadership and management journal of Duke Corporate Education, published by LID business media…and there will be free copies of Dialogue for the audience.

So come join us and be part of the conversation. Copies of my book, Corporate Social Responsibility Is Not Public Relations will be available.

Good Bye Fair Queen

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On Friday 16 September at exactly at 9.43 pm we joined the queue to pay our respects to the Queen and 13 hours later we were able to do so. I know there are lots of mixed feelings about this time, but this is a story of my journey. It was a pilgrimage, we did not sit and it was long, hard, and very cold, especially along the river.

 

We met different people along the way, Mary from Ware, someone from Southampton, and Daniel the train driver. There was an elderly gentleman with a walking frame and his wife. We were all held outside the Tate Modern for over an hour. There was no complaining or grumbling. We all just waited.

 

We saw the London skyline in different lights – night-time, dawn, and early morning.

 

The queue was respectful and solemn throughout. That in itself was extraordinary.

 

The final legs of the journey were the tests of endurance…it’s called the Zig Zag as you enter Westminster Gardens, but I have heard it called the Death Snake, which is more apt as your back has seized by then. Everyone was shuffling, young and old with sore backs. I kept thinking of the elderly gentleman with the frame and tried not to complain.

 

Then as you finish the Death Snake, everything happens so fast, the security checks, the policemen checking your bags. I suddenly don’t feel ready. You are climbing the steps into Palace where the Queen is resting and it’s beyond anything you will ever see. The quietness is almost heavenly.

 

While the Hall is bathed in this bright, golden light, I can’t help thinking about how cold the walls look. Everything is a leveler in death.

 

I take in the Beefeaters, the Foot Guards, and find that I am walking on red carpet. The crown is dazzling…and the coffin seems so small.

 

Then I am there…so many thoughts flying in my head, and I remember to say Thank You. I bow my head, overcome with emotion. Grief has many triggers.

 

I spent the rest of the Saturday, processing it all. I can’t believe we did it. And yes I would do it all over again.

 

On Monday 19 September, it was the final chapter and the day of the funeral. We went to the Mall to pay our last respects to the Queen, as she left Westminster Abbey for her final journey to Windsor. This was a day not about queues but about crowds, where throngs of people gathered. We were a congregation.

 

The funeral service was broadcast onto the Mall by radio from Westminster Abbey and people shared their phones so we could also watch, as not everyone had phone service. It reminded me of people who said that when they watched the Queen’s coronation, they were huddled around a small tv.

 

It was all glorious and sad. The crowd sang God Save The King.

 

It will be a long time before we have a Queen again, Kings are now before us.

 

Chartered Institute of Marketing -CIM – Sustainability Summit, 31 March, London

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Spring has sprung and we are re-emerging from this global pandemic, which means real-life events are back with a wonderful bang! Between March and April, I have a few events coming up, including this Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Sustainability Summit on 31 March in London.

The number of challenges we face is overwhelming at the moment. However, the environmental challenge (the biggest challenge) is one we can ALL do something about both individually and collectively.

If you want to:

  • Learn more about how you can become carbon literate, why it is so important, and the opportunities it brings?
  • Dive into and explore and understand the circular economy?
  • Hear all about the importance of effective communication, how to talk about sustainability, the power of authentic storytelling and the significant role marketing has in changing the course we are on?
  • Find out what initiatives and solutions are out there to support you and your business on your sustainability journey, no matter what point you are at?

Then come along to CIM | The Chartered Institute of Marketing which has a host of amazing people – Sue Fennessy, James George, Michelle Carvill – MA, FCIM, Author, Emily Laws, John Grant, Helen Hepworth FCIM, Phil Korbel, Jennifer Wilson, Purpose Disruptors (with more names to be announced) all eager to share and drive change for a better future.

Come and ask questions, get involved in discussions, and most importantly grow your sustainability network to help support you and your business moving forward. For more information and to book click here – https://bit.ly/35GkIAE

We all need to drive change for a better future. The United Nations climate panel warned us on 28 February in its major new report that it released, that climate change is upon us and humanity is far from ready,