Worcester Mela receives funding for ‘melting pot’ project

South Asian Arts Organisation Worcester Mela has shared details of a project set to reveal the "hidden stories" of the city's South Asian migrant communities.

The Melting Pot project, which has been awarded £48,000 of National Lottery funding by Arts Council England, will highlight and explore the role of South Asian migrants in 'the great industrial factories of Worcester'.

It will focus on real life stories from workers at companies including Lea & Perrins, Metal Box, Metal Castings and Royal Worcester.

The project, which will include a series of workshops with factory workers and their family, will span 18 months, before a final multi-disciplinary performance will take place at Worcester Mela’s first annual festival in September 2024.

Worcester Mela vice-chair Anjali Fowler, who led on the funding bid, said: "It's very exciting to be able to tell the hidden stories of South Asian migrant communities in Worcester, and work with them to create a performance that I am certain will inspire and delight audiences".