This month is a special opportunity to recognise the contributions, heritage, and inspiring journeys of our South Asian staff, who care for patients, support families, and enrich our workforce with their skills, values, and lived experiences.
Stay tuned as we continue to spotlight their powerful stories throughout the month, in line with this year’s theme: Roots to Routes.
Name: Gurpreet
Job Title: Assistant Patient Services Coordinator in the Ear, Nose and Throat Department (ENT).
Could you share your story of your family’s journey from South Asia to the UK?
Born and raised in small town of Punjab, Jalandhar. After school I enrolled to Khalsa College where I started my degree in Commerce. I was actively engaged in cultural activities and was part of University Giddha team. We won a lot of competitions on state level. I remember those days as best days of my life.
My UK journey started in Jan 2008 when I moved to UK to get married.
2008 was challenging year, I had moved countries and left my life behind to start new with husband. I became a wife and a mother that same year at the age of 21.
Now 37 when i look back as mother of two to 16 and 12 year old kids, I can’t believe how I managed all that as such a young age.
How long have you worked for our Trust?
I been part of Leeds Teaching NHS Trust since 2020. I started my journey as clerical officer now working as in the Ear Nose and Throat Department as an Assistant Patient Services Coordinator.
What motivates or inspires you day to day? Anything in particular about your role?
My role is very rewarding and it brings me utter satisfaction to helping patients.
How do you pass on cultural values, lessons, and traditions to your family and those around you?
I try my best to teach my children the core values of my culture but sometimes it’s very difficult as they are the fourth generation raised in UK. We try to go Gurudwara on Sundays and encourage our children to speak Punjabi at home.
Can you highlight an influential figure from South Asian communities whose journey has inspired you and you would want to make sure everyone knows about.
Every woman has their own journey and battle that they have overcome in their own ways. There is not on person that inspire me but all woman in my life especially my mother.
My mother was the first female in her village who was allowed to study and work in the 1970. She overcame all society taboos, which were that woman should only cook, clean and raise children. While working full time in a male dominated world she provided me and my brother the best quality education. She encouraged me to be financially independent and to make my own decisions.