The High Sheriff of Berkshire gave the founder of the Asian Carers Group in Slough a special award at an awards ceremony in Newbury last week.

Mrs Pushpa Kharbanda was presented with the award by Graham Baker in recognition of the many years of service to the community in Slough Mrs Kharbanda has given.

Over the course of the last 40 years, Pushpa has worked tirelessly to empower Slough residents, in particular Asian women, to have a voice. She established the Asian Carers Group over 25 year ago whilst working at Slough Social Services after she recognised a gap in services for residents who had language barriers.

The group allows carers respite from their duties by organising trips away. It also provides information and advice to carers and allows fellow carers to share common ideas and the problems affecting them.

Amongst her other work in the local community, Pushpa is the Secretary of the Milan Day Centre, which organises social activities for the elderly Asian community in Slough. She was also one of the first members of the Indian Women’s Association and spent 12 years on the management committee of the Slough and District Victim Support.

Pushpa said “I am thrilled and honoured to receive such a prestigious award. I meet so many amazing people through my work who have challenging lives, and they have inspired and motivated me over the years. I am grateful for the recognition and I would like to dedicate this award to them”.