SIE receives numerous enquiries from Sikhs and non-Sikhs alike and attempts to deal with them in the most effective manner possible - this has often meant simply signposting to a more appropriate body, individual or article. SIE is grateful for the assistance received from all.

SIKHS IN ENGLAND (SIE)

SIE is a not for profit Internet based social policy association/think-tank of like-minded Sikh individuals who are resident in the UK. Although SIE does not operate any formal structures save for those described in its constitution based on the need to organise loosely on geographical basis, it does however rely on a bank of regular advisors in a number of specialist policy areas.

A greater reliance is placed on the goodwill and delivery of results by those who meet tight deadlines to the demands placed on them despite their personal commitments to family life etc. This is in line with the Sikh ethos of volunteering called Seva. SIE Sevadaars (volunteers) are not affiliated to any Gurdwara but attend all

The sole aim of SIE is to challenge the barriers that hinder Sikhs in practising Sikhism while making Sikhs more engaged with Civic governance - All who work with or on behalf of SIE do so voluntarily and do not charge for their Seva or seek to recover costs incurred. The value of SIE's work is two fold, one, by providing a conduit for two-way information exchange, SIE offers non-Sikhs to engage with and gauge the potential of the Sikh community and two, it allows the Sikh community to become aware of the opportunities of engagement in social policy and other avenues to help shape the environment in which we all live and operate.

All monies paid for SIE services to external bodies are paid directly into the SIE bank account and only used to fund events that further the SIE aim - this is in line with the reinvestment of any profits for the public good ideal of Community Interest Company (CIC's).

The 'virtual' organisation concept evolved from early 1996 to meet the needs of queries from numerous external quarters including public bodies. Previously, enquiries to Gurdwaras (Sikh places of worship) yielded either conflicting responses or none at all. It was felt that a robust, cost-effective yet responsive and accessible mechanisms were needed to assist both the enquirers as well as the Sikh community. The Sikhs In England website (www.sikhs.org.uk) was constructed to meet the need of information share and dissemination with minimum standards of service delivery being clearly established (SIE attempts to give first response within 48 hours 7 days a week to emailed enquiries to talk2us@sikhs.org.uk).

Since 1996, the pace of change in social policy has increased significantly and in certain policy areas the acceleration has been triggered by major events such as 9/11 and 7/7.

SIE had at the outset a sunset policy vision of a 25-year community development plan with scheduled review points along the way. The last review was in October 2006.

The Principal Advisor to SIE (Harmander Singh) can be contacted on 07958 94 6868

We have been working hard over the last few months on developing a website that enables us to keep you informed with up to date information the latest developments and issues that SIE are engaged in.

We have launched the 'Latest News' section in which we will enable SIE to publish news as it happens and well as information on Event information.

This month the Sikh Business Directory search capability has been upgraded to enables seraches using Postal Codes. Click Here to search the Sikh Business Directory. 

Your comments on the new site look & feel and contents would be appreciated as we are always looking for how we could improve.