About us
Our history
The United Multicultural Centre (UMCC) is a registered charity and limited company based in Rotherham. We have a well-established reputation for making a difference in South Yorkshire communities locally, regionally and nationally since 1982.
The centre was started with the aim of ‘bringing together communities to share common goals and help build a better and more positive future for all’, and we are proud to say that UMCC still firmly believes in this aim and is working hard to achieve this in the diverse community.
To reach our aim, we have strategically designed the following objectives:
• To create cultural awareness within the wider community in Rotherham to create racial harmony.
• To encourage inactive groups to take part in social/community activities.
• To advance basic literacy, numeracy and ICT skills among non-English speaking adults.
• To address health and well-being issues of young women and families.
• To not only support women’s education but also address their health and well-being by bringing in health professionals to support them.
• To increase community members’ confidence and self-esteem.
• Help and assist new associations of Rotherham and act as a mentor for fledgling associations.
• To develop networking infrastructure which will support all disadvantaged communities.
• To work in conjunction with the Rotherham voluntary and statutory sector bodies to raise the profile of the community.
• To develop in conjunction with the statutory sector bodies.
• To facilitate the development of family values and instil the ethos of cultural ideology within the community.
• To work within the institutionalised level to create parity in accessing mainstream provisions.
Our work
Being a voluntary sector organisation, we are committed to the wider community. We offer many forms of training to the public, helping the community gain skills and qualifications to enter employment or skills for life.
UMCC offers a wide range of activities and services to the local community, with particular strength in delivering innovative women’s projects and increasing women’s participation in all parts of community life. We have delivered women’s education programmes since the 1980’s from English language classes to helping women integrate into the host society, to confidence building, leadership courses, and family interventions. UMCC works closely with Rotherham Borough Council, Voluntary Action and other voluntary organisations in Rotherham in terms of providing training, raising awareness, encouraging integration and sign-posting. We regularly conduct feedback surveys to determine what services users from different demographics would like.
Since we began, thousands of men and women, regardless of colour, nationality, gender and religion, have benefited from our services and support. We remain committed to making a positive difference within our local communities.
We have been delivering projects, programmes, and sports activities to engage children and young people while supporting mental health and marginalisation. We have worked towards integration and independence with a focus on how health and well-being are an important part of this. Our work with children and young people has also been motivated by a need to address antisocial behavioural issues. UMCC also provides family intervention sessions to bring families and children together.
Find out more about our projects.
Key achievements
We are proud of what we have achieved over the past 42 years. We have gained national recognition for our work with diverse communities.
Royal Visit
In 2011, our ‘Aiming High for Disabled and Special Needs Children and Young People’ initiative was honoured with a nomination for a prestigious award. To mark this achievement, Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex visited the United Multicultural Centre, joining the Managing Director, Board of Trustees, staff, children, and parents who played a key role in the programmes success.
Right to Vote project
As part of our ‘Right to Vote’ project, we had the privilege of taking a group of inspiring asylum-seeker women to visit the iconic Houses of Parliament. This empowering experience allowed the participants to learn about the democratic process, explore the history of governance in the UK, and engage with the importance of having a voice in shaping society. By fostering understanding and inclusion, this highlighted the vital role of civic participation and the transformative potential of advocacy and education.