Announcing a New Community Book Project: My Bangladesh, My Britain
Cohesive Society CIC is proud to announce its intention to develop an exciting new book project titled My Bangladesh, My Britain — a book for British-born and British-raised children and young people of Bangladeshi origin.
This project is being shaped with one clear and heartfelt ethos at its centre:
“Know where you come from and where you need to go.”
The book is being planned as far more than a publication. It is a journey of identity, belonging, confidence and aspiration. Its purpose is to help children and young people better understand their roots, their family story, their cultural inheritance, and the long path that brought so many Bangladeshi families from villages, towns and cities in Bangladesh to a new life in Britain.
Too often, our young people grow up hearing only fragments of that story. They may know the names of grandparents, places of origin, a few customs, a few foods, a few words of Bangla or Sylheti — but not the larger picture. They may not fully know the struggles, sacrifices, resilience and determination of the generations that came before them. They may not know enough about the history, culture, literature, folklore, language, heroes and values that helped shape Bangladesh and its people.
That is why My Bangladesh, My Britain matters.
This book will aim to make the younger generation more aware of their roots, legacy and place in modern Britain. It will celebrate the story of a community that travelled far, worked hard, endured hardship, built families, opened businesses, contributed to British society and created a life of dignity and hope for their children and grandchildren.
At the same time, the book will encourage young people to look ahead. The journey of their ancestors from Bangladesh to Britain was not simply a journey of movement; it was a journey of courage, ambition and sacrifice. That journey places a responsibility on today’s youth — not as a burden, but as a source of inspiration. They are called to aim high, pursue education, serve society, build character and achieve their fullest potential, while never losing sight of where they came from.
Its core purpose is belonging, identity and confidence.
To bring this project to life, we intend not only to write and publish the book, but also to organise a programme of community engagement activities around it. These will include book reading sessions, visits to primary and secondary schools, talks in libraries and community venues, a public book launch, and wider discussion with parents, teachers, elders and young people. We also hope to create opportunities for ongoing conversation so that the book becomes a living resource, not just a one-time publication.
A Call for Partners and Collaborators
To make this initiative successful and far-reaching, Cohesive Society CIC is actively seeking partners, collaborators and supporters. We warmly invite schools, libraries, social enterprises, community organisations, charities, cultural groups, youth organisations, local authorities, funders, and local government partners to work with us in shaping and delivering this important project.
We are looking for support in areas such as:
- community outreach and engagement
- school and library links
- event hosting and promotion
- collaboration on readings, talks and presentations
- podcast participation
- sponsorship, funding and resource support
- wider dissemination of the book to children, families and communities
This is a shared community initiative with the potential to leave a lasting positive impact on young people. By working together, we can help the next generation feel proud of their roots, confident in their identity, and inspired to contribute meaningfully to British society while remaining connected to Bangladesh.
Through this project, we want to inspire pride without exclusion, confidence without arrogance, and ambition rooted in values. We want our children and young people to feel that they belong both to their family story and to the future of Britain.
My Bangladesh, My Britain will be a book of reflection, learning and encouragement. It will remind our youth that identity matters, legacy matters, and direction matters.
Above all, it will tell them:
Know where you come from and where you need to go.
If you or your organisation would like to partner with us in this initiative, we would be delighted to hear from you.
