Various Third Sector Leeds members have been asking about opening community buildings and how to do so safely.  The Faith Forum, through our TSL rep, suggested that we spoke to the Gudwara, The Sikh temple on Chapeltown Road, Leeds. We had a really lovely conversation with them and think that this sounds like an excellent practice and hope that it’ll be helpful to other faith organisations and the wider third sector

Through help from the local government and the Sikh Council UK, The Sikh Temple Gurdwara on Chapeltown Road has created a streamlined and carefully thought-out system to re-open their Gurdwara for the first time since lockdown.

After creating a risk assessment and PPE policy with help from the Guru Maneyo Granth Gurdwara, the building was able to be re-opened with clear guidelines in place for visitors.

Social Distancing stickers were placed outside the building for those queuing up, with traffic cones also being placed on the pavement so that parking could remain in order.

Up to 50 people are allowed to join the queue with visitors first being given hand sanitizer and a mask before having their temperature taken by a digital thermometer to make absolutely certain that it is safe for them to enter.

Inside the building there a number of volunteers guide visitors, ensuring that distancing guidelines are followed and that people can find the main hall (Darbar). Once finished in the Darbar, visitors are then led outside by volunteers through a separate exit so that they don’t come into contact with those entering.

This system has attracted praise and interest from a range of faith groups visiting to ask them for advice on how to re-open their own premises. This has been a really unexpected and pleasant surprise for the Gurdwara, whose main priority has always been to do all they can to look after all communities around Leeds; something that has become particularly important in recent times.

Gudwara have kindly shared this additional information so that other third sector organisations can learn from their experience.

TSL has produced a series of regularly updated guides to ensure our members have up to date information. https://doinggood.wordifysites.com/information-and-guidance.html