From Humanity to Community — and Why We Must Reclaim It Today?
Author: Dr Laila Surani Founder & CEO, EMAGE CIC Before there were no systems, services, or institutions, there was community.Before policies, professions, or organisations existed, people survived — and thrived — through shared life, mutual care, and collective responsibility. Community is not a modern idea. It is as old as humanity itself. Community Before the […]
From Humanity to Community: What Social Theory Tells Us About Who We Are — and Who We’ve Become
Author: Dr Laila Surani Founder & CEO, EMAGE CIC Community did not begin as a concept, a policy, or a service. It began as a way of being human. Long before sociology, anthropology, or political theory existed, people lived in relationship with one another. Survival depended on cooperation, care, and shared responsibility. What modern theory […]
How Evidence-Based Wellbeing Theories Shape EMAGE’s Work with Ethnic Minority Older Adults
By Dr. Laila SuraniFounder & CEO, EMAGE CIC Day before yesterday, I shared a blog discussing key theories of wellbeing and quality of life in later life, and how these frameworks help us understand the diverse experiences of an ageing population. Today, I want to reflect on how these theories directly shape our work at […]
Beyond Maslow: Rethinking Human Needs Through the Eyes of Older Adults
A reflection by Dr. Laila SuraniFounder & CEO, EMAGE CIC For decades, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs has shaped how we think about human motivation. From classrooms to healthcare, from marketing campaigns to wellbeing programmes, Maslow’s pyramid became the universal “map” of what people need to thrive. Teachers used it to understand student behaviour.Hospitals used it […]
Understanding Cultural Theories: Why They Matter for EMAGE & Ageing BME Communities
Author: Dr Laila Surani Culture is more than food, music, or tradition—it is a system of meaning, power, belonging, and identity.For organisations like EMAGE CIC, which supports the wellbeing of ageing Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities in Redbridge, understanding how culture shapes people’s lives is essential to designing respectful, inclusive, and empowering programmes. This […]
Ethnic Minority Ageing in the UK: Towards a Community-Centred Framework
Author: Dr Laila Surani A Changing Ageing Landscape The UK is entering a period of profound demographic change. By 2040, one in four people will be over 65, and an increasing proportion of these older adults will come from minority ethnic backgrounds (Bond, 2025). Migration from South Asia, the Caribbean, Africa, and the Middle East […]
Rethinking Quality Of Life: Why Culture Matters in Ageing Research
Author: Dr Laila Surani At EMAGE CIC, we believe that understanding the wellbeing of older adults requires more than numbers — it demands cultural awareness, empathy, and context. Drawing on two of my research studies conducted in Karachi and rural Sindh, Pakistan, this commentary explores how cultural and socioeconomic factors shape the experiences of older […]
2 October 2025 – First EMAGE CIC Board Meeting
EMAGE CIC recently held a board meeting to review governance structures, strategic direction, and upcoming initiatives. The board reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to improving the wellbeing of ageing ethnic minority populations in the UK and globally through culturally sensitive, community-driven approaches. Key decisions included establishing bi-monthly meetings, strengthening policy frameworks, and enhancing transparency in decision-making. […]
