Cambridge Tamil Sangam (CTS) is a growing community-based organisation (Charity Number: 1203354) dedicated to promoting the Tamil language, arts, and culture in Cambridge and across the UK. It brings together individuals with an interest in Tamil language, heritage, and traditions through a varied programme of cultural, educational, and social activities. The charity’s stated purposes include education and training, as well as arts, culture, and heritage.
Operating on a membership basis, Cambridge Tamil Sangam seeks to strengthen engagement with its community and to better understand and respond to its needs. During the 2024–25 financial year, the organisation recorded 64 family memberships and 9 individual memberships. However, all events and activities remain open to the wider public and are actively promoted through multiple channels to encourage broad and inclusive participation.
Over the year, Cambridge Tamil Sangam made significant progress in advancing its charitable objectives by delivering a series of major cultural celebrations, including Deepavali, Karthigai Deepam, winter workshop, Pongal, International Women’s Day, and Tamil New Year. These events were inclusive, well attended, and warmly received by both members and the wider community. In addition, the Sangam organised a range of member-focused initiatives, including the Annual General Meeting and a Karthigai Deepam/Winter workshop celebrating the dual festivals of Christmas and Karthigai Deepam.
Cambridge Tamil Sangam also continues to promote health and wellbeing through sport. Its cricket club has seen steady growth, with teams participating in both the Saturday Junior League and a midweek league in Cambridge. A community badminton tournament was also successfully organised during the year, further encouraging active participation.
A key pillar of Cambridge Tamil Sangam’s work is the promotion of the Tamil language through its Sunday school, which follows the curriculum of the International Tamil Academy. The school enrolled 50 students from kindergarten to Year 5 in 2024–25, including 6 students from households where Tamil is not the primary language. Classes are delivered by a dedicated team of volunteers, all of whom are enhanced DBS-checked and receive regular safeguarding and behaviour management training.
The school continues to be recognised by the Department of Linguistics at the University of Cambridge and remains an active participant in the Cambridge Research in Community Language Education (CiRCLE) network, hosted by the University of Cambridge’s Faculty of Education. It is also represented in the Cambridge Bilingual Group and has contributed to the local Community Leadership Forum, further strengthening its role within the wider educational and community landscape
Cambridge Tamil Sangam (charity number 1203354) account statement 01/07/202430/06/2025 in GBP
| Event organised | Total income | Total Expenditure |
|---|---|---|
| Deepavali | 6159 | 4734 |
| Winter workshop | 60 | 74 |
| Badminton Tournament | 966 | 850 |
| Pongal/AGM | 2499 | 1762 |
| Intl. Women’s Day | 200 | 219 |
| Tamil New Year | 4441 | 3893 |
| Tamil School | 5108 | 1890 |
| Membership fee | 1370 | |
| Bank interest | 81 | |
| Insurance/Google storage | 345 | |
| Total | 20884 | 13767 |