Saeed Sayed and Raja Khan, members of non-profit charity Rotherham Friends in Deed, say the riot was not a “real reflection” of the community.
To them, the true character of the town lies not in the headlines, but in the acts of people’s kindness and their shared belief that Rotherham can – and will – move forward, together.
“I have been in this town for about 50 years and I found it very, very welcoming,” Mr Sayed says.
“Where I live I am perhaps one of the only two Asian families and there’s a lot of love, respect and care for each other.
“I feel very confidently that whatever the challenges we’ll rise through them.”
Mr Khan, who was born in Kashmir, says that while he enjoys returning to his birthplace, Rotherham is where his heart is.
“My home is Rotherham and the home of my children and grandchildren and hopefully great-grandchildren is Rotherham,” he says.
“We love Rotherham. It is a great town and it’s not going to be stained by what happened at Manvers.”