About My Journey
My career in the third sector began in September 1997, fueled by a passion for regeneration and community activism with the Small Heath Community Forum (SHCF). This initial involvement empowered my position as a community representative, allowing me to rigorously scrutinise local services and ensure their effective delivery to the community. My unwavering efforts have always been focused on enhancing the quality of life for residents by creating and increasing opportunities through dedicated service provision.
I firmly believe that partnership is key. Alongside my dedicated colleagues, we have systematically tackled and directly addressed critical issues such as health disparities, poor housing conditions, unemployment, crime, and the pervasive challenge of institutional racism. My leadership and commitment in this role were instrumental in establishing the Small Heath Community Forum as an umbrella organisation, dedicated to instilling capacity building and ensuring robust representation for our local community.
A significant success in my career has been my relentless determination to place community representation at the very heart of the decision-making process. Leading by example as the Chief Executive of the Small Heath Community Forum since May 2002, after years of tireless campaigning and championing on behalf of the community, I successfully gained representation at various crucial board levels. This includes serving as a community member for the East Birmingham North Solihull Regeneration Zone and a community member of the Enterprising Communities Joint Board. Perhaps my greatest achievement was securing representation on the board for Heart of Birmingham PCT, where I passionately advocated for greater resources to be allocated to our most vulnerable and poorer communities.
The foundation for any successful organisation lies in possessing a vital community asset. My dedication and perseverance to serve the community found tangible realisation with the opening of a new community centre at the heart of Small Heath – The Khidmat Centre. Established as a resource hub, it supports the community by ensuring much-needed services are delivered directly within the heart of the neighbourhood.
My passion endures, and I am committed to endeavouring to leave a lasting legacy for the next generation. This begins with building a strong foundation to transform the Small Heath community into a safe, prosperous, and affluent neighbourhood, a place its citizens can truly be proud to call part of Birmingham.
