Our staff team

Naseem is the founder and project manager of Sähëlï Hub, which she started in 1998 specifically for women who wanted to engage in physical activities and take part in sports that were run by women. A major focus of Naseem’s vision is to normalise taking part in physical activity and sport for women that belong to marginalised communities, who often discouraged from taking part.

A cornerstone of Naseem’s vision was to ensure these programs were delivered in a culturally sensitive way, in the hope changing the perception that Asian women do not like physical activity. She felt that this perception, as well as access to suitable programs in the community, were major barriers to overcome.

Focusing on female engagement, Naseem pioneered the first Asian girls club, offering a wide range of activities – from rock climbing and canoeing, skiing to cycling and quad biking. As the founder and CEO, Naseem works relentlessly to engage over 3,000 disadvantaged women across Birmingham every year, increasing their physical health and wellbeing.

In 2019, Naseem was awarded a British Empire Medal for her work in encouraging thousands of women to lead healthier lifestyles. In 2022, she was recognised as a Hometown Hero for her role in tackling inequalities and creating opportunities in physical activity and sport for many of Birmingham’s ethnically diverse communities.

“Many women,who would hide their gym kit or their trainers in a carrier bag when they came to the gym, now come proudly dressed and ready to go on a Sähëlï Hub adventure.” Such stories are incredibly proud moments for Sähëlï Hub.

Melissa is a health, fitness and lifestyle coach who started her journey with Sähëlï Hub in 2012.

“I continue to work for Sähëlï Hub because it is a wonderful organisation to work for. The team as a whole is supportive and management are understanding and flexible. I enjoy working in the community in which I was raised.”

Melissa wants to continue to learn and grow in her role with continued training and development, to keep herself current and relevant. By using her experience and ongoing education, Melissa strives to provide her best to Sähëlï Hub which is reflected in how she works with knowledge, strength, professionalism and empathy in our Sähëlï Hub team and with our participants.

“I LOVE being part of the team – being able to work in the heart of the community. There is still so much more to learn and discover.”

Shaafia is oursenior cycling coordinator and also social media lead at Sähëlï Hub and has been a cycling instructor for over 12 years. In addition, Shaafia also has a background in children’s services and sports development.

Shaafia started teaching Bikeability across schools in Birmingham. However, she soon realised that she wanted to encourage more women to cycle.

“Since joining Sähëlï Hub we have worked together to teach thousands of women to cycle. Our aim is to empower women to take up cycling for social, recreational or commuting purposes, whilst supporting their emotional, mental, and physical wellbeing along the way. Our sessions are open to all abilities, making it fun to learn and easy to start. Ready, steady, pedal with Sähëlï!”

Rakhyia has been working with the Sähëlï Hub community since 2005. She started as a volunteer with the Sähëlï Women’s Group (Sähëlï Hub’s original name), following a desire to go quad biking in Wales and horse riding. Following this, Rakhyia received a job opportunity as a project worker and has worn many hats over the years, helpingSähëlï Hub to build its diverse community.

“I choose to stay at Sähëlï Hub as I believe in the innovative frontline work that is helping and changing lives. I have the pleasure of working with a like-minded team of dedicated people and, most importantly, I play a part in helping to address the significant health/life inequalities, work across Birmingham and support making accountable change in doing so.

“My primary goal for the work I do is to help secure long-term funding for Sähëlï Hub, so we can have the resources and staff to target even more people in need, regardless of their cultural backgrounds. Personally, I would like to learn, train and increase my knowledge and actively empower my colleagues to believe they are as amazing and highly skilled as they are.”

Asia began work with Sähëlï Hub in September 2018.

“I continue to work with Sähëlï hub because this is what I love doing, being in the community.I have learned many skillswhile working here, like learning to ride a bike, and I have become a qualified chair-based exercise instructor. The growth is ongoing. I want to give more back to the community, gettingpeople out of their houses. I want to be a part of their journey and growth in a meaningful way.”

Asia also teaches crochet to Sähëlï Hub participants.

“I crochet for fun and it is for my relaxation, which helps me wind down. I can speak multiple languages – including English, Punjabi and Urdu – and I am able to read and understand Arabic. This really helps with my communication with the Sähëlï Hub community.”

“I really want to help the mothers to help inspire and motivate their children to get out and be active and explore new creative hobbies.”

Fozia began working for Sähëlï Hub in June 2022. She previously worked for Park Lives and then volunteered for Sähëlï Hub in 2014/2015. There was an opportunity to play a role in the Sähëlï Hub team, assisting in the delivery of exercise classes, which led Fozia to meet all the team members. Fozia then worked on a project for CSAF which offered exercise classes in the wellbeing centre with her assisting, data collecting and delivering walk sessions and “most importantly, interacting with the local people in an active environment.” 

“Sähëlï Hub offered me a role to work with local people and build a relationship with the community. This is a rewarding role as you see the changes it makes to people’s lives. As a team member I hope that we reach out to the community and they use our facility to make a difference, whether in their physical or mental health. Because of the positive energy we carry as a team, we have an opportunity to deliver our work in our unique way which leaves a mark in the community.”

Perween started voluntary work with Sähëlï Hub over six years ago, working with a group of women to grow vegetables and share with other Sähëlï Hub groups.

“I love working in the open air, gardening is my passion. I grow plants from seeds and have two walnut trees (grown from seeds) and some other tropical plants in the garden and indoors.”

In April 2022, Perween started to work with Sähëlï Hub as a lifestyle coach with the Culturally Appropriate Prevention of Diabetes (CAPD) programme and the gardening project. She also drives the mini bus, to provide transport for groups of women to go bell-boating and explore Birmingham’scanals.

“I love working with Sähëlï Hub because of the friendly staff, the management and flexibility of working hours. My goal is to educate people to eat healthily, exercise and improve their lifestyle without depending on prescribed medications.”

“I learnt to ride a bike at the age of 59 years and now ride regularlywith Sähëlï Hub at Ward End Park on Saturdays, as well as walking with women around the park. I play badminton and practice herbal medicine. I also love travelling.”

Ambreen is a self-taught knitting and crochet instructor who has been teaching at Sähëlï Hub for over five years.

“It’s such a great feeling working for Sähëlï Hub. Everyone working with Sähëlï Hub is so supportive with one another. I enjoy teaching our participants and it’s such a good sense of feeling knowing I have taught these people. It’s a very good skill to have and will stay with them for life.”

Sabin has been working with Sähëlï Hub for many years, as part of the social prescribing team.

“I support participants who can’t speak or understand English and I am now part of the walk team. Being part of Sähëlï Hub is very rewarding as we make a difference to people’s health, physical and mental wellbeing.”

Hemlata has been working with Sähëlï Hub for over three years.

“I enjoy connecting and helping people achieve their goals and I believe that everyone has great potential. It doesn’t matter what age, race or religion, everyone deserves the chance to get fit and healthy whilst having fun.”

Kate has been working with Sähëlï Hub over the last 10 years.

“I jumped at the chance to be part of the team. My goal is to provide classes which build core strength and stability for participants. Working this way is vital for maintaining functional strength as we get older. I love bringing pilates to people that have never done it before and I get so much satisfaction seeing how they grow in strength and posture!

“It’s so hard to say what I love most about working at Sähëlï in one sentence! The team are such a committed and caring workforce and I’m proud to be part of that. The participants are some of the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure to teach. I love to see their smiling faces and hear their stories of how my classes have improved their health.”

“In my spare time I love to take my dog on long walks in the countryside. I like to cook, my speciality would be a Sunday roast! For my 50th birthday, I climbed Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon for the 3 Peaks Challenge. I would love to give it another go soon!”