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.”

Usman began his work with Sähëlï Hub in 2021, as senior men’s and health club coordinator.

“I choose to work for Sähëlï Hub because we share similar values around inequalities, inactivity and providing opportunities for those from deprived backgrounds. Like Sähëlï Hub, I’m very passionate about designing the future for our communities with big partners such as national governing bodies, the NHS and others that make the big decisions that affect our communities.

“I want to upskill more people in the communities I work in, so that they can then support and develop other members. I also want to engage even more people aged 50+,as well as those aged under 50 with additional needs, as these are target audiences that are quite often ignored and forgotten about. Lastly, I want to do a lot more work in the community I live in.”

“Sähëlï Hub is one big family – this does not feel like work to me, eveUsman Khan n though it is.”

“I love my sports, especially football and cricket. I support Liverpool football club very passionately and I play and coach cricket in various communities of Birmingham. I recently went on pilgrimage and that has given me a different perspective on life and the duties we have as human beings on this earth.”

Monika began her role as social media manager in 2023 and has a passion for bringing to light all the great work Sähëlï Hub does for its community.

“Sähëlï Hub is a wonderful organisation to work for. The team support and nurture each other to grow and firmly believe in one another. I look forward to showcasing all the opportunities, blood, sweat, tears, love and laughter Sähëlï Hub offers to its team members, participants and the communities in which they support.”

Sultana works in the roles of administrative support and lifestyle coach. Sultana began employment with Sähëlï Hub in 2019, following a period of volunteering with us.

“I had seen the amazing work that Sähëlï Hub has done whilst working with a partner organisation and when the opportunity came up to work with Sähëlï Hub, I took it up.

The thing I love most about working with Sähëlï Hub is the team. It is my hope that Sähëlï Hub gets more recognition for the very important and impactful work we do for the community.”

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.”

Norma has been working with Sähëlï Hub for over 17 years. With a background as a personal trainer, Norma primarily teaches strength and stretch classes, chair-based exercise and body conditioning.

“I love mixing with different nationalities of people and I love the work I do – especially the sessions I teach. I feel good when I see people who have been coming for some time and are improving over all the classes. My goals for the year are to try to get better at technology and computers to support my work.”

“Sähëlï Hub is a place for staff and participants to BLOOM. I love everyone who comes through this door. I feel connected to them all. We work as a team and can count on one another. No one says no.”

As a holder of a bachelor’s degree in physical education, Elisangela started her career at Sähëlï Hub in 2014 and “with gratitude, I continue to the present.” Elisangela is part of the prescribers team, teaching group exercise class, body composition analysis and fitness testing. She also develops talking arts classes, painting and creative crafts.

“As I love people, I think my purpose in this world is to motivate them. For me, it is indescribable, the self-fulfilment to help others achieve their goals as a healthy life in many ways: health to the body and mind, social resilience, grace, and joy! Also, at the same time, while I connect, keep learning, give and help, I am also able to discover the new potential that is inside of me. Thank you, God!”

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.”

Shaila is a cycling instructor,ride leader, walk leader, sound bath instructor and alifestyle coach with the diabetes prevention team.

Shaila began her Sähëlï Hub journey as a volunteer in 2016 and quickly went on to become a freelance ride leader and cycling instructor from 2017. She has been working with Sähëlï Hub in her current role since June 2022.

“I love my job, it doesn’t feel like work most days. I work alongside an incredible team of people who facilitate my growth. I have been exposed to many opportunities whilst working with Sähëlï Hub. I enjoy affecting change in my community: working on a grassroots level to building infrastructure from scratch, identifying and training local people from some of the most deprived areas in inner city Birmingham, networking with local organisations and key stakeholders and sourcing funding – to name but a few. 

“The organisation encourages personal and professional development and provides a safe space that nurtures the wellbeing of its staff whilst providing a flexible approach to work. Sähëlï Hub is in an interesting place, it’s a crucible of ideas and change and is growing – which is exciting and challenging in equal measure.

“My future personal and community related goals are to play an active part in reversing health related illnesses and to help grow the cycling offer across the city one area at a time and to ensure it is sustainable. I also want to offer sound baths to the local community through Sähëlï Hub.

“In the future, I hope to take up more water related sports, like kayaking and bell-boating – as a pastime rather than in a facilitator capacity.”

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.”

Judith began her Sähëlï Hub journey in 2021, teaching English to our participants.

“Their knowledge of English varies enormously, but the ladies are very supportive of each other as well as me. No subject is taboo, if it’s what the ladies want to discuss or they need to have the vocabulary to ask what can sometimes be personal questions, such as at the doctors. The women have a brilliant sense of humour, which makes tackling a new language so much easier.”

“I enjoy working here so much. As well as teaching I also support anything and everything that Sähëlï Hub puts on. I’ve been bell-boating, played tennis, supported International Women’s Day, first aid training, bereavement training, safeguarding, creative arts, attended the ESOL Hub at Birmingham Library and much more.”

“I choose to work here as I totally support the ethos of Sähëlï Hub – friendship and improving the lives of others is at the heart of all they do. As an experienced teacher I could work in many other places, but none would have the values that Sähëlï Hub holds dear.”

“My goals are to keep learning and to continue teaching. I always look forward to coming to work. Sähëlï Hub is unique and it’s a privilege to be a part of it.”

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.”

Tyra began her Sähëlï Hub journey as part of a kickstart program in October 2021 and then teaching squash and archery. Tyra has completed her qualifications to become a level 1 coach in squash and completed a training course as an archery instructor. Tyra also supports in admin and further assisting the team wherever needed. Tyra will also be also be starting a very exciting tennis assisting role,five days a week.

“I choose to work for SähëlïHub because the environment is great, all the staff and participantsare very welcoming and caring.I also wanted to make a difference in the community by helping support anything I could.Furthermore, I wanted to help people with staying active, get them into sports and try to get more people out of the house. The most important thing to me is being able to support those who need it with health and physical and mental wellness. I aim to continue to help in the community and spread awareness about how important keeping up health is.”

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!”