The Core Staff
Meet the Team:
Project Manager – Naseem Akhtar
Qualifications: MSc Regeneration, Policy and Research, University of Birmingham
Naseem lives and works in Balsall Heath. Joining Saheli in 1998; Naseem believes passionately in what the organisation is doing for local women in the area. Developing more exciting and challenging opportunities than your average Women’s Group, as Project Manager Naseem takes the lead in delivering and developing new and exciting activites and projects for the local community.
Development Officer – Rakhyia Arshad-Begum
Qualifications:BSc Sociology University of Manchester
Rakhyia has been at Saheli for a while now and relishes the challenges the job brings. Rakhyia maintains the job satisfaction she anticipated when joining the team. She was introduced to the group by a friend and came along as a volunteer and she has since progressed to working as a Development Officer. Rakhyia plays a key role in taking the organisation and the projects forward in the future.
Development Officer – Ally Sultana
Qualifications: 3 A-Levels and Certificate from Institute of Leadership & Management
Ally joined Saheli in 2009 and now co-ordinates the Saheli Empowerment Programme. Working with local women to ensure the participation of women in governance and decision making, in both community and public life. Ally has worked in the sector for a number of years and plays a key role in developing networks, organising training and arranging events throughout the year.
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Meet The Hub Team:
Saheli secured a space in the Cannon Hill Education and Training Centre, a part of South Birmingham College, to allow local women to access a small health and fitness facility piloting gender specific provision. We had over 50 women attending a day for the ‘women only’ sessions on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Wednesday was a ‘men only day’. Friday was a mixed session day. This proved that where appropriate ‘gender specific and culturally appropriate services’ for a community can and does work.
Thanks to South Birmingham College and the Healthy Living Centre initiative’s support, we secured half a £million to renovate the small gym into a fully functioning gym to include showers, toilets, changing rooms and state of the art exercise equipment. The renovations were completed in mid 2006. The Saheli Adventure Hub was officially launched on June the 24th 2006.
