Irfana Ahmed 

I am a volunteer leading a local religious group in Birmingham for more than 17 years. This group gather around 40 to 50 families (the numbers change to more on special occasions) each week. Since 2005, I have been dedicated to serving the community through various voluntary initiatives aimed at improving the lives of those in need. With a passion for compassion, we welcome people from all backgrounds without any boundaries, especially new immigrants, students and young adults who need social community support. We work together with community volunteers. I believe in the power of community support and have strived to make a positive impact in the lives of individuals and families.

Abimbola Ayorinde

Abi is an Associate Professor with expertise in health services and public health research. She has over 15 years’ experience in research. She is the academic lead for the partnership, working closely with the Warwick team and community partners to ensure smooth running of the knowledge partnership.

Jack Chu

Jack is a community partner representing the British Nationals Overseas (BNO). The BNO community is a fast-growing new community from the ex-British colony of Hong Kong. There are about 650 residents in Coventry and growing, mostly ethnic Chinese and a few ethnic Portuguese, Jamaican and Vietnamese.

Florence Gwaririsa

Florence is a Training development Manager at Maxival Recruitment & Training Consultancy. She supports individual, especially those from minority ethnic groups, to develop skills and access employment in health and social care.

Ade Johnson

Ade is the Development Manager at Coventry Central Hall, a community and art hub which serves various community groups. He has led several creative initiatives including Cosy Creative, a City of Culture legacy project.

Sayeda Khatun MBE

As the Chief Executive Officer, Syeda is responsible for overall management of Bangladeshi Women’s Association’s services and accountability to it’s stakeholders. Syeda's community development career began in 1984 and in 2004 she was made a Member of British Empire for her services to the community. Syeda also serves as a Councillor for the Tipton Green Ward, first elected in 1999.

Ruth Ngwata

Ruth is the founder and director of Coventry Empowered African Women Group, a community interest group with a network of up to 100 African women living in Coventry and environs.

Aysha Shaikh

With a passion for empowering the next generation, Aysha is dedicated to serving the youth in community. As the Youth Support Incharge since 2018 I have been instrumental in helping kids and young adults develop essential skills and overcome mental and physical health challenges. I have had the privilege of working closely with kids and youngsters, providing them with the guidance and resources they need to flourish. I am committed to creating a safe and nurturing environment where they can thrive. My mission is to foster a generation of confident, resilient, and empowered young individuals who are equipped to face life's challenges head-on. I believe that by providing them with the right support and skills, we can shape a brighter future for our community.

Raheela Shaikh

Raheela is a research fellow at the University of Warwick. She has worked with underserved communities and various community organizations for the last 14 years. Leveraging her understanding of different cultures and backgrounds, she is able to connect with various groups. She can speak Urdu, Hindi, and Marathi and understands Gujarati, Punjabi, and Bengali. Since 2009, she has been working as a voluntary religious teacher in different community settings in Birmingham. She is interested in mitigating ethnic inequalities, particularly those relating to cardiovascular diseases and stroke.