Saira Usman

My name is Saira Usman. I’m the founder and director of Usmaira Limited. My involvement with the public sector is a part of my completely voluntary role as the head of Usmaira Community Projects.
A few years ago when I went through a particularly difficult phase of mental health I experienced a lot of stigma, misunderstandings and ignorance within the South Asian community around mental health issues and that’s what initially inspired me to start raising awareness within this community to create a more inclusive environment for those who were previously isolated due to their conditions. In October 2021 I hosted my first public event ‘The Mind Matters,’ raising money for the charity Mind and starting the conversation about mental health. The event was an instant success with so many ladies approaching me pro event to ask for contact details on how to get help and congratulating me on taking a very important and much needed step in this
community. I have since ran this event annually, bringing people together to keep the conversation going and each year handing out care packs to ladies with important contact
details and pamper products so they have something to take home.
Once I became involved with ladies from the community I started to identify so many different issues which needed to be addressed. Loneliness, isolation and a lack of health education amongst others. This really motivated me to do more and with the blessing of our CEO I was able to launch Usmaira Community Projects. This includes running Women’s Wellbeing Sessions with Medical experts and informal Tea and Talk sessions at Fenham Library. This has given many local ladies something to look forward to on a regular basis. They gain knowledge and socialise at the same time.
As often as possible I also host the Usmaira Bazaar which brings together local businesses, especially those selling from home and gives them a chance to showcase their products and build a client base. This is a free to attend event for the public, once again creating an opportunity to socialise and build those important connections which help to create a more inclusive community.
All of these events are primarily funded by ourselves, sometimes we do approach local businesses for sponsorship purposes which helps us to offer more free services to the public. For example at the annual Usmaira Eid Mela I arrange for all the children to be able to have henna and Face paint done for free and hire entertainment when possible.
This nomination is an honour and affirmation of the impact I’m creating. To receive recognition for the work I’m doing especially from the esteemed ABCONNEXIONS awards is more than just a dream come true. It’s a message to the critics and those who deem this work as useless.
So many people approach me asking for guidance, advice, certain contact details or sometimes just a chat and that makes me so proud that I’ve managed to make myself accessible to those who before becoming familiar with me or my work may not have had anyone to approach. Challenges come in the form of negative feedback and jester from time to time but the smiles and thanks I receive at every event and session I organise keep me motivated even when I feel like I’m not doing enough or when I get overwhelmed.
Thank you for this nomination, truly this is an inspiration in itself.