Community Care • 4th September 2023

One day with social workers showed Fatima Whitbread how much the care system had changed

It’s a warm summer’s day when I meet Fatima, in the offices of Essex County Council. We are here for her to meet social workers and take part in the ‘It’s My Life’ festival, a week-long event for children in care held by the council at Danbury Country Park. She’s dressed for a day of outdoor activities, and her yellow Action for Children top with cycling shorts and trainers are hard to miss. She is an ambassador for the charity, having run the London Marathon 2023, and continues to fundraise in

Community Care • 13th April 2023

Palliative care social work: 'this is proper social work, this is what I trained to do'

To some, at first glance, working in a hospice might seem a gloomy place to practise social work.

However, Wendy Ashton, joint education lead at the Association of Palliative Care Social Workers (APCSW), believes social work in palliative care is about celebrating life rather than focusing on death.

“This is proper social work, this is what I trained to do. I don’t mean that to be demeaning of any other social work but it is totally different,” she says.

Palliative care, usually given in a ho

Community Care • 9th March 2023

Social work in schools: an opportunity to change perceptions

“I thought they were rude people who interfered in people’s lives, but obviously not. I think they want to help people,” says a student, from a secondary school in a London borough, when asked what she thought about social workers.

The school is in one of the local authorities taking part in the Social Workers In Schools (SWIS) programme.

Social workers are often viewed in a negative light by the general public and can experience hostility from service users. One of the benefits of the SWIS pr

Community Care • 25th January 2023

Social work in prisons: 'it's not what you think'

“I really take a lot of pleasure in seeing people go from being in a very distressed position, not being able to cope, not managing, not thinking things are worthwhile, giving up, to seeing them progress to where they are – thriving, if you like, which is a strange thing in this place,” says Glynis Marsh, a practice educator who works at a prison for male sex offenders.

“They’ve overcome some of the difficulties and are really trying to make something of their lives, which is very rewarding.”

Surrey Comet • 26th May 2022

Surrey County Council awarded £5million for cycling lanes and walking paths

Surrey County Council has been awarded more than £5million to create more cycling lanes and walking paths across its boroughs.

Surrey Comet • 25th May 2022

Joe Wicks visits hometown Epsom in emotional mental health documentary

Exercise guru and post-pandemic national treasure, Joe Wicks, visited his secondary school and childhood home in Epsom during a documentary about mental health.

openDemocracy • 25th May 2021

What do Black Lives Matter and Palestine solidarity have in common?

As we mark the anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, it is hard not to draw comparisons with the global Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and the impact it had on the growing international solidarity with the Palestinians.

Kingston Courier • 30th March 2021

Kingston’s unplaced children highlight the need for new secondary school in the borough

The number of children in Kingston without an allocated secondary school place on National Offer Day, March 1, has increased substantially.

Kingston Courier • 14th March 2021

Kingston to use AI to make transport decisions

Kingston Council is working with an artificial intelligence (AI) company to monitor what people and vehicles do when they enter the town centre.

Kingston Courier • 14th December 2020

Lifesaving heart screening halted due to pandemic

A mother from Worcester Park was able to save her son’s life by taking him for a preemptive heart screening just before the first lockdown began.

Voices - from Kingston and beyond • 16th December 2021

Covid puts BAME groups at risk

Voices - from Kingston and beyond • 16th December 2021

World Hijab Day 2021

Voices - from Kingston and beyond • 16th December 2021

Islamophobia needs to be taken seriously

Kingston Courier • 12th December 2020

How volunteers are doing essential work to help refugees

“She is a superwoman,” said Sudanese refugee Moe about 45-year-old teaching assistant, Zeenat Bibi.

Charities and volunteers are helping Moe, and other refugees, with necessities, not only through the pandemic, but through the longest wait of their lives. Those seeking asylum in the UK are placed in temporary accommodation, moved around for months, if not years, just to have their cases heard.

When 33-year-old Moe arrived in England three months ago, he was initially placed in a hotel in Croyd

Kingston Courier • 1st December 2020

Kingston Outreach project helps local people through lockdown –

A project called Kingston Outreach has been helping locals in need by providing a food bank and hot food service since March, when lockdown first began.

Kingston Courier • 19th January 2021

Kingston Voluntary Action awarded Covid-19 grant –

Kingston Voluntary Action (KVA) has been awarded a £100,000 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund for residents affected by Covid-19.

Kingston Courier • 14th December 2020

Stickman: Brought to life at the Rose Theatre –

The much-loved children’s modern classic Stickman by Julia Donaldson is back at the Rose Theatre this Christmas.

Kingston Courier • 1st December 2020

Prime Minister faces backlash as MPs vote on new coronavirus measures –

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to face rebellion from some backbenchers over coronavirus restrictions in a vote on Tuesday, December 1.

Kingston Courier • 21st October 2020

Hate Crime Awareness Week: Kingston has one of the lowest rates of race hate crime in the capital

Kingston had one of the lowest numbers of reported racist or religiously motivated crime rates in London in the 12 months up to July

Kingston Courier • 13th October 2020

National Curry Week: How are Kingston’s Indian restaurants getting through the pandemic?

It has been a challenging time for the hospitality industry. From the start of lockdown in March, restaurants around the country have had to adapt and innovate to stay in business.

Kingston Courier • 5th October 2020

South Londoners featured in Harry and Meghan’s Black History Month campaign

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have launched a ‘Next Gen Trailblazers’ campaign for Black History Month which includes a number of rising stars from London.

Mail Online • 14th March 2012

How an hour spent smoking trendy shisha pipes is as harmful as a HUNDRED cigarettes

Hubbly-bubbly, hookah or shisha - whatever name it goes by, puffing on a Turkish waterpipe is the latest trend to hit British bars and cafes.

Rihaala Magazine • 13th December 2021

Rihaala Magazine Winter 2019

Join Sharmeen and her family on their adventures to Malta and why it's the perfect destination to add to your list. (page14)

Issuu • 16th August 2019

Rihaala Magazine - Summer Edition

Sharmeen gives us an inside look at the breathtaking St. Regis Mauritius. (page21)

Blog • 2nd December 2019

The best halal restaurants of 2019

I would say 2019 has been a year of discoveries when it comes to restaurants.

Kohinoor • 10th July 2017

The secret to an authentic curry

You can find thousands of recipes for different kinds of curries online or in cookery books. For novices, it’s often hard to choose which recipe to use.

Kohinoor • 26th April 2017

Indian influence in chocolate —

Traditionally, chocolate doesn’t feature highly in food in India or any of Subcontinental Asia. Most desserts are made from milk, butter, rice or fruit. However, that hasn’t stopped Indian ingredients from entering the chocolate market.

Huffington Post • 7th May 2021

A Guide To Halal Tourism

'Halal' is an Arabic word, which means permitted for Muslims. We generally associate 'halal' with food, but the word is used generically for all aspects of life with respect to what is lawful. Another way to describe halal tourism is 'Muslim-friendly'.

Mums do travel • 7th May 2021

St Lucia Archives

Saint Lucia is one of the Caribbean’s most mountainous islands. Located about 100 miles from Barbados on the eastern stretch of the Caribbean, expect flora and fauna, mountains, rainforests and golden sandy beaches.

The Epoch Times • 7th May 2021

Discovering the history of Andalusia

“Tabaarak alladhi biyyadi ill mulku” are the words inscribed in front of me in Kufic – ancient Arabic calligraphy. You may think I’m in a mosque, but I am in the Alhambra Palace in Spain.

Kohinoor • 26th July 2017

Coffee trends that are here to stay

Coffee. So rich and beautiful. Wonderful on it’s own and yet explosive when combined with other desirable foods such as chocolate or ice cream.

Kohinoor • 5th December 2016

Inspirations in Bali

Located in the Southern Hemisphere, Bali is a destination which aims to mesmerise everyone that touches its shores. Hundreds of kilometres of sandy beaches encircles mountainous regions, waterfalls, forests, wildlife and volcanoes.

Whilst part of Indonesia, Balinese culture is very different from the rest of Indonesia. Bali is enriched by the influences of Hinduism which means temples with intricate carvings can be found at every turn. The Balinese are extremely spiritual, whether it’s a restau

Halal Gems • 7th May 2021

For the love of food: Cocoa Hernando

Sweet things aren’t as simple as they used to be. Long gone are the days when a bar of milk chocolate was all that was required to hit the spot. Our palettes are becoming more discerning, craving for more creative flavour combinations in our sweet treats.

Mums do travel • 11th January 2017

Fairmont Sanur Beach Bali review

When you go from being a family of four to a family of five, things change dramatically in many ways. One of the downsides is not being able to stay in one room when on holiday. Very few hotels offer rooms for five people even if three of those are under ten.

Blog • 24th September 2021

Top 10 things to do in Barcelona for Muslim Couples

In August I went to Barcelona to enjoy some quality time with my husband. It was an opportunity for all three children to spend some time with their grandparents and us to go abroad without having to book two rooms or taste milk at the airport or pack a rucksack full of food/nappies/Calpol or ..the list is endless!

Blog • 24th September 2021

Things to do in North Devon with kids

There is a plethora of activities and things to do in North Devon with kids (or without!) and especially near Westward Ho! where we stayed for our holiday. Here I’ve listed some of them!

Blog • 15th June 2021

Review: Nipa Thai, Lancaster Hotel, London

An overdue night out with a friend brought us to Nipa Thai for the first time.

Blog • 15th June 2021

Review: Maximini - Bayswater, London

On Friday I met up with my besties for a Chinese. No ordinary Chinese, Maximini is Jimmy Choo’s culinary offering in Bayswater.

Blog • 15th June 2021

Review - The Great Chase, Angel

It’s been a while since I did a restaurant review but I felt The Great Chase was really worthy of a write-up. Not because it’s amazing but because it’s so different!

Blog • 15th June 2021

Review: Meat Rack - Earsfield, London

As London goes gourmet burger crazy Meat Rack is the most recent addition located in Earlsfield

Blog • 15th June 2021

Review: Osaka Japanese - Worcester Park

Named after the Japanese city Osaka in the Kansai region of Japan, Osaka is a new Japanese restaurant that started service earlier this year.

Mums do travel • 17th June 2016

Woburn Safari Park

Woburn Safari Park is on the historic Woburn Estate in Bedfordshire, around 50 miles north of London. The safari park was established by the 13th Duke of Bedford, and opened in 1970.

‘

Mums do travel • 7th December 2015

Animals, rides and more at Drusillas Park

On a Saturday in late November I took my family to Drusillas Park, where Winter Wonderland is open for the festive season.

Blog • 28th March 2014

Review: Nobu - Mayfair, London

Anybody who is anybody hangs out at Nobu! Known for its popularity with celebs, Nobu is famous for its contemporary take on Japanese cuisine.

Kingston Courier • 20th November 2020

COMMENT: President Macron's new policies risk further stigmatising French Muslims

The President of France says he has begun a fight with Islamists, but instead has introduced policies that target ordinary Muslims.

Kingston Courier • 27th October 2020

COMMENT: China's actions in Xinjiang cannot be ignored anymore

After the Holocaust, we said never again. But less than a century later one of the biggest cases of human rights abuse the world has ever seen is happening in China.

She Speaks We Hear • 12th May 2020

Why should British Muslims join the British Army?

When I found out I’d be visiting the Army Training Centre Pirbright, along with the Chair of the Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group, Akeela Ahmed MBE, I was slightly apprehensive. Visions of scary-looking English men in army gear holding rifles filled my mind and I wasn’t really sure what to expect.

She Speaks We Hear • 30th January 2020

It’s time to stand up to and call out anti-Muslim rhetoric

The events of 15th March 2019, where 50 innocent men, women and children were murdered in cold blood will go down as one of New Zealand’s darkest days. Like all terrorist attacks of this calibre we go through extreme emotions of shock, anger, sadness and grief. Overwhelming grief.

Blog • 7th November 2019

The Fallacy of Getting Brexit Done

One of the key slogans we have been hearing from Boris Johnson since he became Prime Minister, is ‘let’s get Brexit done’.

Blog • 1st June 2020

Unpacking Racism

It’s not easy to unpack racism and write about #blacklivesmatter. I am by no means an authority on what black people in America, the UK and around the world have gone through for centuries. As a Muslim of Pakistani origin living in the UK, I know all too well about racism and anti-Muslim hatred, but anti-black racism is a whole different ball game. I recognise my privilege.

She Speaks We Hear • 30th January 2020

Thank You Mr. Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

Today I want to talk about the Labour MP for Slough, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi. Because he deserves all the praise he has got, and more.

Blog • 25th September 2019

How to solve a problem like climate change

Amongst all the chaos Boris has been ensuing on us this week, the other news story that has troubled me is far more important.

She Speaks We Hear • 30th January 2020

Can Brexit save us from Europe’s far-right?

As the Prime minister intends to press his Brexit bill through Commons in three days it finally seems like we’re getting ‘Brexit done’, imminently or in the next seven years, can the 2019 general election that is being called a landslide victory for the Tories, bring us together?

Huffington Post • 7th May 2021

Are there really any role models for our girls?

After Rebecca Adlington's revelations this week in 'I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here', it got me thinking about role models. Rebecca became a national treasure after winning us a gold medal in swimming last year in the Olympics, and is a superb role model for any young girl.

Huffington Post • 7th May 2021

Why Has Social Media Made Muslim-Bashing Completely Acceptable?

I find it incredible that Islam and Muslims are interrogated and harassed on a daily basis over social media. It just doesn't happen to people of other faiths.

Huffington Post • 7th May 2021

Halal Wine Anyone?

In a country like Britain where alcohol is drunk on most occasions, be it a wedding, funeral, party, football match, how hard is it to be a teetotaller? For those who struggle to fit in, there is now a solution.