I’m originally from Iran and have lived in Gateshead for 25 years, volunteering in different sectors. Living overseas and volunteering opened my eyes to some issues that people were experiencing around me. I’ve built the confidence to step forward and try to be the voice of those who need more support. The Bridgebuilder role was the perfect start for my wish to come true. Since then I’m focusing on one of the biggest issues Asylum seekers and Refugees are dealing with: Language barriers.

I’m Director of South Asian and diversity arts sector leader GemArts. Through GemArts award winning, ambitious artistic programme I’ve worked to increase arts engagement among underrepresented communities particularly from Global Majority+ backgrounds, ensuring talent and artistic excellence is diverse, thriving and celebrated. I’m a proud Geordie from Gateshead and am passionate about this work because I believe in community empowerment, collaboration, equality of opportunity, equity, diversity and inclusion.

My background and doctorate are in the social sciences, with a focus on how people explore a good life. I am primarily interested in biographic approaches and use participatory models of community engagement and research. I believe that as a society, we need to create systems that foster inclusion, meaningful participation and community power. For communities to thrive, local people need the opportunities, skills and confidence to engage in making decisions that are going to improve their lives.

I was a joiner for 10 years then took a career change, working for Citizens Advice followed by Changing Lives, a charity supporting people with drug and alcohol dependency. I also worked for the ONS as a Census Engagement Manager. With the freedom of this work I am able to focus on relationship building, listening for common needs and finding ways to meet them, and building bridges across siloes. I am passionate about my work meeting people from all walks of life listening to their journeys.

I’m from Turkey and have worked in education for approximately 16 years. After teaching, the most fulfilling aspect was executing community projects alongside students, teachers, and parents. I have served in national and international charities too. To help people to help others you must first leave your burdens on the ship, then work with all your might for its progress. In this team we are passengers of the same ship. I enjoy working together and seeing the ship advance while singing the same songs.

With a background in public and voluntary sectors as an engagement strategist, I'm committed to breaking down traditional structural barriers and leading my community towards a fairer future. I'm dedicated to levelling up the playing field, amplifying the voices of those affected by inequalities, and helping them reach their potential through collective community empowerment. It's a profound privilege to make a difference to those at the sharpest end of social injustice.

While studying in Rabat, Morocco I was responsible for communications of the students’ association. I was coordinator of ALECMA which fights for rights of migrants, and worked for Red Cross and MSF. I was co-ordinator of Rabat’s festival migrant’s scene, promoting African culture and breaking down barriers that existed between communities. I love this work because I'm concerned about community development, wellbeing and mental health, and creating spaces for communities and services to be accessible.

I'm a Geordie born and bred. I trained as a SEND teacher and worked in Belgium with the EU before moving back to Gateshead and volunteering with Mutual Aid. I work mainly in Teams and Dunston and support the Bridgebuilders with their 'on the ground' work. Being a Bridgebuilder, for me, is about living my ‘Trinocular’ approach to community development; deep active listening, acknowledging and talking about people’s trauma and finding ‘the sparkle’ - the people and places that exude joy, light and love.

I moved to Gateshead five years ago, having lived in Co. Durham, Australia and Edinburgh. I’ve worked in community organising and love supporting people to step into their power. For years I’ve been trying to understand the fundamental issues trapping people in cycles of deprivation and desperation. Being made to feel that you don’t deserve to play a role in making decisions that affect you is one. I see our Bridgebuilder work as radically transformative, it’s an absolute privilege to get to do it.

As a community Bridge builder I am well connected with all the BME, Muslim, Refugees and Asylum seekers with all different backgrounds and communities, I have listened to them, then identified their needs and fulfilled their requirements within our limited resources, I help them, support them through listening, signposting, partnership working, social media and the help of local organisations. After such a long time working with community we feel like family.