Ustadha Ameena Blake
Ustadha Ameena Blake, Muslim Chaplain shares more about the work of the charity she established and her hopes for the University's Religion, Belief and No Belief Strategy and Action Plan.
Ustadha Ameena Blake, Muslim Chaplain in the Belief No Belief and Religious Life Centre (BNBR Life Centre), Student Support Services.
Ameena’s career has spanned a variety of sectors and roles including mechanic, coach driver, and university lecturer. Following her passion and focus to support and advocate for others, Ameena went on to spend many years working to support the Muslim community in Sheffield, including establishing the Fatima Community Centre.
Ameena has also fundraised and established a women’s project. Since setting up the charity and the first branch in Birmingham, there are now four operational centres which have collectively supported over 400 women and children providing them with education, advice and a safe space to live.
Wanting to further her career as a Muslim Scholar, Ameena did a Masters in Islamic Studies with the aim of showing women that they too could become scholars and has since gone on to support others on their journey.
Since joining the University, Ameena has played a pivotal role within the BNBR Life Centre supporting staff and students. She was also instrumental in creating and facilitating the University's Religion, Belief and No Belief Strategy and Action Plan as part of its Delivery Team.
Ameena shares more about the work of the project she established and her hopes for the University's Religion, Belief and No Belief Strategy and Action Plan:
“The objective of the project is to equip and empower the women and children who come to us with the tools, skills and confidence to rebuild their lives. Often these women come to us after being through some incredibly difficult and traumatic abuse. They’ve found themselves in a new country not knowing the language or the system. In those moments, they often have no one to turn to and that’s where the charity comes in, to be there for them in those moments of need.
“In those first few days and months, we’re there to help them with their visa applications and support them in accessing psychological support and advice. Eventually, these women are ready to move on and start rebuilding lives for themselves and their children. We’ve had women who have come back and worked with the charity to share their experiences and support others, all whilst building their CV and portfolios that go on to help them in their future endeavours.
“Religion and belief can be something that people don’t feel they can be open about or feel confident talking about. Through the University's Religion, Belief and No Belief Strategy and Action Plan and the BNBR Life Centre, I really hope we can create spaces and facilitate conversations that allow people to feel more confident with their belief identity.
“We’re still in the early stages of this work and over the coming months and years, I hope to see this start to embed across the University. We’re starting to see that happen with some of the other Action Plans which is great to see. It’s all about cultural change, and that does take time, but I look forward to seeing the progress we make in all areas.
“Ultimately, I’m honoured to be a part of the University community and have felt so welcomed since joining. There are challenges, as with everything, but it's an amazing community that I’m proud to be a part of.’”
Thank you to all the women for taking the time to share their stories and reflections and for providing the information featured on these web pages.