My Voice is my Superpower – Wan Abdullah talks about how experiencing kindness has led her to be an active volunteer in Leeds whilst still seeking asylum.

Blogs are great! Great for introducing ideas and experiences but they are a little limited if you have literacy issues or English isn’t your first language. But People’s Powerhouse endeavours to showcase the voices of all Northerners so we’re doing a blog slightly differently.  

Ruth went to interview friend of People’s Powerhouse, Wan Abdullah, who kindly spoke at our Housing and Racial Justice event recently. Wan is seeking sanctuary (asylum) and lives in West Yorkshire. We went to speak to Wan as she is quite the woman. Below is what she told us, from working with midwives on maternity & perinatal mental health to playing in a women’s football team, to being involved in the Voices Network to being a City of Sanctuary ambassador. Wan is a busy woman so we really appreciated her taking the time to chat. 

We met in one of her favourite places, Leeds Playhouse (where they operate a kindness coffee system). 

Ruth: You’re involved in lots of activities and causes what was your motivation in getting involved in those? 

Wan: Whatever I have received in my struggle time, in my first and second year in the UK. I met lots of kind-hearted people who really changed whoever I am today I was a different person. It was a life changing moment. The genuine support I received during my struggle times, which are still ongoing. (I was diagnosed with PTSD during my pregnancy, which was during the first lockdown.) That was when I first found out about volunteering. I had a volunteer who was supporting me during that time, she was so genuine, every three days she made me a routine in her calendar. Checking in on me. I had never experienced that before in my life – not even from my own family. 

It may sound small for UK people but for me it’s big. She encouraged me to join the antenatal class – I didn’t want to, but she didn’t give up on me. 

.After I gave birth to my son, Rose (the coordinator) approached me and asked me to join her new group and become a peer supporter. I said I didn’t have self-confidence and my English was poor, but Rose said we know this, you can communicate so I did. I did the “Finding Your Voice” training, learnt how to tell my story. You own your story. Rose would always put me in the spotlight. We always saw her (Rose) as a hope. 

I then started as an “expert by experience” for midwifery after my experience when I was pregnant. 

At the end of the last lockdown (January 2021), Rose told me: “we’re going to Surrey, to a big midwifery conference for you to tell your story”. I was super nervous, but I said let’s do it. First mind blowing event I’d had – over 300 students gave me a standing ovation and were queuing to hug me. That’s when I realised that my story mattered. 

Ruth: You’re an ambassador for City of Sanctuary, what impact has this had on your life? 

Wan: I started in 2021, I discovered at the same time I was dyslexic. When they offered their first course which was maternity in politics. I was really excited. 

When I was looking for activities to help with my PTSD, there were lots that weren’t suitable for me with a new baby, then I saw Holbeck Moor FC – first thing I saw creche provided, bus fare provided. I’d hit jackpot. I was still anxious to go alone, so Rose asked other women in the group if they wanted to come with me.  

I started to find fun and joy, I’d never kicked a ball in my whole like. Back in my country, football is a man’s thing. All of us who went it started to affect our lives. The fun and the excitement was what kept us going. Our coach – we call her Blue – said you’ve been talking about us so much we’d like to call you, our ambassador. 

Ruth: You’ve told me about getting involved in Holbeck Moor – what’s it like getting involved in the club? 

Wan: It’s a privilege because for a person who never even thought they would kick a ball and now I’m an ambassador. And we got a football of sanctuary (award) because of all the work with asylum seeker women. We feel honoured to receive that, our work has been seen and heard. The beauty of Holbeck Moor is there are no restrictions, you don’t have to wear sportswear, one of the mothers wears a skirt. As long as you’re having fun and you’re kicking a ball that’s the most important thing. This is freedom to be you. I feel proud because I manage to show to people who underestimate, I now try many things in my life I have never tried. 

Holbeck Moor FC is the first women’s football team to win the Sanctuary award. 

Ruth: What difference has the support you’ve received – as a woman seeking asylum – made for you? 

Wan: As well as the maternity and football support I’ve also received support from domestic abuse services – as I fled domestic abuse four years ago. I have been in peri-natal mental health who specialise in domestic abuse. I have my case worker. I’m still learning how to cope; I took course with the Shantona Women’s Centre and I’m now qualified to become a Community Messenger specifically on domestic abuse – focusing on migrant women. I took the chances of my time now – as an asylum seeker, I can’t work – so I don’t want to be a victim in my situation. That’s how I lead by example, my English is not superb, but I’m just like you that’s what I always show to the others. People are always shocked; they already think I’ve got my status. I’m very loud nowadays. This is my therapy, making other people happy makes me happy. I just want to be the best version of me now. I’m no longer a victim I’m a survivor. 

I want people to find a way; I try to be like a treasure hunter, clearing a path so others will hopefully follow. 

Ruth: You’ve started two groups as a volunteer: a domestic abuse awareness raising group and your Leeds Got Talent – tell us a little more? 

Wan: I’ve been to many groups; I see lots of people with talent, but they don’t have the confidence or the skills to push themselves. I have the skill to do it, I’m very sociable. I recognise my strengths, so I use it to help other people.  

Asylum and Refugees Got Talent started in Leeds but there are people in other places. I’m telling you my story but there are people with more challenging, more interesting stories; but people don’t want to talk about it. They think they don’t matter. But I try to make these people realise they matter; their stories are unique. It can boost their confidence and it’s good for their mental health. 

Ruth: I reflect that Wan feels she is very different from when she arrived and that she had people who were there for her showing her kindness and now you’re paying that forward to other people. Other people saw something in you and you’re doing it with others. 

Wan: I’m giving back – I’m still receiving support. If someone can see my potential – Rose McCarthy just saw my potential. She’s not just done it to me, she does it with many. I see the purpose of me being the best version of me.  

When I came to the UK, I was pregnant and miscarried on the second day, I got two blood transfusions, I was gone but I came back. I’m not going that to be in vain. I’m going to make the best. I learn to set boundaries; I learn to recognise abuse. I’m going to do the same things for these people. When I spoke to the midwives in Surrey, I said I know now why God saved me, every day I open my eyes and say: why am I still alive? Now I understand because one day I’m going to meet all these people, to share my story and inspire people. My voice is my superpower.