Meet Our Staff

Founder - Director (She/Her)

I lead the incredible and dynamic Hummingbird Project, and work closely with our Hummingbird Young Leaders to make sure our work is centred around the ideas and feedback of young people with lived experience.

I began the Hummingbird project in 2015, alongside the community of Brighton, as a response to the hostile and ill treatment of refugees in the Calais ‘Jungle’ in Northern France. I have been honoured to continue that work in the UK since 2017, now as a registered charity, responding to the hostile environment and often racist practices of the UK government through the asylum system.

Prior to setting up the Hummingbird Project in 2015, my work has largely been on the frontline. Mostly in child protection and with adults and children who have experienced domestic and sexual violence but also supporting those living with HIV.

I have always been involved in activism and believe strongly in the power of hope, solidarity and collective action.

I have special interests in social justice, anti-racist practice and intersectional feminism.

Alongside my work with Hummingbird I am currently studying a part time masters in Power, Participation and Social Change. This is to help support our thinking and actions as an organisation as we begin to step up our work pushing for social change.

'I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Maya Angelou

Youth Service Manager (She/Her)

I manage our fantastic interdisciplinary team at Hummingbird who seek to provide the best environment and tools to support the courageous and resilient young people we work with. 

I began my journey in the refugee support sector in 2015 whilst studying International Relations and Development Studies at SOAS. Prior to my current role at Hummingbird I have worked in a variety of grassroots charities that centre on promoting the rights of people with lived experience of migration. These roles have focussed on the delivery and management of frontline advice and support services, advocacy and campaigning, social integration programmes and legal education. 

I am passionate about and committed to positive social change and championing the rights, livelihoods and wellbeing of people affected by the hostile environment. 

Alongside my work at Hummingbird I am studying a part time MSc Climate Change at Birkbeck University, and am enrolled on a part time Farm Entrants Traineeship at Lovebrook Farm, an ecological wellbeing project in the heart of the South Downs. 

Global Social Club Lead (She/They)

I feel very lucky to have been appointed as Global Social Club Lead.
The project has a strong history of providing fun and intercultural interaction in a warm, safe space. I'm excited to be leading the Club's amazing team of dedicated staff, partners and volunteers.

I am a trained youth worker, facilitator, trainer, teacher and
campaigner. I've spent most of my career in the UK, as well as in Eritrea, Nepal and the Caribbean.

I'm passionate about meeting young people and facilitating spaces where they can grow, share and have new experiences. Global Social Club is a space like this - and it is such a joy to spend time with the young people who attend.

 “I am a person through other people.
My humanity is tied to yours.”

Archbishop Desmond Tutu 

Learning Space Lead (She/Her)

I am Hummingbird’s Education Lead and run our learning space. 

I am an experienced teacher and have worked in education for over 10 years, including supporting young refugees in the UK and abroad. I have an MA in Migration and Global Development from the University of Sussex.

I believe that learning is a lifelong process which should be accessible to everyone. I enjoy supporting young people to develop their skills and knowledge to open up new opportunities and allow them to fulfil their potential.

Hummingbird Ambassador & Specialist Support Worker (He/Him)

 I am one of Hummingbird Project's longest standing Young Leaders and a winner of Campaigner of the Year in the 2019 UK Parliamentry Awards.

I regularly represent the charitiy at events, meetings and in the media. Including representing the organisation and young people in the Houses of Parliament.

I am  currently studying a to be a Social Worker at university,  And I'm also the founder of Worthing Ping table tennis club and was a touring actor in the much celebrated play ‘Borderline’. 

One interesting fact, is that coined the expression ‘standing shoulder to shoulder’ which inspired the Hummingbird Project's vision statement.

Senior Specialist Support Worker (He/Him)

I am the Senior Specialist Support Worker for our Be Well, Be Heard service, providing one-to-one casework with young people and working with our wonderful team. 

I have been supporting and working alongside young people from refugee backgrounds for the last 6 years both in the UK and France. Through a combination of youth work, casework and emotional support. 

I am passionate about supporting young people to challenge the hostile environment in the UK and thrive. I also am focused on giving young people the resources and information they need to grow in confidence and develop their own skills and abilities. 

"Like a flower of Almond in April, Since revolution grows in the wounds of grief, Rise in honor of the forests, Rise in honor of the rivers."

Nizar Qabbani

Specialist Refugee Support Worker (She/Her)

My role is Specialist Support Worker, providing one-to-one support to young people across all aspects of their lives.

Prior to my current role, I spent many years in the live events industry.  I am also a trainee counsellor and bereavement volunteer. 

I’m passionate about community and enjoy working with young people to support them in making a new home in a welcoming environment.

 “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

Maya Angelou

Specialist Support Worker for Global Social Club (She/Her)

I am the Specialist Support Worker for Global Social Club and am excited to be joining a great team of staff and volunteers in creating a fun, inclusive, supportive and welcoming space for young refugees and asylum seekers in Brighton.

I am passionate about protecting the rights of young refugees and asylum seekers and ensuring their participation in decision making and service delivery. This commitment has inspired my work supporting young refugees over the last 20 years. I have worked with young refugees for many different charities in the UK and internationally. Most recently, I was working as youth caseworker in Croydon for a charity called Young Roots, which I co-founded in 2004.

I hold an MSc in Forced Migration and a doctorate in International Development Studies focused on the experiences of young Bhutanese refugees growing up in camps, both from the University of Oxford’s Refugee Studies Centre.

Alongside my role with Hummingbird, I recently qualified as an integrative counsellor and work within a college counselling service.    

"Safeguarding the rights of others is the most noble and beautiful end of a human being"

Khalil Gibran

Young Leaders Support and Engagement Worker

I am thrilled to be joining the Hummingbird Project as a Young Leaders Support and Engagement Worker. As the daughter and granddaughter of refugees, I truly feel the key to supporting young people is listening to what they have to say; helping to elevate their own voices and lived experiences. After over ten years of working with young people from a range of backgrounds, teaching and building confidence through drama and play, I feel excited to be working alongside young people and learning from what they bring to the table. My previous professional experience is in theatre, working as a performer in musicals touring the UK and Internationally, and alongside my work at The Hummingbird Project I am also a trainee counsellor where I am undertaking a Postgraduate Diploma in Humanistic Counselling and Psychotherapy at Brighton University. I am extremely excited to work with Young Leaders and to be a part of the amazing work The Hummingbird Project does. 

Young Leaders Programme Lead (They/Them)

I am the new Young Leaders Lead, and it's an exciting project  to join. I am very passionate about young people having a voice and a seat at the table.

I have nearly 20 years expereince working with young people in the charity, mental health and arts sector. I am an educator and arts practitioner who's practice focuses on mental health and wellbeing, empowerment, participatory practice and creativity!

I have worked for various grassroots charities in London, managing, developing, facilitating projects with and for young people, providing a safe space for people to have their voices heard. My background was in community arts for social change. I am also a trainee counsellor Mindfulness practitioner and work in a trauma informed, compassionate way.

I have worked extensively in the LGBTQ+ youth sector, VAWG, and with young people with additional needs (disabilities, neurodiversity).

I am excited to support our future Young Leaders and join such an amazing team at Hummingbird!

 “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.”

Audre Lorde

Young Leaders Facilitator (He/Him)

I help to run our Young Leaders Program! I support young people in learning new skills such as public speaking, leadership, communication and confidence.

I also help the Young Leaders prepare for events and public speaking engagments and work with other refugee organisations to help share our learnings from the Young Leaders Program. 

My work experience is a wide variety of technology, events and creativity. More than anything I just like dreaming up ideas and making them happen. 

I love to see people (young and old) grow in confidence and take on new opportunties and challenges. Watching and each every  Hummingbird Young Leader progress on their own amazing journey fills me hope and pride.

"You, the people have the power.  The power to make this life free and beautiful, to make this life a wonderful adventure"

Charlie Chaplin

Fundraising Manager (She/Her)

My role at Hummingbird is to secure vital funding for our youth services. This includes crafting fundraising strategies, submitting grant applications to trusts and foundations, and supporting community fundraising initiatives. I also oversee our relationships with donors and funders, ensuring that we meet all reporting requirements. 

I feel passionately about the protection of those most vulnerable in our community, so I take pride in contributing to Hummingbird's efforts to create a more welcoming and supportive environment for young people from refugee backgrounds here in Brighton.

"When you get these jobs that you have been so brilliantly trained for, just remember that your real job is that if you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else."

Toni Morrison

Finance & Administration Officer (She/Her)

In my role at Hummingbird I oversee the general administration and financial processes as part of a job share with my colleague, Kate. Having previously worked in the charity and higher education sector and across various international contexts, I am delighted to now be part of the Hummingbird Project team, working alongside people who share the same core values. 

I am passionate about equality, social justice and anti-racism work. In particular, the centering of the voices and lived experiences of minoritised people and communities. 

Alongside my work at Hummingbird I am studying for a part-time PhD at University of the Creative Arts, exploring Bengali British identity through hand weaving and contemporary textile design. 

"Stand for something or you will fall for anything."

Rosa Parks 

Finance & Administration Officer (She/Her)

As Finance and Administration Officer I help with managing Hummingbird’s financial activities and supporting the team with HR and administration.    

I love my job because it combines my passion for Human Rights with my love of spreadsheets and the satisfaction that comes from making things balance.  Coming to work every day and being surrounded by people with the same moral values as me is very important and because of this I feel very lucky to be a part of the Hummingbird team.  

My working background includes managing the finance for an environmental charity as well as volunteer recruitment and management for a social prescribing project.  I also have a degree in Human Rights and Creative Writing. 

"What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived.  It is what difference we have made to the lives of others."

Nelson Mandela