The quiet hero

Where did your passion begin?

I was born and raised in Granby Street, Toxteth, in a close knit, multicultural community where our neighbours were Indian, Irish, English and Jamaican. As children, we’d share meals at each other’s homes, enjoying the richness of different cultures through food and friendship.

My passion for education and equality was shaped by places like the L8 Law Centre* that offered support and hope. Despite the political unrest, racial tensions and unemployment challenges of 1980s Liverpool, I have beautiful memories and Toxteth stood out to me as a thriving example of multicultural unity.

*The L8 Law Centre was established after the 1981 uprisings to defend and empower the local community.

Who were your heroes?

I deeply admire global icons in black history like Muhammad Ali and Nelson Mandela but I believe it’s just as important to celebrate local heroes who’ve shaped our communities.

As a teenager, I was inspired by Liverpool activists Maria O’Reilly, Rashid Mufti and Wally Brown, who helped shape the Toxteth of today. They’ve since built on the legacy of activism that defined the area in the 1980s and remind us that real change often begins at grassroots level.

What was your dream?

Maria was my mentor back then and I’ll never forget her mantra, ‘Education, education, education’.

Growing up, I dreamed of becoming a doctor but in my community that felt out of reach. I was swayed by the promise of opportunity in IT and studied Business Information Systems but my passion lay in mental health and advocacy and I joined the NHS. I was determined to amplify the voices of ethnic minorities, a mission I’ve carried for a quarter of a century. I’m proud to have built a career rooted in purpose and impact.

What are you doing to make a difference?

I believe real change can’t come from one person alone - it needs collaboration.

In my role as Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead (in Secure Care), I work closely with doctors, nurses, carers and other colleagues supporting patients, communities and staff. It’s vital that they have a voice and that we listen - because they are the true experts.

What’s changed?

One of my greatest joys is witnessing people of colour finally stepping into leadership roles. It would have rarely happened in my mum’s generation. Today we have nurses educated in other countries, we see role models at director level. These are not token gestures, they’re an integral part of a set up that helps people thrive.

I’ve seen real progress in anti racial education and a desire to learn about other people’s culture. While racism hasn’t disappeared, there’s now more friendship and understanding.

What’s your proudest moment?

Helping people from ethnic minority backgrounds - many with no prior experience - into mental health and watching them grow.

My dream is to start a charity to inspire young people to believe they can become someone. For now, my greatest reward is when someone I’ve supported comes back to tell me how well they’re doing. Changing one life can spark a ripple effect because they can go on to change others.”

I still have hope

When Abdi persuaded his daughter against attending an event in London, it was prompted by a fear of racial abuse from demonstrators at a nearby anti-immigration march. It was a graphic reminder of days when, as a young man, he would run a gauntlet of abuse while walking to work.

“We were worried about her. It’s a bad feeling telling your child, ‘You can’t go because this march is going on’. It took me back to the 80s when my friends and I wanted to venture into Liverpool city centre. Our parents told us to stay local, scared we’d be beaten up or chased by police or worse. Kids don’t understand, they think, ‘Why do these people hate me?’”

He’s concerned about current negativity towards immigrants and that there is a false rhetoric that people from other ethnic backgrounds don’t make a contribution.

My wife, my entire family, work in the NHS - we all contribute. My father, grandfather and uncle came from Somalia and served in the British forces. They helped make Britain what it is today.

He’s still hopeful things will get better.

“In Liverpool my life has been shaped by friends, some I’ve known all my life, others I’ve met along the way. Those relationships have taught me, although we’re different in nationality and skin colour, we share a deep bond. We may come from different backgrounds but we are still brothers. That sense of connection and mutual respect is what gives me hope for the future.”

Local heroes

Wally Brown’s life as a youth leader worker at the Methodist Centre in Toxteth established him as one of the most respected men in Liverpool 8 by young people.