My name is Amal Ahmed, I work as a TV producer.
My name's Omar Deria, I'm a head teacher.
- My name's Mariam.
I work for Evolve as a liberal practitioner.
- My name is Awale Olad.
I'm a local counsellor in the London Borough of Camden.
- My name is Dr. Mohamed Abdi.
I'm a GP working in South London.
[inquisitive piano music]
- I was at the Guardian.
It was the time where piracy...the Somali piracy broke actually in Somalia.
And as I remember, I was the only Somali person
at the whole organization.
Though I was completely in a different department, it was in IT,
I felt like I had a burning passion to tell the story of the community here
in UK, and what they feel about what
they've been seeing in the news all the time.
-There's almost half a million Somalis in the UK
and that's still growing, and it's critical that
people of African descent, in particular,
have somewhere they can call a home.
And if we have a place we can call a home
it means that we have to be able to decide what happens to our local area.
I feel that anybody from every walk of life can be susceptible
and is exposed to exploitation.
It doesn't matter your socio-economic background, your religion,
your faith, your location –
It's something that's prevalent in many communities.
And I feel that my work is prevalent in supporting young people
and decreasing the risk of exploitation
and in theory, creating a safer world.
I've always loved education. I've always loved supporting and helping children.
I was told when I was a kid that I wasn't bright enough...
to go to university, so I should get a job in a warehouse.
- Having come here as a Somali refugee to the UK,
that I had to learn the language, we had to learn the culture,
we had to integrate.
I had to go through the struggle through high school, A levels, being told that
you can't make it as a doctor.
- I made a promise that when I become a teacher,
I will accept the positive influence on children
which I didn't get when I was in school.
- To me, it's always been a dream of mine to be a healthcare professional.
Especially coming from a culture where helping a community,
helping a society is so important.
I decided that I really wanted to be a doctor.
I want to give back to the community.
[piano fades into soft synth music]
- From my experience,
a lot of people don't actually understand the Somali community.
They don't understand our needs.
I got into this role because it was critical
that people like me, and the family I come from,
and the community I come from,
have a voice, locally.
And having someone like me in a room where ideas and policies can be ...
discussed, which means that a different perspective comes along.
- I know my cultures and I know my people,
And I know what's happening; it was so interesting to see
what does the Somali community here in UK feel about
how the news is portraiting their own country?
Especially for the young generations who're trying to find their identity,
they're trying to find who they are.
They feel they're British, but at the same times, you know, they're Somali,
and they're embarrassed being Somali because of what's happening in the news.
- As a Somali person, I thought I think representation is important
in merging the gap.
In Somali culture, there is a lot of taboo and shame
with regards to being in care, or social services, exploitation, gangs,
and I feel like there needs to be more Somalis involved in social services and exploitation
to help bridge the gap and help those who are in need.
- As a Somali head teacher, I really feel that I'm a- I'm a role model
for - for the younger generation.
I speak to parents, I speak to children,
I often engage in dialogue with parents
and I give them the information they need in Somali, which is extremely important
for their...for their wellbeing.
- You know, I'm very fortunate. Every day, when I go to work,
I meet people from different communities, especially my community,
the Somali community, because having worked as a doctor for many years,
I've seen that, often, people from the Somali community don't get the same care.
And it's because of language barriers. Stigma.
We need doctors from all communities to give back to the communities
that we serve.
- I believe it's so important to tell your own stories.
To be that access gate to your community
where you will be the voice of your people.
In every story, there is two sides,
and that is why we're gonna bring the link
between you and the other communities, people will understand you more
and they will know exactly what's happening.
[soft piano music]
- It's really...really an interesting, challenging, intriguing role,
being a local counsellor.
You try and transform the counsel from being a closed-off body
to one that actually wants to listen and learn and become a better place
and become a... a positive place for local people.
And I think it's very important to be part of the change that you want to see in the world
and be involved from the inside,
and sit at the table to make decisions.
- Teachers play a crucial role in developing the next generation.
If you believe in children, and you nurture them the right way,
the sky's the limit for them.
- Growing up here, and contributing to the society,
to tell the people, you know, I'm more than what you see on TV.
As a Somali person, there is more into us,
you just need to give us a chance and - and listen.
[soft piano music]