This week’s #TOBcommunity spotlight is on Taimour Ahmed (He/Him), the founder of Expert By Experience - a volunteer-led anti-imperialist platform that creates a dialogue around mental health in South Asian communities.
What organisation(s) do you run or work for?
I’m the founder of Expert By Experience.
How do you / your organisation support and celebrate marginalised people?
Expert By Experience is a volunteer-led anti-imperialist platform that creates a dialogue around mental health in South Asian communities through an intersectional and critical lens. We support marginalised folks in South Asian communities through:
Monthly online peer-support groups
Research
Publishing (mainly written pieces & podcasts)
In a personal capacity, I also work as a Facilitator & Mental Health Consultant, partnering with amazing organisations like Taraki and Spark & Co. Recently I've just completed a big project supporting Spark & Co on informing a well-known charity on how to become an anti-racist organisation.
What can we expect from you in the coming months?
We are launching our first-ever research project that will explore the experiences of South Asian women when it comes to navigating personal finances and money more broadly. This research is being co-produced with Voices of Colour. Our motto is 'research for the communities by the communities'.
Similarly, we are also expanding our monthly online peer-support group so that we are able to serve South Asian Women. Historically, due to my expertise, our peer-support groups have been solely for South Asian men.
Our publishing will continue as per normal as we continue to generate more community funds to pay contributors.
What’s your secret superpower?
My secret power is yoga, it's what centres me every day! I practice every day for 1 hour and I am getting qualified through a 200-hour teacher training course presently. My aim with yoga is to go into Trauma-Informed Yoga for racialised communities, inshAllah.
Favourite quote that sums up your philosophy on life:
'Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair, but manifestations of strength and resolution.' - Khalil Gibran
Describe yourself in 3 words:
Goofy, Committed, Light-hearted
Where can people find you?
Facebook: @expertbyexperienceuk
Instagram: @expertbyexperienceuk
Twitter: @expertbyexp
The Other Box community, aka #TOBcommunity, is an intersectionally inclusive global community, where the voices and experiences of the most marginalised in society are prioritised. It’s a place where our members share opportunities, events, resources, and seek advice and support. Join us at www.facebook.com/groups/theotherbox