Professor Anya Ahmed
Professor Anya Ahmed is Voluntary Chair of the Board of Trustees at SASCA. Anya is of dual Somali/British heritage, with her father originating from Burao.
In her role as Chair Anya has overall responsibility for ensuring governance oversight. She also ensures that SASCA fulfils its aims to serve the Somali community; is legally compliant and meets the Charity Commission’s requirements.
Anya is a social science academic with a career spanning almost 30 years during which she has led several research studies focusing on social inequalities. She has conducted research which addresses the experiences of Somali communities in the UK and Europe.
Dr Lorna Chesterton
Lorna is a trustee and secretary for SASCA. Her responsibilities have been to write and review all policies and procedures to ensure that SASCA operates safely, fairly and is inclusive for all clients and staff.
Lorna has worked closely with Roger BySouth to raise funding for SASCA to enable them to carry out their essential work. Their fundraising has led to the development of a mental health service, outreach service and most recently the appointment of a full-time office manager.
Lorna’s background is in nursing and she continues to work on several projects around improving education, patient safety and health. As a Research Fellow, her work remains centred on social inequalities, specifically on improving access to health, social care and research for under-served communities.
Ahmed Mohamed
Ahmed Mohamed is a dynamic and enthusiastic individual with a strong passion for helping others.
He serves as a Trustee and Treasurer for the Somali Adult Social Care Agency (SASCA) and has been the coordinator for the past five years.
Additionally, he is one of the editors of SASCA News, a bilingual (Somali and English) newspaper published in Manchester, UK.
Ahmed has also participated in research to identify the needs and challenges of the Somali community in Manchester, including a recent study on Somali carers, in which he was the lead researcher.
His daily responsibilities include:
- Supporting the planning and coordination of daily activities
- Maintaining the budget and managing expenditures
- Consulting with staff members and external partners
- Interpreting and translating
- Keeping records and preparing proposals
- Acting as a cultural mediator and assisting refugees
Before joining SASCA, Ahmed worked as the vice manager of one of the largest telecommunications companies in Somalia and spent 10 years in the banking sector.
Roger Bysouth
Roger has been co-opted onto SASCA’s Board, bringing with him over 45 years of extensive experience in the voluntary sector across both London and Manchester. Throughout his career, Roger has worked in various capacities, developing a deep expertise in organizational development, particularly in writing successful bids to secure funding.
He spent 14 years working for Manchester City Council, where his primary role involved collaborating with voluntary organizations to enhance services for local communities. His commitment to improving the lives of local residents has been a hallmark of his career.
Roger began working with SASCA in 2012 and has since been an invaluable asset, contributing to the organization’s development and sustainability. His close proximity to SASCA’s office, just a short bike ride away, ensures his continued hands-on involvement.
Mohamed Egeh
Mohamed Egeh has been a key figure at SASCA since its inception in 2007, serving as Trustee, Director, Company Secretary, and Deputy Chairperson. Mohamed played a pivotal role in uniting Somali community groups in Manchester, overcoming regional and tribal divides to support all Somalis, particularly those with disabilities.
With a background in both Manchester University and MMU, Mohamed has dedicated his career to community service. Prior to SASCA, he worked as an interpreter and at the Windrush Centre, and later founded the International Disabled Society, which focused on helping disabled refugees from the Middle East and Africa integrate into Greater Manchester.
Despite ongoing health challenges, Mohamed remains a prominent advocate for community cohesion, integration, and support for disabled individuals, continuing to promote unity and inclusivity across the region.
Mahadi is the Manager of SASCA and arrived in the UK as an unaccompanied child refugee from Somalia.
He holds a degree in Politics and International Relations from the University of Salford. With extensive experience, including his previous role as a Youth Worker and his current position as a Councillor in Moss Side, Mahadi ensures the smooth running of SASCA’s daily operations.
His responsibilities include:
- Ensuring SASCA remains a user-led organisation.
- Managing staff and volunteers
- Leading SASCA’s strategic vision
- Representing the charity in external engagements
- Overseeing marketing and communications
Abdinasir Sugulle
Abdinassir is a dedicated and vibrant individual with a fervent commitment to assisting others.
With a background in electrical engineering, he for the last 10 years works as an advisor at the Somali Adult Social Care Agency (SASCA).
He is fluent in Somali, Arabic, and English. He focuses extensively on immigration and nationality support, access to healthcare, and support against racial hatred and discrimination.
In addition to his advisory role, Abdinassir is deeply involved in youth engagement, volunteering his time to mentor young people and support them in areas such as sports and safeguarding. Known for his integrity and strong work ethic, Abdinassir is a family man who balances his professional and personal responsibilities with great dedication.
Abdinassir assists service users with:
- Immigration and nationality support
- Support against racial hatred and discrimination
- Access to healthcare
- New benefits claims
- In-work and out-of-work benefits
- Council tax help
- Debt relief assistance
- Consumer agreement support (utility bills, etc.)
- Access to education
- Housing solutions and advocacy for tenant rights
Abdullahi Mohammed
Abdullahi Mohammed is a hardworking and trustworthy individual with a background in mathematics. Serving as an advisor at the Somali Adult Social Care Agency (SASCA) for almost two years, Abdullahi assists service users with various needs.
Fluent in Somali, Arabic, and English, Abdullahi primarily supports Arabic-speaking service users. He focuses extensively on in-work and out-of-work benefits, access to education, and housing solutions and advocacy for tenant rights.
Known for his commitment to helping others and his strong moral character, Abdullahi is a family-oriented individual who balances his professional duties with his personal life, ensuring he provides the best support possible to those in need.
Abdullahi assists service users with:
- In-work and out-of-work benefits
- Access to education
- Housing solutions and advocacy for tenant rights
- New benefits claims
- Council tax help
- Debt relief assistance
- Immigration and nationality support
- Consumer agreement support (utility bills, etc.)
- Access to healthcare
- Support against racial hatred and discrimination
Mawlid Magan
Mawlid is a diligent and dependable individual passionately devoted to supporting others. As an advisor who was actively working at the Somali Adult Social Care Agency (SASCA) for 12 years, he assists service users with various needs.
Known for his honesty and tireless work ethic, Mawlid is a family man who balances his responsibilities with dedication and integrity. He consistently strives to provide the best possible support to the community members he serves.
Mawlid focuses primarily on immigration and nationality support, debt relief assistance, council tax help, and new benefits claims.
Mawlid assists service users with:
- Debt relief assistance
- Council tax help
- New benefits claims
- Immigration and nationality support
- In-work and out-of-work benefits
- Consumer agreement support (utility bills, etc.)
- Access to healthcare
- Support against racial hatred and discrimination
- Housing solutions and advocacy for tenant rights
- Access to education
Suad Abubakar Hassan
Suad is an accomplished and dedicated professional who is working at the SASCA for over a year.
With a background in economics and IT service desk management, she is known for her excellent interpersonal and communication skills, strong problem-solving abilities, and commitment to delivering exceptional service to the community.
In her capacity as Admin and Finance Officer, Suad is responsible for maintaining day-to-day financial processes and procedures, including devising and maintains service users and contacts databases, provides administrative support for other staff, and handles reception duties when required. Suad also plays a crucial role as the Outreach Program Coordinator at SASCA, where she offers personalized support for vulnerable service users, coordinates outreach activities, and monitors service delivery. She facilitates interpretation services to ensure that all community members receive the assistance they need.
Roda Segule
Roda is an integrative counsellor dedicated to supporting the local community with various mental health issues. Her service, now in its second year, is open to individuals over 18 and provides comprehensive mental health support.
Roda specializes in assisting parents who face cultural barriers in connecting with their children. She welcomes parents who need mental support, offering them tools to better understand and support their children. Her services are inclusive, accommodating individuals over 18, and are particularly beneficial for those dealing with mental illness who may not speak English as their first language.
Roda’s commitment to mental health is evident in her inclusive approach, ensuring that anyone in need of support can access the necessary resources to improve their well-being and strengthen their family connections.