Management
CEO: Ansa E Ahmed
Founder, Consultant, Counsellor, Supervisor, Trainer, Facilitator, Public Speaker, Business woman, and Mother..
Director / Co-Founder: Katie Popple
My involvement with HOPE Bereavement Support began at the very beginning when I met Ansa on a volunteer Breastfeeding Peer Supporter course in May 2013 in the hope of helping other mothers after I experienced a lack of support following the birth of my eldest son in 2011. Unfortunately whilst completing the programme I suffered a miscarriage and it was through discussing this that Ansa shared her story and ambition to create a service for women and their families who had sadly experienced child loss.
The process of miscarriage is a lonely one – it’s a taboo subject, with many people simply not knowing what to say for the best so usually say nothing. For that woman the miscarriage cruelly ended any dreams and plans that she envisioned as soon as that second blue line appeared on that test – she wants to talk about that baby because no matter what stage of pregnancy the loss occurred, it still existed! I didn’t want any other woman to feel that level of loneliness due to the lack of support services available, hence my quest to help Ansa succeed in her mission from that point on.
I have been employed by the NHS for a number of years and have experience across a number of trusts in a variety of roles from line-managing administration teams to taking Mental Health Act referrals.
Counsellors and Coaches
Stephen Paul
What you are experiencing is quite normal and no, there is no reason why you should have “got over” it by now. I earned my qualification by volunteering as a bereavement counsellor and heard many people asking these questions. It’s perfectly normal to feel “stuck” in bereavement and unable to move on while others around you seemingly do. Over the years I have helped many people wrestle with bereavement issues complicated by family, work, self-esteem and many other concerns. I believe I can help you too.
After a few years working away from bereavement I have volunteered to help HOPE Bereavement Support for many reasons including wishing to return to the area I know best. Chief among them though is the energy, vision, and enthusiasm for helping people that I see the team display on a daily basis. If you have any doubts about it then please rest assured that HOPE wants to help, are willing to help, and can help you. I look forward to meeting you soon.
Zahir
Zahir has worked in mental health for 15 years across different voluntary and statutory organisations including NHS Community Mental Health Team, Mind, Alzheimer’s Society and Ihsaan. He is a Volunteer Person Centred Counsellor for HOPE Bereavement Support. He is a qualified Urdu Interpreter and speaks Gujarati and some Punjabi.
Farzana Noor
My name is Farzana Noor. I am an Integrative Counsellor and I joined HOPE as I would like to support people who have been bereaved due to Covid 19. HOPE is doing fantastic work reaching out to people who have been affected and I would like to be involved in this initiative.
Ibtissem
I am a qualified Integrative Counsellor with a First Class, Honours Degree in Psychology. I am a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), therefore I abide by the BACP’ Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions. I believe that my degree in Psychology (accredited by the BPS) as well as my Diploma in Integrative therapeutic counselling (accredited by the BACP) have offered me an excellent knowledge of therapeutic interventions and theories. Similarly, I am trained to work with spiritual models such as the Islamic model of counselling. I believe that my ability to utilise and understand different modalities such as the Humanistic, Psychodynamic and Cognitive-Behavioural approaches to therapy have empowered me to work successfully with a range of various presenting issues and adapt to the client’s needs. The issues that I have worked with and I am currently still working with are; eating disorders, marital issues, depression, spiritual issues, relationship including intimacy/sexual issues, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, bereavement and grieve. I joined HOPE Bereavement Support Group to be able to extend my support to the community and to offer emotional support to distressed individuals during their challenging time
Shahista Suleman
Hi, I am Shahista Suleman and I am a Neuro-Linguist therapist after having gained special in-depth training from Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). I have a Bsc degree in Psychology and I have over a decade worth of experience within the leading Leeds Respiratory team and it’s palliative patients. I integrate my Psychological knowledge and apply it to NLP principles to provide my therapeutic services. My vision to become a therapist stems from my passion in understanding what makes each of us unique individuals.
I chose to be part of the HOPE team because bereavement is an inevitable part of every life and a part which can be extremely emotional. I view the opportunity to help individuals through their difficult times as overwhelmingly humbling.
Hajera Belaribi
My name is Hajera Belaribi I am an integrative counselling psychotherapist. I qualified last year and currently setting up own counselling business of Palm Leaf counselling.
I joined HOPE bereavement services for many reasons; the most important being the strong ties it has and is building the community with compassion and excellent team work. This is of immense value one which I would like to promote further.
Paulette Morgan
Paulette Morgan is a Life Coach (member of ICF), Relationship Coach, Speaker, and Mentor. She has a passion for helping people overcome challenges to blossom into their best selves.
Befrienders/Volunteers
Sophia Ahmed
I qualified with a Bsc In Computer Science in 2003 and worked in IT following that for 10 years. Over the years I realised my personality natural inclines towards helping people with their emotional needs whether they need help or are hurt, upset or have gone through any kind of loss or trauma and eventually realised counselling would be a better field for me which I would naturally fit into and find more enjoyable and rewarding.
I met the founder of HOPE bereavement support Ansa Ahmed 15 years ago in a mutual workplace.We became really good friends, clicked naturally and have known each other ever since. Ansa like me discovered counselling would be a better field for again down to her natural personality and retrained as a counsellor. Prior to this she decided to start HOPE bereavement support. This group required all sorts of people to fill different roles. When she told me of the ability to help and assist in ways which would allow me to start gaining experience and training towards my future wish to retrain as a counsellor I saw it as a perfect opportunity combined with a feeling of satisfaction of being able to help people in need, a place I could apply my natural personality.
As a result my current role is that of a befriender, I assist in the Bradford HOPE bereavement support group which means I’m there to meet and greet people and assist counsellors in any way possible and even clients in any way possible. I’d love to gain more and more experience with an aim to in future be able to train as a counsellor myself.
Amber
My name is Ambar Ayub and I am an aspiring counsellor who is a very positive and motivated individual who enjoys encouraging and empowering individuals. I have studied my undergraduate degree in Psychology and counselling and I currently work for Bradford counselling services doing initial assessments which I have been working with them over two years. In addition, I am qualified as a youth worker working with groups and doing 1 to 1 sessions with young people that face many struggles, I have worked in many different settings with diverse individuals that face many different physical and mental health challenges. Hope bereavement support is a great service that is needed in the society which is why I was drawn towards the service as I have had a loss in my life. It is an honour to be a part of this group.
Zeenat
Zeenat is part of the counselling and assessment team and has extensive experience with the Calderdale Trust Hospital and working with BAME communities during difficult and emotional times.
Anjani
Psychologist student wanting to volunteer in a counselling environment to help people with their mental health.
Saffa
Student counsellor and part of the assessment counsellors and assessment team. Saffa is enthusiastic about helping people along their healing journey of mental health and wellbeing.
Tasneem
Tasneem is a passionate supporter of Hope Bereavement Support.
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