Youth Council​

We do not view young people simply as service users; they are the experts of their own experiences. This is why our Youth Council sits strategically alongside our board of directors.

Hassan Zulifiqar

My name is Hassan, and I'm part of the UCP Youth Council. A little bit about myself: I’m 24, recently graduated from university where I now have a job as a Graduate Project Engineer alhamdulillah, and in my spare time I like to hike and play video games!

Within my role as part of the Youth Council, I am mostly involved in our Youth Development Project where I help organise and facilitate events for our young people. I decided to join the Youth Council to be more involved with UCP as I value the work that they are doing in creating a safe space where individuals and families can navigate their problems. I hope I can make a difference in the community by offering an ear to listen, and to share my own lived experiences to help people feel less alone in their struggles.

Zainab Haque

I’m Zainab and I’m a member of UCPs youth council within the mental health team! I am a final-year psychology undergraduate at the University of Glasgow with a background in inclusivity development and crisis intervention. Urban Community Projects values therefore mirrored my own, and it was a no-brainer to join the youth council. I’ve been working in a team at UCP to build and deliver a student support group at universities, with workshops that have been starting important conversations and reflection.

I have a real love of bringing people together and have seen first-hand the impact that a sense of belonging and wellbeing support can have. I’m excited to see UCP grow and contribute to its development as it continues to support our local BAME communities.

Faizah Hafeez

My name is Faith and I have regularly been involved in my community, contributing to a range of different projects and initiatives. At the Urban Community Project (UCP), I am a member of the Youth Council and have been actively involved with the youth group, supporting the delivery of sessions and building strong, positive relationships with young people. Alongside my community involvement, I work within the clinical trials sector.

I care deeply about making a positive difference and believe that meaningful change often starts with small actions. I believe that young people play a vital role in our community, and I am passionate about UCP's mission to uplift and empower young people by creating a safe, supportive space where they can grow, connect, and thrive.

Rohail Jahan-Zeb

My name is Rohail and I am currently working as a Finance Graduate and have over four years of experience supporting charitable and community initiatives.

As part of the fundraising team and Chair of the Youth Council, I help create youth spaces that encourage reflection, connection, and personal growth, while keeping faith at the heart of what we do. I was also part of the team that worked to improve access to knowledge, support, and opportunities for university students. I am passionate about supporting young people and families as they navigate both the challenges of everyday life and more difficult circumstances. I am committed to helping create opportunities, build resilience, and make a positive difference within the community.

Safa Shoket

My name is Safa and I am currently working in early years and have experience working with people across all age groups. I began my career in early years as a Child Development Officer before moving into youth work, supporting high school-aged children with learning difficulties, behavioural challenges, and additional support needs. It was through this role that I discovered my passion for youth work. I became a Youth Lead at Urban Community Project (UCP) and now a part of the Youth Council, this organisation has been a significant part of my journey. I first joined UCP as a participant and later progressed into leading projects and programmes, allowing me to give back to the community that supported me.

Following this, I worked as a Mental Health Practitioner, supporting adults with their mental health and wellbeing. I have now returned to working in early years, supporting children, families, and the wider community, where I feel my experience across different sectors comes together. Alongside my professional career, I have continued to develop my skills through further study. I have completed COSCA Counselling Skills training, which has strengthened my ability to support others, and I am currently learning British Sign Language (BSL) to make my practice more inclusive and accessible.

Maleeha Malik

I am currently training to become a qualified counsellor, building on my background in psychology and mental health. Alongside my studies, I work within the healthcare sector as a Mental Health Support Worker. I am also part of the Mental Health Team within the Youth Council.

Growing up, there were times when I felt that mainstream services did not fully understand or meet the needs of people from my background. Those experiences have strengthened my commitment to helping create spaces where young people feel seen, heard, and understood. I believe every young person deserves access to support that is culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, and genuinely inclusive. Being part of the Youth Council gives me the opportunity to contribute to bringing these kinds of services to our community. I hope to use both my professional knowledge and lived experience to help shape support that reflects the diverse needs of young people and ensures they feel valued and understood

My name is Hassan, and I'm part of the UCP Youth Council. A little bit about myself: I’m 24, recently graduated from university where I now have a job as a Graduate Project Engineer alhamdulillah, and in my spare time I like to hike and play video games!

Within my role as part of the Youth Council, I am mostly involved in our Youth Development Project where I help organise and facilitate events for our young people. I decided to join the Youth Council to be more involved with UCP as I value the work that they are doing in creating a safe space where individuals and families can navigate their problems. I hope I can make a difference in the community by offering an ear to listen, and to share my own lived experiences to help people feel less alone in their struggles.

Hassan Zulifiqar

I’m Zainab and I’m a member of UCPs youth council within the mental health team! I am a final-year psychology undergraduate at the University of Glasgow with a background in inclusivity development and crisis intervention. Urban Community Projects values therefore mirrored my own, and it was a no-brainer to join the youth council.

I’ve been working in a team at UCP to build and deliver a student support group at universities, with workshops that have been starting important conversations and reflection. I have a real love of bringing people together and have seen first-hand the impact that a sense of belonging and wellbeing support can have. I’m excited to see UCP grow and contribute to its development as it continues to support our local BAME communities.

Zainab Haque

My name is Safa and I am currently working in early years and have experience working with people across all age groups. I began my career in early years as a Child Development Officer before moving into youth work, supporting high school-aged children with learning difficulties, behavioural challenges, and additional support needs.

It was through this role that I discovered my passion for youth work. I became a Youth Lead at Urban Community Project (UCP) and now a part of the Youth Council, this organisation has been a significant part of my journey. I first joined UCP as a participant and later progressed into leading projects and programmes, allowing me to give back to the community that supported me. Following this, I worked as a Mental Health Practitioner, supporting adults with their mental health and wellbeing. I have now returned to working in early years, supporting children, families, and the wider community, where I feel my experience across different sectors comes together. Alongside my professional career, I have continued to develop my skills through further study. I have completed COSCA Counselling Skills training, which has strengthened my ability to support others, and I am currently learning British Sign Language (BSL) to make my practice more inclusive and accessible.

Safa Shoket

I am currently training to become a qualified counsellor, building on my background in psychology and mental health. Alongside my studies, I work within the healthcare sector as a Mental Health Support Worker. I am also part of the Mental Health Team within the Youth Council.

Growing up, there were times when I felt that mainstream services did not fully understand or meet the needs of people from my background. Those experiences have strengthened my commitment to helping create spaces where young people feel seen, heard, and understood. I believe every young person deserves access to support that is culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, and genuinely inclusive. Being part of the Youth Council gives me the opportunity to contribute to bringing these kinds of services to our community. I hope to use both my professional knowledge and lived experience to help shape support that reflects the diverse needs of young people and ensures they feel valued and understood

Maleeha Malik

My name is Faith and I have regularly been involved in my community, contributing to a range of different projects and initiatives. At the Urban Community Project (UCP), I am a member of the Youth Council and have been actively involved with the youth group, supporting the delivery of sessions and building strong, positive relationships with young people. Alongside my community involvement, I work within the clinical trials sector.

I care deeply about making a positive difference and believe that meaningful change often starts with small actions. I believe that young people play a vital role in our community, and I am passionate about UCP's mission to uplift and empower young people by creating a safe, supportive space where they can grow, connect, and thrive.

Faizah Hafeez

My name is Rohail and I am currently working as a Finance Graduate and have over four years of experience supporting charitable and community initiatives.

As part of the fundraising team and Chair of the Youth Council, I help create youth spaces that encourage reflection, connection, and personal growth, while keeping faith at the heart of what we do. I was also part of the team that worked to improve access to knowledge, support, and opportunities for university students. I am passionate about supporting young people and families as they navigate both the challenges of everyday life and more difficult circumstances. I am committed to helping create opportunities, build resilience, and make a positive difference within the community.

Rohail Jahan-Zeb