NHS health worker wins prestigious Yorkshire young achiever awards

NHS health worker wins prestigious Yorkshire young achiever awards

NHS worker Huma Malik, who volunteered during the pandemic despite her own serious long-term health problems, is this year’s Yorkshire Asian Young Achiever of the Year.

The 27-year-old, who lives in Bradford and is employed by NHS Leeds CCG as an Engagement Officer, was one of 11 winners at the awards, dubbed “The YAYAs,” which were announced before an audience of more than 300 guests at the Cedar Court Hotel, Bradford, and broadcast live on the internet [on Thursday, November 4].

Huma, who is of Pakistani background, won the Achievement in the Public Sector category, sponsored by Leeds City Council, and was overall winner of the Yorkshire Asian Young Achiever of the Year 2021 title, sponsored by York St John University.

Huma’s role as an engagement officer involves reaching out to communities to help improve health outcomes. She is also a long-standing volunteer for NHS Bradford’s People’s Board.

Despite Huma’s long term health conditions – she regularly attends hospital appointments for blood transfusions and treatments  – she runs the social enterprise Music Talkz, providing music workshops for young people and tackling mental health issues through creativity.

Huma supported young carers as a volunteer and, during the pandemic, volunteered virtually with Leaders Unlocked, promoting youth voice in Health and Mental Health for young people. She is a trained WRAP facilitator and worked with Barnardo’s in Bradford.

Her health problems and the pandemic meant she was unable to attend the awards in person but she received her award from Rob Hickey, chief operating officer of main sponsors York St John University, shortly before the event.

In a brief video shown to the audience she said: “I’m sorry I can’t be there in person due to the pandemic and my extra vulnerabilities but I’d like to thank York St John University for sponsoring this award and to thank QED for giving young people a platform. Thank you very much for this honour.”

Other winners include Bradford actor, Aqib Khan, who played Sajid in ‘West is West’ and is currently in the BBC One comedy, Ladhood. Aqib, who is of Pakistani background, won the Arts & Creative category. Winner of the ‘Overcoming Life Obstacles’ category is 23-year-old Leeds blogger, Sonia Hunjan. Sonia, who is of Indian background, started ‘The Blind Reader’ after being diagnosed with the serious degenerative eye condition, retinitis pigmentosa.

Categories: Health