Our Team

From an early age, Ayaz has been driven by an unwavering passion for making a difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals, dedicating over 15 years to community and charity work. Collaborating with statutory services and VCFSE sector organisations, he has supported diverse communities, addressing the unique needs of those most in need.

Ayaz has led transformative projects that empower young people and adults from disadvantaged backgrounds, including refugees, asylum seekers, individuals with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups. By delivering tailored workshops and community initiatives, he has worked to improve mental wellbeing, promote social inclusion, and dismantle barriers to integration, promoting a sense of belonging and opportunity.

His dedication extends local boundaries, encompassing international aid and relief missions to war-torn regions, areas devastated by natural disasters, and communities grappling with pandemics or extreme poverty. These deeply humbling experiences have shaped his understanding of global challenges and reinforced his commitment to creating meaningful change for those affected by trauma and adversity.

With seven years of strategic leadership experience in health and social care across both the private and public sectors, Ayaz has specialised in commissioning, transformation and programme management. This professional expertise complements his passion for supporting communities, driving his mission to create lasting, positive impact in the lives of those he serves.

Irfaan is a Chartered Accountant based in London, specialising in assurance and risk management. His work includes performing operational and financial audits in the charity and not-for-profit sectors.

With over 15 years of experience in charity work, Irfaan has been actively involved both as a participant in fundraising activities and as a volunteer organising events to support various causes, both locally and globally. As a participant, he has completed numerous running challenges, including the monumental feat of running seven marathons in seven consecutive days, running from London to Bolton.

As a volunteer, Irfaan has contributed to organising fundraising events such as Kids Fun Runs, charity auctions, and bake sales. He has also played an integral role in the administration of a local charity, providing essential financial management and reporting expertise.

Moulana Safwaan grew up in a small Lancashire town and was fortunate to be part of a great community. Growing up, he has always wanted to give back to the local and international community that supported him and helped him reach where he is today.

Every little that is done may not feel like enough, but being part of a charity and organisation like the Connect Hub provides Moulana Safwaan with the opportunity to maximise the impact of those efforts.

Over the last few years, Moulana Safwaan has been fortunate to have had the opportunity to teach young adults and children voluntarily in after-school clubs.

Alongside this, he works as an optometrist, which allows him to engage with and help the community daily. He has also graduated from an Islamic jurisprudence and theology (Alimiyyah) course, through which he has engaged with local and international communities in various aspects, including spiritual, financial, and personal.

Maulana Zubair is a Founding Partner at Tuyoorul Jannah and a dedicated advocate for supporting vulnerable populations. After graduating as an alim from Darul Uloom Bury in 2005, he has devoted himself to serving his community, teaching in various settings and offering spiritual and practical guidance. Alongside his work with Tuyoorul Jannah, Maulana Zubair pursued social work, earning a BA in Social Work from UCLan in 2010.

With extensive experience in social care, Maulana Zubair has held key roles with Lancashire County Council, including Special Educational Needs & Disability Officer (SENDO) in the education department, a position within the Learning Disability & Autism team, and most recently in the Learning Disability, Autism, and Mental Health Transitions service. These roles highlight his commitment to supporting individuals through tailored services that promote inclusion and wellbeing.

His compassion extends globally, with significant work in Indonesia focused on alleviating poverty and uplifting disadvantaged communities. Locally and internationally, Maulana Zubair has worked tirelessly to support refugees, asylum seekers, orphans, and other vulnerable groups, making a lasting difference through his dedication and care.

Nazarana’s career began as a Teacher of Children, advancing into leadership roles at an academy known for its innovative curriculum and pioneering cutting-edge creative technologies. Throughout her journey, she remained deeply committed to helping young people thrive and unlock their full potential, guiding them through academic challenges and supporting their pursuit of knowledge.
Every day was an opportunity to inspire, challenge, and empower students. However, over time, she began to realise that while academic growth was crucial, there were other factors (emotional, social, and personal) that played an equally important role in a young person’s development. This realisation sparked a desire to make a more direct and holistic impact, and she transitioned into youth work.
In her current role at a local charity devoted to serving the community, she is able to support young people not just in their educational journey, but in all aspects of their growth. The projects that she leads on encompass empowerment initiatives, igniting curiosity and inspiring young individuals to take charge of their own futures.
Nazarana is passionate about helping young people discover their strengths, build confidence, and gain the skills and opportunities needed to contribute positively to their communities.
Through personal experiences and projects at The Connect Hub, Nazarana has seen the profound impact of small acts of kindness, fuelling her passion to help those in need. She founded a youth group focussed on charity work, which quickly became a platform for young people to make a positive impact locally and internationally through hands-on projects, fundraising, and community outreach.
Nazarana’s firm belief that every child, regardless of their background or circumstance, deserves the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe, supportive environment. This belief drives her advocacy for international youth hubs, promoting trauma-informed care, well-rounded education, and support systems to transform lives and communities.

For over a decade, Salma has been dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of asylum seekers and refugees in their local community. This journey began with a passion for empowering individuals to rebuild their lives with strength, dignity, and an understanding of their lived experiences to foster healing and growth. They are a strong advocate for providing the right resources, signposting, and collaborating with partners to aid the integration process, focusing on the needs, cultural, and faith backgrounds of the individuals they work with. Only through this approach can they truly help individuals find a sense of belonging in their new home country.

Salma has worked with the asylum and refugee community both locally and internationally, in professional roles as a qualified Counsellor and as a dedicated volunteer. Over the past 10 years, they have been actively involved in fundraising and aid work to support those in need, witnessing firsthand the profound impact of combining compassion with action to make a difference in people’s lives.
Currently, Salma serves as the Health and Wellbeing Manager at IMO Charity. This role allows them to combine their skills, experience, and personal passion to bring about meaningful change to the emotional and physical wellbeing of the clients they work with.

Faith and family are at the heart of everything Salma does. A proud parent of three children, together they share a deep love for giving back. As a family, they find inner peace, fulfilment, and purpose in working together to support and uplift others.

Mohamed-Tayyab currently works as a Primary School teacher for one of the leading educational trusts in the UK. He has many reasons for joining this charity, driven by a deep passion for helping others, both locally and, hopefully, globally. His experiences have shown him the power of stepping outside his comfort zone to truly understand the diverse needs of people.

His past work with a local community club, Haliwell Youth Forum, and his current role as a primary school teacher have provided him with opportunities to engage with young people, offering them the support and guidance they need to thrive.

Mohamed-Tayyab’s motivation extends beyond his immediate community. He has sought to broaden his perspective by traveling, connecting with individuals from various backgrounds, and learning from their experiences. These global insights have enriched his teaching and community involvement, bringing a wider understanding and empathy to his work.

Mohamed-Tayyab believes that supporting people – whether in his classroom, local community, or beyond—is about empowering them to reach their fullest potential, and that’s what drives him every day.