Earlier this year, Assadaqaat Community Finance (ACF) was welcomed to the House of Lords by Lord Kamall of Edmonton for a special event to showcase our work and highlight the power of inclusive entrepreneurship. The gathering brought together policymakers, partners, and supporters to hear directly from those most impacted by our programmes — our beneficiaries.

Stories of resilience and enterprise

Three of our beneficiaries, Aaira Faye, Parisa Sherazi, and Fiona Jones, movingly shared their personal journeys.

Aaira Faye spoke about the setbacks she faced in trying to start her wellness and beauty business, Aaria’s Secret, and how these challenges almost caused her to give up on her dream. Through ACF, she found the confidence and practical tools to move forward. Reflecting on her journey, she shared: “This journey has taught me that business isn’t just about only selling. It’s about support, belief, and community. It’s about opening doors that were once closed and giving people like me a real chance.”

Parisa Shirazi described the sense of creativity and belonging she found during the Women’s Entrepreneurship Programme. She spoke of how being surrounded by other women with the same goal gave her motivation and energy: “Every week we had interesting tasks, and some took more than a week to finish! I was with other women entrepreneurs who had the same goal. That gave me energy.” With ACF’s support, Parisa is now shaping her dream of opening a cafe with renewed determination, and has gained both skills and confidence to keep moving forward.

Fiona Jones shared her journey of resilience in the face of chronic illness. After two decades of service in the NHS, endometriosis left her unable to continue working. She described this time as one that “left me broken”. Discovering holistic therapies gave her hope, and through ACF’s Women’s Entrepreneurship Programme, she found the courage to turn that hope into action. “In the very first handout we got on week 1 it said: ‘Entrepreneurs are defined by their actions.’ So here I am. I’ve never spoken in public before, but I feel empowered to do so today.” Fiona is now developing a mobile holistic therapy service to reach those facing mobility challenges or anxiety.

Together, their testimonies highlighted the courage, creativity, and determination of our community, and the vital role of inclusive finance and support in unlocking it.

A voice of support

The event also welcomed Penny Lock, Director of Partnerships at Chambers Wales, who expressed her support for ACF’s work:

“The work ACF does aligns directly with the goals of the Well-being of Future Generations Act. By giving people the financial tools to take control of their lives, ACF is contributing to a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. This is the type of forward-thinking, collaborative approach we need to address the challenges of inequality and exclusion.”

Looking ahead

For us at ACF, this event was an important opportunity to demonstrate the power of inclusive entrepreneurship in one of the UK’s most iconic settings. By sharing the stories of our beneficiaries, we reminded policymakers and partners that entrepreneurship is as much about people, confidence, dignity, and opportunity as it is about business growth.
We will continue to build on this momentum, expanding our partnerships and programmes to ensure more individuals can access the tools, finance, and support they need to thrive.