Razia Shaikh-Patel

Turning Struggles into Strengths & Pain into Purpose

The TEDxTrafford talk addresses giving a voice to those whose struggles are hidden in plain sight.” The talk explores how honouring where we come from both the struggles and the strengths can transform adversity into empowerment. Because when we are grounded in our past, we grow into our true power. Razia is the Founder and Director of WETA Community Services CIC, a grassroots organisation dedicated to engaging, educating, and empowering women from diverse backgrounds. My professional journey began as a science teacher in India and carried on in London in 2007, but moving to Manchester in 2009— and later working as a key worker with The Big Life Group — connected me deeply to the realities of migrant communities. I witnessed language barriers, cultural shock, family pressures, and unconscious bias shaping people’s lives. Drawing on my qualifications in education, sociology, and Islamic psychology, I integrate cultural sensitivity into all my work, ensuring support is meaningful and relevant. In six years, WETA has engaged hundreds of families, challenged stigma, reduced inequalities, and built resilience. My mission is to honour our roots while empowering communities to rise. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx