Razia Shamim, as the Women’s Wing Coordinator at the Multicultural Resource Centre, brings over 30 years of invaluable community service experience in Rochdale. Her leadership journey began with the Rochdale Asian Ladies Group, which she successfully ran under Age Concern for over two decades. When funding was withdrawn and the group faced closure, Razia’s unwavering commitment to the women of Rochdale drove her to personally relaunch the initiative as the Pakeeza Ladies Group. Running it on a voluntary basis, she continues to offer essential services like social gatherings, exercise sessions, and community engagement, ensuring that women from across the borough still have a place to connect, grow, and support one another.

Her dedication to empowering women across Rochdale is evident in the strong following the group maintains, with women from diverse areas such as Spotland, Wardle, Smallbridge, Littleborough, Norden, and Bamford. Through Pakeeza Ladies Group, she fosters a space where women can meet, share experiences, and gain emotional and physical support.

In addition to her work with Pakeeza, Razia serves as a key figure at the Multicultural Resource Centre, where her role as the Women’s Wing Coordinator allows her to expand her impact. Here, she supports a wider network of women, ensuring that cultural, social, and educational resources are accessible to all. Razia’s tireless efforts were formally recognized when she was awarded an MBE in 1998 for her remarkable services to housing and community relations, a testament to her lifelong dedication to community welfare.