by Bilal Luqmaan
I am currently employed as a development Worker at BCAT.
I am of dual heritage and my family and I are from Burngreave. To me, life as a child raised in Burngreave was a hard one and experiences of poverty and social deprivation a true reality for me. I was one of the lucky ones, leaving school in 1998 I began work as a bricklayer for Sheffield City Council. My career change has been to concentrate on work in the community sector.
My first post in the community sector was working voluntarily at a Housing Advice Project in Nether Edge. I spotted an advert for a Learning Assistant at the Burngreave Community Learning Campaign and worked there for two years. I believe I’ve learned my trade as a Development Worker in Burngreave and enjoyed my time and learned much about the politics and diversity of our community.
In January 2005, I applied for the post as Development Worker for BCAT, and was successful in obtaining it. I am now very keen to be part of the process of change in the area, as Burngreave has always been close to my heart. I feel the need to become a great example and role model in and around the community of Burngreave. I feel that changes are being made and the view of many residents in the community is supporting BCAT and BCAF spearheading many of those changes – this encouraged me to apply for the post at BCAT.
I hope to contribute to the regeneration of Burngreave and be remembered as one who helped with those changes.