Our Team
Our Director
Hawa Abdi is the dedicated Co-Founder and Director of the Centre of Excellence, bringing over a decade of experience in social care and a deep commitment to supporting young people. Hawa has led community programmes focused on education, mental health support and employment. Her work is rooted in lived experience and a belief that every young person should have access to opportunities and support.
Under her leadership, the Centre of Excellence has developed into a community hub delivering programmes including Changemakers, which supports young people through activities, mentoring and development opportunities. Hawa has also built strong relationships with local organisations, authorities and families, helping ensure that community needs remain central to the Centre’s work.
In 2023, Hawa was recognised as one of Barnet’s most inspiring women and girls for her contributions to community and culture and was a runner-up in the council-led awards programme. She also spoke at Barnet Wellbeing’s Closing the Care Gap event, supporting community-led approaches to making healthcare more inclusive and accessible.
In 2025, Hawa was also recognised through the Notting Hill Genesis Residents Awards and the G15 Community Awards, winning in the category of Outstanding Contribution by a Community Champion Delivering Projects Supporting Diversity. In recognition of her continued contribution to the local community, Barnet also nominated Hawa to attend an afternoon tea event at Buckingham Palace.
Our Team
Meet the people who lead, deliver and support the work of Centre of Excellence across Grahame Park and the wider community.
Zeynab | Health Ambassador
Zeynab is Centre of Excellence’s Health Ambassador and a trusted point of contact for many residents. She supports visitors with a range of issues, including housing, advocacy and accessing services, particularly where language barriers make this more difficult.
She also plays an active role in our Mother & Daughter programme, leading discussions on topics including cancer awareness, women’s health and faith. Her role combines practical support with health awareness and community engagement.
Mohamed Ali | Designated Safeguarding Lead
Mohamed is Centre of Excellence’s Designated Safeguarding Lead, responsible for supporting the safety and wellbeing of everyone who engages with our services and programmes.
He oversees safeguarding procedures, provides guidance to staff and volunteers, and acts as a point of contact when concerns arise. His role helps ensure that safeguarding remains a clear part of how the Centre operates.
Omar Abdulle | Operations & Events Lead
Omar has been part of Centre of Excellence from its early stages and has dedicated a significant amount of his time to supporting the organisation’s day-to-day work and development.
He oversees events and activities across the Centre, while also taking a hands-on role in their planning, preparation and delivery. From supporting the office and maintaining the space to helping wherever needed during programmes and community events, Omar works across many different areas of the organisation.
Mustafa Omar | Finance & Operations Support
Mustafa is a long-standing volunteer who supports both the day-to-day running of Centre of Excellence and its wider community activities.
Alongside helping with events, workshops and general operations, he also supports the Centre’s financial administration, including budgeting, tracking expenditure and organising financial information. His role combines practical operational support with behind-the-scenes administration.
Ahmed Nuur | IT Lead & Football Coach
Ahmed supports Centre of Excellence with its IT systems, digital equipment and online platforms. He helps keep the Centre’s technology running effectively and supports staff and volunteers with day-to-day technical issues.
Alongside his IT role, Ahmed is an active member of the Grahame Park FC team and works as one of the programme’s football coaches. He supports the delivery of weekly sessions, working directly with young people and helping provide structured and positive sporting activities.
How we work together
Our team works across different areas of the Centre, including advocacy, health, safeguarding, IT, finance, sport, events and day-to-day operations. Although each person has a specific role, much of our work is collaborative, with staff and volunteers supporting programmes and activities across the organisation.
This means team members regularly support one another across different areas of work, helping to keep programmes, events and daily activities running smoothly. By working together, we are able to combine different skills and experience while keeping the Centre’s work connected and organised.
Quote from Our Director
