Shazia Noor: Empowering others to get fit for life

THERE are many different ways of saving people's lives, and for ten years mother-of-three, Shazia Noor, creator of Nur Fitness, has made it her aim to empower women of all cultural backgrounds to change and improve their circumstances.

Winner of countless awards, Shazia is brimming with compassion and enthusiasm, and is a staunch advocate for shattering the stigma of poor mental health, all while helping women to improve their general health and fitness. She encourages them to open up about their mental wellbeing, and has links with many organisations who help her run classes, including raising awareness of and possible prevention of diabetes and cancer, as well as encouraging fitness and time spent in the great outdoors.

"We help many refugees and asylum seekers; people who have fled war-torn countries," says Shazia, from Teesside. "I am from Pakistan where women are expected to marry and have children. Many come to us with no qualifications, and a lack of confidence, and we help bring out their skills and talents. Some have mental health issues, and come from countries where it is taboo to talk about this, and we encourage them to be open about any issues they may have. Depression hides what is underneath people. We deliver accredited courses, with skilled providers, highlighting opportunities for women to work. If they can't or are not allowed to go out to work, we encourage them to do it from home."

One woman, Sabrina Din, was so grateful to Shazia and her team for helping her, that she left her job and, with her husband, opened five nurseries in Teesside, giving Shazia a space above one of them in order to develop her business.

Another, Saima Ibrar, who was a tailor in her country of birth, did a Nur fitness and mental health course and also wanted to help Shazia, who had supported her in her English and maths tuition. Saima is now a fully qualified tutor running seven classes a week for Nur Fitness.

"I never went to school or college in the UK," she says. " I love that I can share my skills with so many and I can't believe I am a sewing tutor. If Nur had not encouraged me, I would still be a stay-at-home mum."

Shazia says Middlesbrough Community Learning, and Learning Curves support Nur Fitness as educational providers. " We educate people in the ways of this country, and break it all down in the Asian way, so it is understood," she adds. "There is no time-keeping or safe-guarding in Pakistan, so different from here. It gives everyone more confidence if they understand the culture and rules of this country, so they can belong."

Shazia Noor

Behind the ready smile and sunny disposition is a difficult childhood which Shazia feels helps her to understand and empathise with the people who come to her for help.

Her father died when she was four, and the family lost close relations over a period of 18 months, which made her mother fall into deep depression.

"My life fell apart too," says Shazia, "as I lost my mum to mental illness. Part of my culture as a Muslim is to visit the sick and attend funerals; it is expected, but mum couldn't do it. There was such a lack of understanding of her health, which is not really acknowledged in our country, and the comments she got were unfair and unkind. Mum is humble, kind and sweet, but as a child I wanted to know why she was so different from my friends' mothers, and it was never explained to me. I wanted to understand."

However, Shazia's own life saver was at hand – her new stepfather with his positive approach to life.

"He was an amazing man," she says. "He opened up a financial mortgage service and was successful, as he showed such respect to his clients. I get my positivity from him. Also, my sister was like a second mother to me, and although she struggled too through the difficulties we had in our childhood, and not finding out that she was dyslexic until later in life, she now runs her own successful beauty salon."

Shazia Noor

Shazia was bright at school and to humour her, her parents put her through college but she was, in her words, down in the dumps as she didn't know in which direction her life was going. Then she had what she calls an epiphany, when she listened to Shahda Khan, director of the Borderlands project at MIMA, and an ABC Lifetime Award winner, speaking at an awards night.

"I listened to her and all about her amazing work, and I thought to myself – she has done something with her life, and she helps so many people. I don't want to die and I've done nothing. She was such an inspiration to me. I wanted to be selfless like her. I don't want my education to be wasted, God gave me these talents and I am going to use them."

The desire to help others has brought happiness to Shazia's life, and through her work, she also feels she is healing herself, approaching each day with joy. Her religion is deeply important to her, and she believes it makes her a kinder person.

"I love my faith and the goodness in it," says Shazia. "Allah has given us a body, which is a gift, so we have to take care of it, and we have free will and choices to do this. I love Ramadan, as we just give and give to charity. Money comes and goes, but what you spend on others stays with you for life, and we have to be good role models for our kids."

Although her schedule is busy, Shazia still finds time to hold charity events. She hosted one for the British professional boxer, Amir Khan, who was raising money to build an orphanage in Gambia. The event raised £200,000 in pledges.

Not only that, she has set up a Teesside women's business group which has a membership of more than 200 women, and she holds bazaars where women showcase their work.

"I don't want people to suffer like I did," she says. "If anyone is suffering or struggling with mental health or other issues, please don't be lonely. Reach out to us, even if you just want to talk or have a cup of tea with us, and we will understand."

Nur Fitness is on Facebook, or call 07972 301543.