Meet The Team

Chair and Director

Neomi Alam

Neomi is a Chair and Director at Inclusive Exeter where she is jointly responsible for overall strategic direction and governance with fellow Board Members. Her background in community work has enabled her to work closely with the diverse groups participating in projects and activities spearheaded by Inclusive Exeter.

In addition to her role as a Director, Neomi also works within a small but effective team that oversees Inclusive Exeter’s Drop-In Support Service and is responsible for the various activities within the project. She was also an active volunteer in the Coronavirus Hardship Relief Project (CHRP) involving the distribution of ambient food parcels and cupboard items to those going through a tough time as part of our COVID-19 response.

In terms of Neomi’s work outside of Inclusive Exeter, she is a faith and diversity speaker who works mainly in schools across Devon with over 20 years’ experience. Neomi also works closely with Exeter Mosque, where her work helps to break down the barriers of hatred and ignorance and promotes a greater understanding of diversity. Her work includes presentations and talks about faith, culture, heritage, and diversity across the UK. Neomi offers interactive activities with students and teachers to give them a meaningful and vibrant understanding of Islam.

Born in London and educated in Scotland, Neomi’s own experiences of being raised as a British Bangladeshi Muslim gives a rich insight into the complexities of identity and diversity. Amongst other work, she strives to raise awareness, within Devon schools and beyond, of the atrocities and global effects of colonialism.

Vice Chair and Director

Shahar Lashkor

Shahar is a Director at Inclusive Exeter where he is jointly responsible for overall strategic direction and governance with fellow Board Members. He brings substantial value to Inclusive Exeter in terms of a network of key contacts that can facilitate smooth organisational running such as accountants and tradespeople. Shahar is also trained in providing basic life support First Aid.

Shahar is also the Chair of Devon Bengali Association and is very active at  Exeter Mosque. Additionally, Shahar has been a Governor at St James School for over 10 years.

Shahar is generally passionate about charitable causes having hosted fundraising events at his restaurant on behalf of Dartmouth Caring and Families for Children (FFC).

In addition to his role as a Director, Shahar coordinated refurbishment works when Inclusive Exeter was responsible for Exwick Community Centre. He has extensive experience in the catering industry having owned restaurant businesses and worked as a chef, making him perfect for this especially as we refitted the kitchen at Exwick Community Centre to commercial standards. Previously, Shahar coordinated the second phase of our Coronavirus Hardship Relief Project (CHRP) involving the distribution of ambient food parcels and cupboard items to those going through a tough time due to the pandemic. He was also integral to the first phase of the project during Spring/Summer 2020, as one of the chefs for our frozen ready meals, donating a freezer and delivering to some people on the frontline. Shahar’s experience in the catering industry made him a good fit for this. He has even won a competition in the Houses of Parliament for a 3-course meal, representing the South West.

As a drama enthusiast, Shahar portrayed the character of Prince of Morocco in the Shakespeare play Merchant of Venice with the Inns Theatre Company.

Director and Treasurer

Muktar Ahmed

Muktar is a Director at Inclusive Exeter where he is jointly responsible for overall strategic direction and governance with fellow Board Members. In addition to work undertaken collectively by the Board of Directors, as Treasurer Muktar is additionally involved in Inclusive Exeter’s financial book-keeping, payroll and pensions arrangements. Muktar’s role also involves some IT as well as aspects of procurement and website development.

Having worked in, and studied, Business and Management Muktar has ‘all-round’ proficiency in a broad range of areas, equipping him well to advise and be involved in a range of things for Inclusive Exeter. This includes data and IT systems, finance, procurement, website development, payroll and pensions, marketing, social media, research, building facilities, and consultancy. He is an experienced office/admin professional, having worked in such roles for over ten years. Muktar currently works in lettings and property management in the private sector. He is also trained in providing Emergency First Aid at Work.

Muktar was previously a Director at North Devon Sunrise, where he co-designed and co-delivered a range of projects like the drop-in and information centre, the North Devon Diversity Festival and other community events. Muktar also revamped the website, provided IT support and led on multimedia. In addition, he oversaw all dealings with Companies House including accounts and confirmation statement submissions, as well as Director appointments and terminations – something he also does for Inclusive Exeter.

In his spare time, Muktar enjoys a range of things including keeping his home immaculate, some DIY and road tripping with music. He also enjoys watching movies and TV shows, and is a huge fan of the Amazon/Freevee spy thriller series Alex Rider, as well as Netflix shows Riverdale and Stranger Things.

Director

Alan Quick

Alan is a Director at Inclusive Exeter where he is jointly responsible for overall strategic direction and governance with fellow Board Members. He acts as press and publicity co-ordinator for Inclusive Exeter and was also actively involved in the Coronavirus Hardship Relief Project (CHRP). He is also the editor (and sports editor) of Mid Devon weekly newspaper, the Crediton Courier and, in addition, is a DJ on the LGBTQ+ scene in Exeter and Torquay.

Alan is an equalities and diversity campaigner and he was recognised by Intercom Lynx South West in 2006 for his work in opposing homophobia in the South West of England. Formerly Alan promoted the South West’s biggest gay club night, Boxes on Tuesday, in Exeter, which was valued in the community and supported a number of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) charities and organisations. One of those who attended Boxes on Tuesday was the first £1 million black footballer, Justin Fashanu, who was also the first and, to date, only UK professional footballer to come out as gay. Justin suffered both racism and homophobia and tragically took his own life in 1998. Alan has been actively campaigning against racism and homophobia since the death of his late friend. He is involved in campaigns against inequalities in football, most recently with Football v Homophobia. He is a member of Exeter City Football Club’s One Game One Community group, Stonewall, Kick It Out and is a member of Devon FA’s Inclusion Advisory Group.

Alan was the inspiration behind the establishment of Exeter Pride, which he did with Intercom, the LGBT support network in the South West of England, assisted by a few other volunteers. It has become one of the South West’s biggest and free annual LGBT Pride events. The 2019 Exeter Pride saw more than 10,000 people attend. Alan was chairman of Exeter Pride for three years and continues as an active trustee with the organising committee.

In other areas, he is also a trustee of the community council for Devon, Devon Communities Together and the Dartmoor Folk Festival. Formerly he was a member of Devon Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs and for five years Alan worked part-time for Devon County Council supporting Devon YFC and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme in Devon. For many years Alan was the secretary of Exeter and District Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. He is a member of Coldridge Village Hall committee and is a parochial church council member at St Matthew’s Church, Coldridge. Alan is also a member of the Christmas in Crediton committee, which organises Crediton’s annual festivities and lights.

In April 2017 Alan received a runner-up Outstanding Contribution to Sport award in the Exeter Express and Echo newspaper 2017 Sports Awards for his campaigns against inequalities in football. In February 2018 Alan was honoured to be named as a Melvin Jones Fellow for his “dedication to humanitarian service to the highest degree” by Lions Club International Foundation. In February 2018 Alan launched Proud Grecians, the Exeter City Football Club LGBT+ and allies Supporters group and he continues in the role of co-ordinator.

In November 2018 Alan organised the first hugely successful Crediton Diversity Festival, following some racist incidents and hate crimes in the area and the second such Festival, which was also a huge success, took place on 15 June 2019.

On 13 May 2019, Alan was presented with a Commendation Award from the Lord Mayor of Exeter for his services to charity, anti-racism, inclusion and diversity.

Alan was one of a small group of people who pushed Devon County Council to adopt Saint Boniface of Crediton as Patron Saint of Devon, which was approved by Devon County Council on 30 May 2019.

In September 2019 Alan was among 124 people shortlisted from 28,000 people nationally in the 2019 National Diversity Awards. Alan was in the final eight in the Positive Role Model LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans) category. Alan was the second prizewinner in the FvH Hero category at the first National Football v Homophobia Awards for services to the FvH campaign in February 2020. Alan was one of the Awards Judges in the 2020 Exeter Living Awards judging Exeter’s finest companies. In December 2020 Alan was presented with a “Bringer of Joy” Award from the Bishop of Exeter as recognition of his work for the community, especially for his decades of service to journalism and in organising Crediton’s Diversity Festival.

Vice Chair and Director

Kate Hannan

Kate has been involved with Inclusive Exeter from the beginning, helping to bring together the communities which formed the original project and being one of the first CIC Directors. She is involved with all of our projects.

Kate line manages Inclusive Exeter’s Better Connections Project. She assists our Drop-In Support Service and helped co-ordinate our Live & Move Inclusive Communities Physical Activities Project.

Kate was a founder member of Refugee Support Group Devon, now known as Refugee Support Devon, and co-ordinated English classes for asylum seekers and refugees for a number of years.

She has been the BAME Officer for Exeter Labour Party and in this role made links with many ethnically diverse communities and  organisations in the city. She is currently a trustee of the Devon Faith and Belief Forum and the Contact for the Exeter Inter Faith and Belief Group. She is involved with Inclusive Muslims Exeter, promoting female leadership and welcoming all. She has given talks in schools highlighting the diversity amongst Muslims.

Director

Arlene Lewis

Arlene is a Director at Inclusive Exeter where she is jointly responsible for overall strategic direction and governance with fellow Board Members. She is also our safeguarding officer.

Arlene’s career background enables her to be well-equipped in representing the wants, needs, challenges and views from communities. She has extensive experience of supporting people in complex, vulnerable and risky circumstances. Arlene has worked in social work for a number of years going back to her time in the Philippines, supporting people in difficult circumstances including victims of abuse, building rapport with patients and other stakeholders in providing the best support.

When Arlene arrived in the UK, she started working with Devon County Council for Children and Young People Services for children and young people who were involved in juvenile justice and welfare cases. As a key worker Arlene’s role involves working closely with young people to ensure they were provided support, care and safety whilst in the secure environment detained for restorative justice and welfare protection. Arlene strikes up quick rapport with young people to help them feel safe in challenging environments. She assists them with their health and psychological needs and accompanies them to court hearings, providing them with emotional and psychological support during stressful and unsure times. Arlene coordinates with other professionals to ensure young people understand court decisions and that all of their questions and insecurities are answered as best as possible.

Working with Devon County Council, Arlene has strong understanding of a range of regulatory provisions including the Children’s Act 1989, Every Child Matters, National Minimum Standard – Children’s Home Regulation, and other Framework policies in Protecting and Safeguarding Children and Young People in the UK.

Her current role is as a Mental Health Practitioner based at NHS Trust Langdon Hospital, Dawlish working with a range of specialist mental health professionals. Arlene supports male patients who suffer from a variety of mental health conditions, including paranoid schizophrenia, drug induced psychosis and personality disorders. Arlene has worked in mental health since 2011 where she was working with individuals with drug and alcohol addictions that often were associated with mental illness. She is a member of the Social Work England and British Association of Social Work.

Arlene is passionate about organising community charity events for the Philippines Community Foundation, helping in funding poor children build up their level of life through sustaining education, medical, psychological, economic services through international outreach community service. She is also a member of the Filipino Exeter Choir in the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

In the past Arlene was an active member of the International Go! Fly! Away Wheelchair organisation in Japan, helping change lives for people who have physical disabilities. She was also a Tagalog translator for Multilingua Devon previously.

Director

Fasihullah Hakimi

Fasihullah Hakimi is from Afghanistan and moved to the UK in 2001. Since then, he has lived in many places across England. But Exeter has a special place in his heart and has become his favourite place . As the former owner of Mesopotamia, a well-known supermarket in Exeter, Fasihullah contributed to the local business landscape.

Since he was a child, Fasihullah has had a deep love for sports, especially volleyball. He played volleyball a lot while he was in Afghanistan. As he got used to living in Exeter, he got involved in community projects, such as being a member of the Steering Committee for the Inclusive Exeter’s LIVE & MOVE Inclusive Communities Project. In this role, Fasihullah organised regular volleyball games at the Riverside Leisure Centre, which brought people together from diverse communities. He was also in charge of park walks put together by Inclusive Exeter, which helped the community get involved and improve health.

Fasihullah is dedicated to more than just sports and community work. He actively participates in the Cricket Sessions, organized by inclusive Exeter in Partnership with Devon Cricket Association. He also takes on leading roles in the community, as Vice Chairman of the prestigious St. David’s Association, where he continues to make important contributions to community projects.

In addition to all of his other commitments, Fasihullah works full-time as a taxi driver in Exeter, where he drives with care and attention. His many contributions make Exeter’s society stronger and more welcoming, showing a spirit of service and openness.

Director

Joy Okumbor

Joy, a Nigerian British nurse with over 15 years of experience, has dedicated her career to providing compassionate care to patients throughout Devon. Her journey in nursing has equipped her with a wealth of clinical knowledge and expertise, cultivated through her interactions with patients across diverse healthcare settings.

Driven by a profound commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and their families, Joy believes in the pivotal role nurses play within the healthcare system. With a focus on advocacy, evidence-based practice, and leadership, she strives to promote positive change within her teams and communities.

Recognizing Devon’s evolving demographics, Joy is passionate about fostering inclusivity within healthcare environments. She advocates for a healthcare system that respects and values the cultural diversity of both patients and staff, irrespective of race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.

Beyond her nursing career, Joy is deeply engaged in serving her community. As the treasurer of the Exeter Branch of the Overseas Fellowship of Nigeria Christian and Friends, she contributes to charitable projects worldwide, including initiatives such as supporting survivors of Boko Haram kidnappings and raising awareness about sickle cell thalassaemia.

Joy’s involvement in the Redeemed Christian Church of God Glory of God Parish in Exeter spans over a decade, where she has played various roles, including welfare officer and contributing to the church’s growth and community engagement efforts.

In 2021, Joy became actively involved in the Nigerian community in Exeter, serving as the Social Secretary for the Nigeria Community in Exeter (NCIE). She also spearheaded the Better Connections project, aimed at fostering support and camaraderie among Nigerians in the area.

Further demonstrating her commitment to community development, Joy became a director of the Wonford Community Centre in May 2023. Alongside her fellow directors, she works tirelessly to ensure the center remains self-sufficient and continues to serve as a vital hub for the local community.

Recently joining the board of directors for Inclusive Exeter, Joy is eager to contribute her expertise and learn from her colleagues. She looks forward to being a valuable asset to the team as they work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable community for all.

Project Coordinator

Mahsin Mahbub

Mahsin joins Inclusive Exeter as an Organisational Development Administrator in 2022. Her role is to support the Organisational Development Coordinator in various tasks such as implementing and upgrading the current IT infrastructure, consequently strengthening the management systems.

She has also taken up the role of Coordinator for the Live & Move Inclusive Communities Physical Activities Project since September ’22. She is responsible for supervising all the physical activities under this project. She aids the physical activities’ facilitators with various tasks and oversees the project publicity and finances.

Since joining Inclusive Exeter, Mahsin has been assisting in the Drop-In Support Service sessions. She takes immense pride in her ethnic background and feels fortunate for the opportunity to support Exeter’s grassroots ethnically diverse communities through her roles at Inclusive Exeter.

Mahsin comes from a strong multidisciplinary academic background. She possesses BA (Hons) and Masters (First Class) degree in Economics from University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Since moving to the UK in 2009 she has worked in various sectors and organisations including the NHS. In order to embrace her creative side, she has completed a ‘Foundation Diploma in Art and Design’ with Distinction followed by another bachelor’s degree (First class) in ‘Interior Architecture’ from University of Westminster, London. She worked in an architectural firm in Exeter until April 2019. When COVID hit the economy, she found her passion to work for the community and started to get involved in various local events.

When she is not glued to the computer, Mahsin enjoys designing, crafting, painting, cooking and making unique cakes for her friends and families.

Email: mahsin.mahbub@inclusiveexeter.org.uk

Drop-In Support Service Coordinator

Neomi Alam

Neomi is the coordinator for the Drop-In Support Service and oversees the running of the service with a small but dedicated team of community workers. This is an essential support system offered to people from diverse heritage backgrounds and ethnic communities, completely free of charge.

The team at Inclusive Exeter help people to access mainstream services and overcome issues ranging from housing to helping with accessing information. We offer a form-filling service for various applications and help people with registering and enquiring about utility companies and a range of other amenities.

We offer a face-to-face service 3 times a week:

• Tuesdays, 9.30 a.m to 12.30 p.m (Venue: Wonford Community & Learning Centre, Burnthouse Lane, Exeter, EX2 6NF)
• Wednesday and Thursday 9.30 a.m to 12.30 p.m (Venue: Mint Methodist Church Centre, Fore Street, Exeter, EX4 3AT)
• Booking appointments in advance is highly recommended due to high demand

We support people with the following services:

• Housing applications – social housing with Devon Home Choice
• Assistance with registering with letting agents for private renting
• Universal Credit applications
• State pension/child benefit applications
• PIP/Carers Allowance applications
• Utility companies enquiries – registering and understanding bills
• Bus pass applications
• Blue Badge applications
• Opening bank accounts
• Passport/BRP/citizenship applications
• Food Bank referrals
• Assisting with council tax issues
• Driving license applications

This is not an exhaustive list and people are encouraged to ask for a full range of the services we offer. Neomi can be contacted in the following ways:

Work number: 07360813133

Email: neomi.alam@inclusiveexeter.org.uk

Better Connections-Project Administrator

Mathew Jose Mangatt

Mathew Jose Mangatt, currently serving as the Project Administrator for the Better Connections Project at Inclusive Exeter, brings a wealth of diverse experiences and a steadfast commitment to fostering community engagement. Hailing from Kerala, India, Mathew embarked on a journey that led him through entrepreneurship and the financial sector before pursuing further education.

Graduating from the MSc in Accounting and Finance program at the University of Exeter in December 2023, Mathew honed his skills and knowledge in financial practices. Leveraging this expertise, he transitioned to his current role, where he plays a pivotal part in facilitating meaningful connections within the community.

Before joining Inclusive Exeter, Mathew founded Lolly Poppiez, an online business specializing in children’s wear, where he showcased his products on prominent platforms like Amazon. Subsequently, as Finance and Operations Manager at Delta Nidhi Limited, a public limited bank, Mathew’s contributions were instrumental in driving growth and operational efficiency.

Now, at Inclusive Exeter, Mathew channels his entrepreneurial spirit and financial acumen into his role as Project Administrator. With a focus on the Better Connections Project, he works tirelessly to cultivate inclusivity and collaboration within the community, embodying the organization’s mission of positive change and community engagement.

Email : mathew.jose@inclusiveexeter.org.uk

Sophie Parker-Rees

Sophie works for Inclusive Exeter on Tuesdays and Thursdays as a Drop-In Support Service Caseworker. Originally from Exmouth, she feels a strong connection with the local area and its increasingly diverse communities.

After spending her first 19 years in Devon, Sophie travelled to the US to attend Princeton University, where she earned a degree in English with a focus on cinema. She met her now-husband during this time, and several years later he moved to the UK so they could live together. This gave Sophie a close insight into the complexities of the immigration system, and she is keen to use her experience to help people navigate this difficult and stressful process.

Sophie has previously worked as a sports writer, a teaching assistant, and as a writing consultant for international students. She now splits her time between Inclusive Exeter and Exeter Foodbank, where she works as an administrator. Sophie also volunteers regularly for St Thomas Food Fight, serving hot food and drinks from a table in Cowick Street. She loves to visit Exmouth beach and her local cinema, and she is a passionate supporter of AC Milan.