Waseem Zaffar MBE - The Conveners Podcast

A really fascinating discussion today with Waseem Zafar, a councillor and politician from Birmingham who is a very passionate Aston Villa fan and formerly a board member of the Active well-being society that is famous for how they engage with the community and make things happen at a very local level - addressing health inequalities and supporting those in the community who need it most to get active. Waseem is also the founder of the Clean Air society and explains the term 'clean air apartheid' that I certainly wasn't aware of yet the concept clearly illustrates the need to change the way our systems work to favour those who hold power and influence and why we need to challenge the status quo if we are to make some real differences to people's lives. Waseem also holds an MBE for services to the voluntary sector as well as being a NED at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust for 8 years - so has a variety of lived experiences to draw upon for us to learn from.
Waseem was a delight to listen to - a very passionate politician born and raised in a part of Birmingham that has it's challenges and really needs the sort of support that Waseem offers. This support includes addressing health inequalities underpinned by a very strong sense of purpose. Purpose combined with passion and a strong desire to make a difference makes things happen. Our sector is beginning to talk a lot about system change and addressing health inequalities in order to do so we really should take time to learn from others who have been doing it for some time. A really insightful discussion that even made me think about being a politician myself - he is that inspirational! Please enjoy this one.