Here are some thoughts from some of my previous clients about their experiences working with me.
I have attended a number of away days for several different services that have been facilitated by Rukiya. She has a flexible approach to ensure the day meets the collective expectations, allowing space for reflection as well as drilling down into more difficult team dynamics, enabling services to move forward with confidence into the next phase of their work. Her enthusiasm, professionalism and knowledge of facilitating through team-building activities as well as more focused spaces which generate outcomes and actions have resulted in enhanced team collaboration and injected fresh energy into our workplace. I am very much looking forward to the two upcoming away days that Rukiya is once again facilitating for us. (Nicky Wilson, Service Manager, Perinatal and Maternity Trauma & Loss Care Services, West London NHS Trust, September 2024)
“Rukiya creates a safe, professional environment where your emotional and mental wellbeing can be explored and examined without judgement. Her cultural sensitivity and awareness – particularly to how people of colour and women exist in and are particularly impacted by systems of oppression – have allowed for meaningful and affirming moments of reflection and personal development both as an individual and as an artist.”
“Rukiya provided me with an environment where I could safely access and share thoughts, emotions and actions which were important to me as an artist, company member and human. Her questions, advice and guidance have encouraged me to think more deeply. Feel stronger in the brown skin I have and speak up when once, I may not have.”
Rukiya has facilitated several away days for our Perinatal Mental Health Service with remarkable skill and impact. She expertly balances challenge with support, guiding our team through a journey of discovery that is engaging and thought provoking. Rukiya’s unique presence and confidence in her identity bring an authentic dynamic to her work. She does not shy away from difficult questions or uncomfortable issues; instead, she embraces them with courage and insight. This creates a safe and inclusive environment. Her facilitation has been instrumental in strengthening our team, enhancing our communication, and deepening our understanding of one another. I highly recommend Rukiya for any team-building day. (Dr Sarah Taha, Clinical Lead and Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist, West London NHS Trust, September 2024)
“What was helpful for me was personally Rukiya never made it about the job, it was always about me. Yes, I was doing a show that surprisingly brought up A LOT of feelings, however Rukiya allowed space for me to tap into that and separate my craft from the reality and start healing!”
“As Executive Director of the Young Vic, I have chosen to collaborate with Rukiya in a number of different ways during my time at the Young Vic and would not hesitate to recommend her to arts organisations working to create anti-racist work environments. We’ve engaged Rukiya’s services to support de-compression spaces for black and global majority staff working in predominately white environments, we’ve engaged her in supporting front of house staff (ushers and duty managers) during the programming of racially sensitive works on stage and we’ve invited her to have 1 to 1 staff sessions when specific issues have arisen (which are confidential to the individual being supported). We’ve also worked with her outside our anti-racism activity on supporting individuals during grievance processes, providing coaching to staff or thinking through ways to manage stress in workplaces. Her experience is deep, and her approach generous and contemporary” (Despina Tsatsas, previously Executive Director, Young Vic)
“Rukiya facilitated a challenging and complex staff session in a manner that promoted psychological safety, clarity and accountability, all with a side of humour. Despite feeling held within a structure for the day, we had flexibility to adapt as required. Rukiya’s candour and perspective is exactly what we needed and has led onto a path to strengthen relationships, improve morale and ultimately benefit people who use our services.” (Levi Sinden, East of England System Lead, Port of Midlands Partnership, NHS Foundation Trust)
“Rukiya has provided training both to our staff team in Origins, and the families we work with, on a number of occasions. Her approach is informative, open, interactive and engaging. She is notably skilled in challenging thought processes in a manner which allows for analytical and progressive thinking. The discussions harboured within her training sessions have provided real, tangible learning for our staff team and Foster Carers alike. Feedback from our Foster Carers is consistently positive, and as a staff team we always look forward to training with Rukiya.” (Claire Kelly – Senior Social Work Practitioner – Origins Foster Care)
