Uplift: A second home for Ayan and Abubakar

 “Naima, Trip” Two words that made Ayan’s heart skip a beat.

‍

For years, her son Abubakar lived in silence. Ayan is ‘mummy’ to Abubakar, 28, and his four siblings. Abubakar has autism and complex learning disabilities. He did not speak until he was 15, when he said one word, ‘Nasreen,’ a friend’s name. Then nothing more.

‍

As a child, Abubakar loved nursery, school, and the local community centre. He loved music, colouring and dancing, and most of all he loved to travel. But when he turned 25, everything changed. The support stopped. Ayan says it felt like standing on a cliff edge with nothing left. Abubakar grew frustrated, and single mum Ayan felt alone and deeply sad.

‍

Then Ayan discovered Uplift in Birmingham, a busy Warm Welcome Space supporting over 400 guests every week. It’s an inclusive multicultural space, and many of the guests are migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. From the moment they arrived, Uplift welcomed Ayan and Abubakar with open arms. “No one is too old here,” they told her. “This is your space now.”

‍

Uplift is one of more than 6,000 Warm Welcome Spaces supported by the Warm Welcome Campaign, helping ensure everyone has access to free, safe, and inclusive spaces. They are lifelines for anyone feeling lonely, run on a shoestring, and powered by volunteers like Yasmin and Naima.

‍

It’s like a second home for Ayan and Abubakar. And it’s a reminder that Warm Welcome spaces are not just about temperature.  They’re about warmth of another kind—that of community and connection.  

‍

Last year, after a beach trip to Torquay organised by Uplift, Abubakar spoke aloud for the first time in 13 years. “Naima, Trip.” Ayan was shaking with excitement. She phoned Naima straight away. “You will not believe it, Abubakar is talking!” She said, “I put my head and my heart together and thought… There is hope.”
‍

‍

Uplift is filled with love and laughter, a place where everyone calls you sister, brother or aunty. Abubakar’s face lights up when he sees Naima. He calls her ‘Habarya,’ aunty in Somali.

‍

In late September Naima arranged a trip to Blackpool especially for Abubakar, as she knew he loves to travel. That night, Ayan counted, Abubakar said ‘Naima, Trip Tomorrow’ 28 times!

‍

Now Abubakar is speaking more every day. Something deep inside him has been unlocked.

‍

Like every Warm Welcome Space, Uplift is a place filled with love and laughter, offering both physical and human warmth. The difference spaces like Uplift make is quite remarkable and life-changing for Ayan and Abubakar.

‍

‍

‍