Four decades and counting – how a group of Bangladeshi women became the heart and soul of their community

When Syeda Khatun and her friends set up the Tipton Bangladeshi Women’s Association in their front rooms back in 1985, they had no idea they would go on to become a lifeline for thousands of local people through good times and bad. 

Over the last four decades the association has become a cornerstone of the local community providing practical help for people from all ethnic backgrounds on everything from health and fitness to legal issues and job support. 

The BWA, as it is known locally, was set up to meet the social and economic needs of disadvantaged young families and became a strong campaigner for community cohesion, while fighting poverty and loneliness. 

It now helps more than 2,500 children and adults each year and has increased the income of local families by millions of pounds thanks to support programmes such as skills and language courses that help long term unemployed women and others back into work.  

To mark the BWA’s 40^th anniversary Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, and Cllr Kerrie Carmichael, Leader of Sandwell Council, visited the BWA’s headquarters at the Tipton Muslim Community Centre in Wellington Road to personally thank volunteers and staff. 

From left: BWA volunteer Noor Bahar, Coun Vicki Smith, Sandwell Counci's Cabinet Member for Housing, Coun Kerrie Carmichael, Leader of Sandwell Council, Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, Syeda Khatun MBE, CEO Bangladeshi Women’s Association and BWA staff member Khansa Javed

Syeda, who is now the BWA’s chief executive officer and a Sandwell Council cabinet member after building on her community campaigning by becoming a local councillor, said: “I don’t think any of us back then thought we would still be going strong all these years later.  

“In those days nearly all Asian community groups were run by men, so we were definitely different. But I’d like to think that being an all women group helped us connect with local people and build trust. 

“And here we still are, not just helping Bangladeshi families but also improving the lives of men, women and children from all backgrounds, helping them meet life’s challenges but also enjoy life. We’ve built a safe, warm and happy place that has helped break down myths and misunderstandings between cultures. People come here and realise we are all just the same underneath. 

“I would certainly encourage others to get involved in their community like we did back then. Go volunteer and support those in need. It can be very rewarding and 40 years on we are very happy about what we’ve been able to achieve together.” 

The BWA, a registered charity, has grown to such an extent that it now has a second base at the Jubilee Park Community Centre in Powis Avenue and its own allotments where families learn to grow their own food.  

At the heart of its success has been the work of dozens of selfless volunteers, backed by funding from supporters including Sandwell Council, the National Lottery and BBC Children in Need. 

According to a report this year by The End Child Poverty Coalition just under 40% of children in Tipton and Wednesbury are living in poverty after housing costs are taken into consideration. 

To help support underprivileged families the BWA runs adult learning courses, youth clubs, children’s play groups, day trips, fun days, fetes, English lessons, Zumba classes and a fully equipped digital suite so local people without access to the internet can get online, learn computer skills for work and apply for jobs.  

The community centres are so popular that people from all backgrounds travel from as far away as Walsall to take part in activities and socialise. 

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “What an inspiration the BWA are. They’ve worked tirelessly for four decades, providing friendship, advocacy, and practical help, not just to members of the Bangladeshi community but to anyone in need of support in Tipton and further afield.  

“People like Syeda and her colleagues show the power of kindness to break down barriers and bring communities together. And we are all so much stronger for that. 

“I share their ambition to change lives by helping people into work, raising incomes, and growing our economy by building strong, supportive communities. My message to the BWA’s staff and volunteers is: keep up the tremendous work, and here’s to the next 40 years.” 

Cllr Kerry Carmichael, Leader of Sandwell Council, added: “The Bangladeshi Women’s Association has been at the heart of Tipton’s community for four decades and are a shining example of what can be achieved when people come together to make a difference.

“Their compassion, strength and commitment have changed thousands of lives and made Sandwell a fairer, more connected place for everyone.”

From left: Coun Vicki Smith - Sandwell Counci's Cabinet Member for Housing, Coun Kerrie Carmichael – Leader of Sandwell Council, Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and Syeda Khatun MBE, CEO Bangladeshi Women’s Association