NEWS & BLOG

My life in Iran was never simple. I come from a beautiful green city near the sea, I had everything – a loving family, a successful business, and dreams for the future. I was a fitness trainer who owned my own gym – a space where women could feel free and strong.

But freedom in Iran is complicated. As a woman, every aspect of my life was controlled. At the beach, we couldn’t simply swim or sunbathe. Instead, we had to enter special enclosed areas, separated from our families. My gym had to be underground, without windows, just so women could exercise without being seen by men.

After the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, something shifted. Women were protesting, removing their hijabs, demanding basic rights. I shared a story on my private Instagram about women’s experiences, and suddenly, my entire world collapsed.

The morality police began calling me constantly. They threatened to close my gym. They interrogated me multiple times, suggesting I was a threat to Islamic values. They even threatened me with imprisonment or worse – being labelled a ‘morad’ could mean execution.

When they finally closed down my gym, I lost everything. My business, my income, my sense of security. My son was traumatised. My father died during this time, adding to our grief. The pressure was unbearable.

We had no choice. My husband, my son, and I left everything behind. We came to London just before Christmas in 2022, claiming asylum and hoping for a chance at a new life.

The beginning was brutal. We were separated, living in different temporary accommodations. My husband and I were struggling. But then I found West London Welcome, and seriously everything changed for me.

I’ve had so much support to rebuild my life – there’s a foodbank, a godsend as we have no way to cook where we are living. My WLW caseworker Lesley was my brilliant helper, giving me advice which saved me. WLW got me training to become a barista, so now I work two days a week in a café. And I really love attending the WLW bookclub.

Of course I still love fitness, and teach a weekly gym class for WLW members at the centre. It’s really fun.

My main challenges now are finding permanent housing and a permanent job. WLW English Language Coordinator Nicci referred me to a job as an administrator in a college, and fingers crossed they will offer me a fulltime position soon.