From West End Girls to Blue Scrubs
Four Young Women on the Conveyor belt of One Extraordinary Legacy.
When the West End Girls (WEGs) programme was established by One Voice Blackburn, its aim was simple: to give young women the confidence, opportunities and aspirations to achieve their potential. Few could have imagined that, years later, four of its members would be pursuing careers in medicine.
Today, Dr. Ayah Albani has graduated from Keele University and is working as an NHS Foundation Year One doctor, while Aliyah Bangi, Safiyya Hanslod and Azin Ismael are all beginning their second year at medical school. Every one of them attended schools in Blackburn. Every one of them has overcome different challenges. Every one of them has a remarkable story to tell.
This is more than a celebration of academic success. It is a story of empowerment, ambition, community and the power of believing in young people. It is the story of four remarkable women whose journeys began in the classrooms and communities of Blackburn and through One Voice Blackburn’s West End Girls programme. As they care for patients, or learn new skills and build careers in medicine, they are also becoming role models for the next generation. It’s showing young people across the town that with determination, support from groups like One Voice, extraordinary things really can happen.
Dr. Ayah Albani
“I Wanted to Change the Stigma”
From asylum seeker to NHS doctor: Dr. Ayah’s remarkable journey into medicine
Just a few weeks ago, Ayah Albani celebrated one of the proudest moments of her life. She graduated from Keele University with a medical degree. Today, she is working as a Foundation Year One (F1) doctor at Stoke Hospital, caring for patients and beginning the career she has dreamed about for years.
Her achievement is remarkable in its own right. But knowing where her journey began makes it even more inspiring.
Arriving in the UK as an asylum seeker with her parents and siblings, Ayah built a new life in Blackburn, overcoming barriers that many young people never have to face. Now, as the first qualified doctor from One Voice Blackburn’s West End Girls (WEGs) programme, she is helping to inspire a new generation of young women following in her footsteps.
Unlike many medical students, Ayah says she never seriously considered another career.
“I just couldn’t really see myself doing anything else. Healthcare was probably the only thing I was good at. I enjoy interacting with people, and I like helping people.”
It was the science behind medicine that fascinated her most.
“I love understanding how diseases work and seeing someone’s journey from being unwell to getting better. Being part of that journey is incredibly rewarding.”
Although she had already decided she wanted to become a doctor before joining One Voice Blackburn, she says the organisation played an important role in helping turn that ambition into reality.
“I don’t come from a family of doctors, so access to advice and opportunities was quite limited.
“One Voice connected me with doctors and GPs, gave me advice, shared resources and helped me with my personal statement and interviews. It really bridged that gap and helped solidify my decision to study medicine.”
Looking back, she believes the support went far beyond helping her secure a university place.
“One Voice taught me how to be organised, disciplined and work in a team. Those are skills you need every single day at university, both socially and academically.”
Public speaking became another unexpected advantage of being part of the girls groups – West End girls (WEGs).
“I had opportunities to present in front of large audiences, including hosting the One Voice Awards. University places a huge emphasis on presentations and communication, so when I had to stand up in front of my peers, it felt like second nature because I’d already done it.
“Without those opportunities, university would definitely have been much more difficult.”
Growing up in Blackburn also shaped her determination. While researching medicine, Ayah became aware that Blackburn was often identified as an area where relatively few young people progressed into higher education.
Rather than discouraging her, it strengthened her resolve.
“It didn’t make me less ambitious. It actually made me more ambitious because I wanted to change that stigma.”
The biggest challenge, she says, wasn’t ability, it was access.
“I didn’t know who to speak to or where to find advice. If I’d grown up somewhere like Manchester or London, those opportunities probably would have been easier to find.”
Again, she credits the people around her with helping remove those barriers.
“One Voice helped bridge that gap. The charity supports young people whether they want to go into medicine or becoming a graphic designer.”
Now, having graduated and started work as a junior doctor in the NHS, Dr. Ayah is seeing another dream become reality. Working at Stoke Hospital, she is finally putting five years of medical school into practice.
Although the transition from student to doctor has been a huge milestone, she knows her journey is only just beginning.
One achievement that gives her particular pride is seeing three more former members of West End Girls now studying medicine themselves.
“I’m very, very proud of them. Being women going into STEM from a community where not many people go into higher education is a huge achievement, and they should be so proud of themselves.”
She hopes the four of them can become role models for younger girls across Blackburn.
“If younger girls want to study medicine now, they’ve not just got one person to speak to, they’ve got four.”
For the former Witton Park student her ambition extends beyond medicine itself.
“We’re trying to expand that pool of doctors in Blackburn, especially women, and encourage more people to go into higher education.”
Despite now living and working in Stoke, Ayah still returns home to Blackburn regularly, where her family remain. Education continues to run through the family, with her younger sister now studying dentistry at the University of Liverpool.
Looking back on everything she has achieved, from arriving in Britain as an asylum seeker to qualifying as an NHS doctor, Ayah remains remarkably grounded.
When asked what advice she would give to young people thinking about medicine, her answer is simple.
“Don’t let other people influence your decision. Medicine is a difficult degree, so don’t do it because someone else wants you to or because of the money. Do it because it’s genuinely what you want to do.
“If it’s in your heart, then go for it.”
Ayah’s story is one of opportunity. It is a reminder that talent exists everywhere, but opportunity does not always arrive equally. Through hard work, perseverance and the support of those who believed in her, she has become the first qualified doctor to emerge from One Voice Blackburn’s West End Girls.
“Today I am caring for patients as an NHS doctor. Tomorrow, I hopes my story will inspire many more young people from Blackburn to believe that they can achieve the extraordinary too.”
Aliyah Bangi
“Medicine Combines Everything I Wanted”
Aliyah Bangi on completing her first year of medical school
A year ago, Aliyah Bangi was preparing to begin one of the most challenging university courses in the country. Twelve months later, having successfully completed her first year of medical school, she says the experience has confirmed that she chose the right career.
Interestingly, medicine wasn’t always the plan.
“To be honest, medicine wasn’t originally my idea. My mum was always encouraging me to become a doctor because I kept changing my mind about different careers.”
It was only when she began preparing for the UCAT admissions test that she started to look more closely at what a career in medicine could offer.
“When I started researching medicine properly, I realised it actually combines everything I’d been looking for in a career.”
What appealed to her wasn’t simply becoming a doctor, but the variety of opportunities the profession presents.
“People think medicine is just about becoming a doctor, but there’s so much more to it. You can teach, carry out research, work in healthcare, support communities and help people in so many different ways. It combines everything I wanted from a career.”
Looking back on her first year, Aliyah says the reality of medical school has been every bit as demanding as she expected.
“The biggest challenge has definitely been exam season,” says the Leeds University undergraduate.
“Everyone around you is incredibly focused and incredibly smart, so it’s very easy to compare yourself to other people and feel like you’re falling behind.”
Over time, she has realised that succeeding in medicine requires more than academic ability.
“Studying medicine is just as much a mental challenge as it is an academic one. Looking after your mindset is just as important as revising.”
The experience has also taught her valuable lessons about resilience.
“I’ve realised you can’t expect yourself to be perfect all the time. There will always be moments where things feel difficult, but you have to trust yourself and keep moving forward.”
One of the biggest surprises has been how quickly she’s grown in confidence.
“University pushes you outside your comfort zone every single day. You’re constantly meeting new people, working in different groups and learning new skills. Looking back now, I can see how much I’ve changed over the last year.”
While grades helped her secure a place at medical school, Aliyah believes success depends on much more than academic achievement.
“People often focus on the academic side of medicine, but communication skills and confidence are just as important.”
Before university, she developed many of those skills through volunteering and leadership opportunities, including with One Voice Blackburn’s West End Girls programme.
“I had opportunities to do public speaking, debating, develop leadership skills and meet lots of different people. Those experiences really helped me grow and prepared me for university in ways I didn’t realise at the time.”
Perhaps most importantly, those experiences gave her confidence in herself.
“When I was applying, I honestly didn’t have much belief that I’d get any offers.
“The people around me, especially at One Voice, kept telling me I could do it, and eventually I started believing it myself. Sometimes other people see your potential before you do.”
That confidence has stayed with her throughout her first year.
“When I arrived at university, I felt comfortable speaking to different people because I’d already had experiences working with professionals, volunteers and people from different backgrounds.”
Alongside the academic pressures, Aliyah has been determined to maintain a healthy balance.
“Medicine is all about balance. You can’t spend your whole life sacrificing everything for your studies.
“Looking after yourself actually makes you a better future doctor. If you’re constantly exhausted or overwhelmed, you can’t be at your best.”
For Aliyah, staying involved in volunteering has helped provide that balance.
“It’s nice to have something outside medicine that you’re passionate about. It reminds you there’s more to life than exams. Over the summer I have supported One Voice’s holiday programmes working with some of the most deprived young people in the town.”
As she prepares to begin her second year, she’s excited about continuing her journey and building on everything she’s learned so far.
“I feel so much more confident now than I did when I first started. Every year you’ll learn more about medicine, but you’ll also learn a lot about yourself.
“Every day confirms that medicine is where I’m meant to be.”
For young people hoping to follow a similar path, Aliyah has one piece of advice above all else.
“Keep going and don’t narrow your path. Even if things don’t go exactly how you planned, there are so many different ways to reach your goals.
“Don’t doubt yourself or your capability. You are smart, you deserve to be there, and you should keep working towards your goals.
“Completing my first year has strengthened my belief that medicine is about far more than science and textbooks. It’s about compassion, lifelong learning and believing in your own potential.”
Safiyya Hanslod
“Every Day Confirms I Chose the Right Career”
Smooth Ride so far for Safiyya Hanslod
When Safiyya Hanslod opened the email confirming she had secured a place to study Medicine at Keele University, she knew her life was about to change forever.
Less than a year later, having successfully completed her first year, the former St Wilfrid’s Academy student says the experience has been everything she hoped for, and more.
“Getting my offer on A-level results day is something I’ll never forget. My brother was waiting to hear about his university place as well, so we were both sitting there refreshing our emails. It was such a nerve-racking morning, but as soon as we both got our offers, it was just pure excitement.”
Safiyya, who has been part of One Voice Blackburn’s West End Girls (WEGs) programme since she was just 10 years old, admits the weeks before university were a mixture of excitement and anxiety.
“I don’t think I’d realised just how much there was to organise before moving out. There was so much shopping to do and so many things to remember. My mum and dad were amazing and helped me through all of it.”
Although packing took longer than expected, moving to Keele soon felt like the start of an exciting new chapter.
“I probably overpacked a little but I’d much rather have too much than forget something important! When I arrived and met my flatmates, I felt at home quite quickly.”
Unlike many students, homesickness wasn’t something that affected her.
“I actually loved living independently. I enjoyed having my own space and learning how to manage everything myself. It definitely helped me grow in confidence.”
Over the past year, Safiyya has also celebrated another important milestone away from her studies.
“I passed my driving test this year, which has been another big achievement for me. Having the freedom to drive has made such a difference, especially when travelling between home and university. It’s another step towards becoming more independent.”
Keele also proved to be the perfect fit. Safiyya loves being part of a large family, and an even larger extended family.
“It’s quite a peaceful university, which actually reminds me of Blackburn in some ways. At the same time, you’re meeting people from all over the country, so every day you’re learning about different backgrounds and experiences.”
She also encourages new students not to put pressure on themselves.
“Friendships don’t happen overnight. The people you meet in your first week might not be your closest friends by the end of the year, and that’s completely normal.”
Academically, Safiyya says studying medicine has been both fascinating and demanding.
“One of the biggest differences from A-levels is the amount of independent study. Nobody is chasing you to do the work. You have to be disciplined and organise your own time.”
The workload, she says, is exactly as challenging as people imagine.
“Medicine definitely isn’t an easy degree, but because you’re studying something you’re genuinely passionate about, it doesn’t feel like a chore. I love biology, so learning how the human body works has been incredibly interesting.”
What has surprised her most has been how quickly theory becomes real-life practice.
“We’ve already been learning clinical skills and practising communication with patients. The first time you do that it’s quite nerve-racking, but it’s also exciting because you start to feel like you’re becoming part of the profession.”
Outside the lecture theatre, university has also been about personal development.
“Living away from home teaches you so much more than just your degree. You become more independent, more organised and more confident in yourself.”
Those qualities, she believes, were already beginning to develop through One Voice Blackburn long before she submitted her university application.
As one of the longest-serving members of West End Girls, Safiyya has spent almost a decade taking part in projects, volunteering and building her confidence. She has also become a passionate advocate for children’s mental health, writing a series of books (Sam’s Diary) designed to help primary school children understand and talk about their emotions.
“One Voice has been a huge part of my journey. It gave me opportunities to build confidence, develop leadership skills and get involved in the community from a young age. In fact, when I got into university one of the first people I texted was the CEO of One Voice.”
Those experiences, she says, helped prepare her not only for medical school applications but for university life itself.
“Medicine isn’t just about academic ability. It’s about communication, empathy and working with people. Through One Voice I had opportunities to develop all of those skills.”
As she prepares to begin her second year this autumn, Safiyya is excited about what lies ahead.
“Every year we’ll spend more time in clinical placements, meeting patients and putting what we’ve learned into practice. That’s something I’m really looking forward to.”
Like many medical students, she is keeping an open mind about her future specialty.
“At the moment I’m just enjoying learning everything. Every subject has something fascinating about it, so I’m not ready to choose just yet.”
Looking back on everything she has achieved over the past year; Safiyya has one message for other young people thinking about applying for medicine.
“Don’t let self-doubt stop you. Medicine is challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Be willing to put yourself outside your comfort zone, work hard and believe in yourself.”
She smiles as she reflects on the past twelve months.
“It’s gone so much faster than I ever imagined. I’ve learned so much, not just academically but about myself as well. Passing my driving test, completing my first year of medicine and becoming more independent have all been huge milestones. Every day confirms that I chose the right career, and I honestly can’t wait to see what the next few years will bring.”
Azin Ismael
“I Want to Come Back and Give Something Back”
Azin Ismael on Independence and Following Her Dreams
At 19 years old, Azin Ismael is starting her second year studying medicine at the University of Birmingham. Having progressed through One Voice Blackburn’s West End Girls (WEGs) programme, she is now pursuing one of the most demanding degrees in higher education and loving every minute of it.
Looking back on her journey, Azin admits that applying for medicine wasn’t straightforward.
“No one in my family had gone to university in the UK and no one had studied medicine before, so I really didn’t know where to start. I wasn’t sure what I needed to do or how the application process worked.”
With support from professionals, widening participation programmes and plenty of determination, she secured a place at the University of Birmingham.
“Once I got there, it was amazing. We go on placements quite regularly, so you actually get to see what it’s like to practise medicine rather than just learning everything from books. That’s been one of the best parts.”
University has also brought opportunities beyond the lecture theatre.
“I’ve met so many amazing people. This year I’m living with some of the friends I’ve made, which I’m really looking forward to.
“At first it was difficult. Learning to cook, doing my own washing, looking after myself. All of those little things suddenly become your responsibility. But after a while you get used to it, and it’s made me much more independent.”
Birmingham itself has also left a lasting impression.
“It’s such a diverse city. You meet people from so many different backgrounds and walks of life. It really opens your eyes and broadens your perspective.”
“The biggest surprise was definitely how much work there is. I knew it would be hard, but I didn’t realise how big the jump from A-levels would be.”
“At medical school, you really can’t fall behind. You have to stay on top of everything because every lecture builds on the last one.
“There are always deadlines, coursework and revision happening at the same time, so I’ve had to become much better at organising myself.
“My flatmates have been brilliant. One evening we were all bored, so we ended up sitting in the kitchen doing henna on each other’s hands. It was such a simple thing, but it’s one of those memories I’ll always remember.”
Through One Voice Blackburn’s West End Girls programme, she developed confidence through presentations on diabetes, stem cells and organ donation.
“Everything I did through One Voice helped strengthen my personal statement because I had real experiences to talk about.”
“I helped coach a rugby team, which taught me teamwork, leadership and communication. Those are really important qualities for medicine.
“The people are just amazing. It’s somewhere I’ve always felt comfortable, and because it’s in Blackburn, where I grew up, it’s somewhere I naturally come back to.
“I’d love to stay involved with One Voice while I’m studying. It would be really nice to help with future projects and give something back.
“Honestly, I don’t know what specialty I’ll choose yet. It’s a little bit too early for that. Every placement makes me interested in something different. I get a real thrill of walking into a hospital.
“I’d really like to come back and work in Blackburn one day. It would be nice to work at Blackburn Hospital and give something back to the community that helped me get here.”
For young people considering medicine, Azin has one final message.
“Don’t underestimate the workload because it is a big step up. But don’t be too hard on yourself. Keep an open mind, meet new people, keep working hard and just keep going. It might seem difficult at first, but if you stick with it, you’ll surprise yourself with what you can achieve.”
