Maryam Qaiser

In 1964 Smethwick was the scene of the most racist election in British history. Tory MP Peter Griffiths was elected on the slogan "If you want a n***** for a neighbour, vote Labour."
Last year, 60 yrs on Labour's Gurinder Singh Josan became the first person of colour to be elected MP for Smethwick.

'Reform is creating hatred again after racist election was held where I live' As Nigel Farage takes to the stage in Birmingham, we visit a town 10 miles away where multicultural Britain is thriving – but voters fear a return to the past

EXCLUSIVE: 'Reform is creating hatred again after racist election was held where I live'
We visit a town 10 miles away where multicultural Britain is thriving – but voters fear a return to the past.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

An all-out strike action by bin collectors began on 11 March in #Birmingham, after @unitetheunion.bsky.social members claimed workers would face losing up to £8,000.
Adrian is now working a second job in a pub to make ends meet.

He was a bin man for 23 years, then his son died and pay was cut by £500 a month Bin worker Adrian Hyde sadly lost his son to sepsis last year. Just five weeks later Adrian opened a shocking letter from his employer Birmingham City Council.

This week I spoke to Adrian Hyde. He sadly lost his young son to sepsis before being told he’ll be downgraded and have a £6k pay cut in his job as a bin worker in Birmingham.
Adrian says: “It could put me and my family out on the street”.
In today’s @mirror.co.uk
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

Bin workers have been on full-strike action since March. Adrian told @journomaryamq.bsky.social “I broke down in tears with my gaffer saying I couldn’t make a decision. I couldn't even think straight, my mind was not in any fit state."
@unitetheunion.bsky.social @roswynnejones.bsky.social

He was a bin man for 23 years, then his son died and pay was cut by £500 a month Bin worker Adrian Hyde sadly lost his son to sepsis last year. Just five weeks later Adrian opened a shocking letter from his employer Birmingham City Council.

After just five week's of losing his son to sepsis, bin worker Adrian Hyde opened a letter from employer Birmingham City Council saying he'd lose £6k from his wages.
"It could put me and my family out on the street." #REALBRITIAN
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

'Police asked if mum knew I was dating a black man' - racism suffered by couples Terri and Simon say they were treated differently because of their interracial marriage

I first met Coleen and Sonny in 2019, when she launched the amazing Colour of Love project telling the stories of interracial marriages in the 80s.
Read some of the brave stories here.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...

Daughter Coleen told me it was down to lack of internal communication at Nottingham City Hospital, social services & #NHS Continuing Healthcare. She says Sonny, who has dementia, deteriorated. He is one of 30,000 who experienced delayed discharge. Now the Gov promises to fix it!

'My dad went in for a simple op - and was still in hospital 46 days later' Stanford 'Sonny' Francis was admitted for an emergency pacemaker - and was still in hospital 6 weeks later. This Windrush hero is one of 30,000 patients who stay 21 days over their discharge-ready-dat...

A #windrush hero from #Nottingham who worked hard to build back Britain after the war, was rushed to hospital for an emergency pacemaker. Due to be discharged the following day, Stanford ‘Sonny’ Francis ended up being in hospital for six weeks!
www.mirror.co.uk/news/health/...

Daughter Coleen told @journomaryamq.bsky.social there was a lack of internal communication at Nottingham City Hospital & failures by social services: "The whole system is so bad.They just kept saying he needed to go into a care home, but dad was adamant he didn’t want to."
@roswynnejones.bsky.social

'My dad went in for a simple op - and was still in hospital 46 days later' Stanford 'Sonny' Francis was admitted for an emergency pacemaker - and was still in hospital 6 weeks later. This Windrush hero is one of 30,000 patients who stay 21 days over their discharge-ready-dat...

For #RealBritain we spoke to Stanford Francis who was admitted for an emergency pacemaker & was still in hospital 6 weeks later. The Windrush hero is one of 30,000 patients experiencing delayed discharge. Now the Gov promises to get back half a million beds. www.mirror.co.uk/news/health/...

The hospice is facing severe financial challenges - with a £100k NI bill.
Katie & Tom’s daughter Leia has mitochondrial disease & severe epilepsy. They told me, “Noah’s Ark supports my whole family. It is not a luxury, the hospice is a lifeline.” @mirror.co.uk

Parents worried over dreaded 8-words are saved from 'apocalyptic life' Simon and Helen’s daughter Ruby-Mae has severe complex needs. They say without Noah's Ark Children's Hospice, which faces rising costs, that life would be 'apocalyptic'.

For #RealBritain this week I spoke to Simon and Helen whose daughter Ruby-Mae has severe complex needs. They say without Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, which faces rising costs, that life would be 'apocalyptic'.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...

Child poverty currently affects around 4.5 million children – yet last week’s Spending Review saw no mention of lifting the two-child benefit cap or other measures that could dramatically shift the dial on child poverty.

Girl who skipped dinner so parents could eat - true reality of UK child poverty Growing up Georgia Sullivan would force down food she didn't like – in case there was no food at home. Now the 26-year-old and four other young people are calling on the government to end child povert...

For #RealBritain I spoke to a bunch of amazing young people who are calling on the Government to end child poverty, after experience austerity firsthand. They’ll head to Parliament tomorrow to hand deliver an open letter to @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social & Liz Kendall.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

I headed to meet @floodmary.bsky.social at one of her advice clinics. Her flood-mobile is kitted with props to demonstrate how people can protect their homes at cost-effective ways. Simple things like covering air bricks with aluminium tape stops water coming through.
In today’s @mirror.co.uk

Mum in horror sewage flood with 'hundreds of condoms' gives chilling warning When Mary Long-Dhonau's home was overwhelmed by sewage, rats and dried faeces, she vowed no-one else should go through the same hell

When @floodmary.bsky.social’s home was severely flooded by sewage in the great floods of 2000, her 3-year-old son had just been diagnosed with autism. It took 9 long months to repair. Since then she’s dedicated her life to helping others.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...

The charity’s parent project Himmah has received a “significant donation” by Prince Harry – 4 yrs after wife Meghan donated £10,000.
@roswynnejones.bsky.social @mirror.co.uk

'I was gobsmacked when Prince Harry reached out to me - it's incredible' Salaam-Shalom Kitchen turns 10 years old this week, at a time when divisions between the two communities are under immense strain from events in the Middle East

I visited Salaam Shalom Kitchen - a fantastic & inspiring project run by Muslims & Jews together in #Nottingham. It turns 10 years old this week, at a time when divisions between the two communities are under immense strain from events in the Middle East.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

Despite a national rise in antisemitism & Islamophobia linked to the war in Gaza & Oct 7 attacks, the project has kept going. "We couldn't shy away, because people felt so different about things. But we came together & we united on humanity. What we’re doing here is what counts"- co-chair Ferzana.

It began as a community meal for 30, now serves weekly dinner for over 100 people, 700 takeaway meals are handed out & 500 bags of groceries given monthly.
@journomaryamq.bsky.social visited the #Nottingham project, which was set up to bring their communities together, @roswynnejones.bsky.social

'My kitchen feeds Jews with Muslims - Prince Harry's support has surprised me' Salaam-Shalom Kitchen turns 10 years old this week, at a time when divisions between the two communities are under immense strain from events in the Middle East

#REALBRITAIN 'My kitchen feeds Jews with Muslims - Prince Harry's support has left me gobsmacked'
Salaam Shalom Kitchen turns 10 yrs old, at a time when divisions between the two communities are under immense strain from events in the Middle East @mirror.co.uk
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

Delighted the 2 newsletters run by our tiny @mirrortogether.bsky.social team (@journomaryamq.bsky.social @clairedonmedia.bsky.social & Hedi Mehrez), shortlisted for Publisher Newsletter Awards.

Sign up here!

Mirror Together tinyurl.com/4m3v8urp & Untold Stories: tinyurl.com/56hh8593

So much chat about how young people don't want to work... not enough about how zero hours & exploitative practices affect young people, young women most of all.

Me + @journomaryamq.bsky.social worked with @youngwomenstrust.bsky.social to uncover some grim tales.

mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...

#EidMubarak2025 and just like that #Ramadan is over in a blink of an eye. Have a joyful Eid to all celebrating! ⭐️🌙

Magpies fans from different communities across Nottingham shared an iftar meal at Notts County – as a a tannoy usually used for celebrating goals played the call to prayer.

#HopeNotHate

'I won't eat for three days so my kids can - food banks have saved me' The Notts County ­Foundation and charity Muslim Hands have been offering free Iftar hot meals to those in need this Ramadan, and it has been a lifeline to many

For this week's #RealBritain, @journomaryamq.bsky.social
went to break her Ramadan fast at an iftar with a difference – at Notts County FC.
Part of a Muslim Hands initiative feeding struggling people across all Nottingham's communities every day of the year.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...

We also headed to the Open Kitchen Nottingham run by Muslim Hands UK. They feed 130 people daily, 365 days a year! The service is a lifeline to many in the city. This Ramadan they are also hosting weekly Iftars for all.
In today's @mirror.co.uk @roswynnejones.bsky.social & @journomaryamq.bsky.social

'I won't eat for three days so my kids can - food banks have saved me' The Notts County ­Foundation and charity Muslim Hands have been offering free Iftar hot meals to those in need this Ramadan, and it has been a lifeline to many

This Ramadan our reporter @journomaryamq.bsky.social
headed to the Notts County ground for a special Iftar hosted by Muslim Hands UK & Notts County Foundation to bring "all four corners of Nottingham together".
www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...

Former finance specialist David has a benign bone cancer & has bipolar disorder, anxiety & depression. "I’ve had to miss meals, so my son eats. This winter I went over a month without heating – you could see vapour when I talked. I only put the heating on when my son comes."
In today's @mirror.co.uk