DCH partner with Yardley Library to offer their community services
From empowering women and helping older people embrace technology to offering free business advice and launching an innovative community discount card, Desire Community Hub is proving that community centres can be a powerful force for change.
Desire Community Hub (DCH) has been named Community Observer’s Best Community Centre 2026, recognising four years of community work, growing partnerships and an ambitious vision for supporting residents and local businesses.
Based on Runcorn Road in Birmingham, DCH has developed a wide range of services designed to help people learn new skills, improve their wellbeing, build confidence and access practical support. With its expansion into Digbeth and Walsall, a new partnership with Yardley Wood Library and an exciting collaboration with Capital Business Hub, the organisation is continuing to broaden its impact.
The award marks a significant milestone for a community organisation determined to go beyond traditional services and create opportunities for people of all backgrounds.
Four Years of Community Impact
Since opening on Runcorn Road, DCH has built a programme addressing a wide range of local needs. Its services include digital classes for older people, coffee mornings, sewing classes, free basic English lessons, B1 English classes, help preparing for Life in the UK tests, exercise sessions for older residents, women’s massage and wellness services, and assistance with form filling.
From helping older people navigate modern technology to supporting residents with English language skills and everyday paperwork, DCH aims to make essential support accessible in a welcoming environment.
Its approach combines practical assistance with opportunities for social connection, helping residents develop independence, confidence and a stronger sense of belonging.
Leadership and Dedication Behind the Success
The progress made by DCH has been supported by the commitment of its directors, Sajad Khaliq and Hasina Sheikh, and the tireless work of manager Hawa Dabhelia.
Director Sajad Khaliq said the award reflects the dedication of the whole team and the trust placed in DCH by local residents.
“We are extremely proud to receive this recognition, but we see it as an award for the entire community,” he said. “Every class, advice session, coffee morning and partnership has been shaped by the needs of local people. Our aim has always been to create a welcoming place where residents can gain skills, find support and feel that they belong.”
Sajad has also helped guide DCH’s long-term development, supporting new partnerships, encouraging innovation and ensuring that the organisation remains focused on practical solutions for residents. His leadership has helped DCH expand its services while maintaining strong links with the communities it serves.
Director Hasina Sheikh said DCH’s work is driven by inclusion and the belief that everyone should have access to opportunities.
“We want people to feel confident when they walk through our doors,” she said. “Whether someone needs help with technology, English, paperwork, business advice or simply wants to meet others, we want them to know that they will be listened to and treated with respect. The award encourages us to continue developing services that make a real difference.”
Hasina has played an important role in shaping DCH’s inclusive approach, particularly through its women’s empowerment, wellbeing and community engagement activities. She has helped create welcoming spaces where women and families can build confidence, share experiences and access support. Her commitment to listening to residents has also helped DCH respond to changing community needs.
Manager Hawa Dabhelia has played a particularly important role in the organisation’s development over the past few years. Through her hard work, organisation and close relationship with residents, she has helped coordinate activities, support volunteers, strengthen partnerships and ensure that services remain accessible and welcoming.
Hawa is known for being approachable, hardworking and deeply committed to the people DCH serves. She regularly goes above and beyond to welcome new visitors, check on older residents, encourage women to take part in activities and help community members feel comfortable when they are facing difficult circumstances.
Her positive attitude, patience and practical problem-solving skills have made her a trusted and respected presence at DCH. She is often the first person residents speak to when they need information, reassurance or help finding the right service
Hawa has worked consistently behind the scenes and on the front line, helping people with practical issues while also encouraging them to take part in classes, wellbeing activities and community events. Her patience, reliability and understanding of local needs have made her a trusted figure among residents.
She is also recognised for bringing people together, supporting volunteers, helping organise events and creating a friendly atmosphere where everyone feels welcome. Her ability to listen carefully and respond with kindness has helped many residents build confidence and become more involved in community life.
Speaking about her role, Hawa said: “The most rewarding part of my work is seeing people become more confident. Someone may arrive feeling nervous about using a computer, speaking English or joining a new group, but with encouragement they begin to believe in themselves. That change is what motivates me every day.”
She added: “The team has worked very hard over the past few years, and we are grateful to everyone who has supported DCH. Our volunteers, partners and community members all contribute to what we are building. We want to keep improving and make sure that no one feels left behind.”
Her work has included helping to develop programmes, welcoming new participants, supporting older residents, assisting women through empowerment activities and helping connect local people with wider opportunities. Her contribution has been central to DCH’s ability to grow while maintaining its personal and community-focused approac
Digbeth Expansion Brings Education, Digital Skills and Business Support
DCH’s Digbeth branch, which opened in 2025, represents an important step in the organisation’s growth, with a particular focus on education, digital skills and business advice.
The branch aims to help people develop their knowledge, strengthen their digital capabilities and access guidance to support their personal and professional ambitions.
A major development is DCH’s new partnership with Capital Business Hub, an organisation with more than 11 years of experience in business support.
Capital Business Hub specialises in business advice, business start-up and setup, marketing, branding, business events, design and print. Through the partnership, it will work with DCH to provide free business advice to new and existing businesses.
The collaboration aims to help aspiring entrepreneurs understand how to establish a business, while giving existing businesses opportunities to seek guidance on marketing, branding and growth.
For DCH, the partnership is a game changer, bringing specialist expertise into its community network and strengthening its commitment to supporting local enterprise.
By making business advice more accessible, the collaboration has the potential to help turn ideas into businesses and give existing entrepreneurs greater confidence to develop their ventures.
Yardley Wood Library Partnership Tackles Digital Exclusion
DCH has also partnered with Yardley Wood Library to deliver basic computer courses for older people who may struggle with modern technology.
The sessions aim to help participants develop digital confidence and learn essential computer skills in a supportive environment.
The partnership is also developing opportunities for practical assistance with forms, job searches and CV preparation, with further classes and community projects planned.
The initiative reflects DCH’s commitment to bringing learning and support into familiar community spaces, helping residents access opportunities that can improve their everyday lives.
Flourish Together Empowers Women Across Communities
Women’s empowerment remains central to DCH’s work through its Flourish Together programme.
The sessions give women opportunities to meet, participate in activities, discuss issues affecting them and seek guidance or support when needed. They also help build friendships, confidence and a sense of community.
DCH runs regular Flourish Together sessions at Runcorn Road, Heath Mount Primary School in Birmingham and has expanded its activities into Walsall, where women can also access confidence-building classes.
Alongside its wider wellbeing services, these programmes provide welcoming spaces where women can connect, share experiences and feel supported.
Community Saver Card: Helping Residents Save and Local Businesses Grow
Another distinctive initiative is DCH’s Community Saver Card, which aims to help residents access discounts while supporting independent businesses.
With household budgets under pressure, discounts on everyday purchases can offer a practical benefit to families. Through participating businesses, cardholders can access special offers across sectors such as food and drink, hair and beauty, retail, leisure and other services.
The initiative also gives local businesses opportunities to promote their services, attract customers and encourage repeat visits.
Community Observer reported on the Community Saver Card initiative in 2025, highlighting DCH’s partnership with the Community Saver platform and the promotional opportunities available to participating businesses.
The idea goes beyond saving money. By connecting residents with local traders, the scheme aims to encourage spending within local communities while helping independent businesses strengthen their customer base.
The vision is simple: help residents make their money go further while giving local businesses more opportunities to grow.
At a time when many households are looking for ways to manage living costs, the scheme offers a practical example of how community initiatives can deliver benefits beyond the walls of a community centre.
Why DCH Stands Out in 2026
What makes DCH distinctive is the breadth of its work and its determination to develop new ways of supporting the community.
From digital inclusion and English classes to women’s empowerment, business development and local savings, its services address different challenges while sharing one common goal: creating opportunities for people to move forward.
Its expanding partnerships with Yardley Wood Library and Capital Business Hub demonstrate how collaboration can bring additional expertise and support within reach of local residents and entrepreneurs.
Meanwhile, its presence across Runcorn Road, Digbeth and Walsall, alongside its Flourish Together sessions at Heath Mount Primary School, reflects its ambition to reach people in different community settings.
Winning Community Observer’s Best Community Centre 2026 award recognises four years of progress and an organisation continuing to look for new ways to make a difference.
For Sajad Khaliq, Hasina Sheikh and Hawa Dabhelia, the recognition is not the end of the journey but a motivation to do more.
“We are proud of what has been achieved, but there is still much more to do,” said Sajad. “We want to continue listening to residents and responding to the issues that matter most to them.”
Hasina added: “Our community is diverse, talented and full of potential. With the right support, people can achieve remarkable things. DCH will continue working to create those opportunities.”
Hawa said the organisation’s future would remain focused on people. “We want every visitor to leave with something positive, whether that is a new skill, useful advice, a new connection or simply greater confidence,” she said.
As DCH develops its services and partnerships, its vision is to build a community network where people can access education, develop confidence, find practical support, explore business opportunities and connect with others.
For DCH, a community centre is more than a place to meet. It is a place to learn, grow, save money and build a better future.