A woman who transformed her life by converting to Islam now bridges gaps between communities while raising funds for a children's hospital.
Amirah Scarisbrick, who grew up in Toxteth, "discovered a sense of community" and felt less isolated after converting. Although she was initially "apprehensive" about wearing headscarf, and experienced some anti-Muslim prejudice, she's found Merseyside to be largely accepting. When her son wanted to try fasting for the first time last Ramadan, his school was supportive, but Amirah heard of a pupil at another school whose experience was the opposite.
Kids from Toxteth often struggle to get into good, local schools that have limited places or prioritise members of the Catholic Church or Church of England. This means leaving one of the city's most diverse areas for schools where they are a visible minority in environments that may be less understanding of their cultural background.
