Human of Tower Hamlets: Shema

“I’ve lived in Tower Hamlets all my life. I grew up in Brick Lane and Spitalfields, and my school was right next to an inner-city farm. My siblings and I loved visiting to see the animals.

Growing up, I didn't see many young women go to university; in Bangladeshi culture, the focus was mostly on marriage and starting a family.

But I've seen a change in my community over the years—going to university is now more encouraged. I’m proud to be part of that shift - university was a great experience.

My experiences living here have led me to my work at THCH. I started as a volunteer, and 10 years later, supporting programmes and activities at the community centres keeps me busy.

I enjoy walking to St. Katherine’s Dock these days, and I think the Elizabeth Line is one of the coolest things around! It gets me to Canary Wharf and Tottenham Court Road in just a few minutes. It’s so handy!”

Shema | THCH, Stepney, E1

Welcome to Humans of Tower Hamlets! We are proud to live, work, and play in one of London’s most diverse boroughs, where every person has a unique story to tell. In this new series, we’ll be sharing snippets from candid conversations with our residents, community members, and team, celebrating the vibrant stories, spirit, and people that bring Tower Hamlets to life.?If you’d like to chat and share your experiences as a Human of Tower Hamlets, we would love to hear from you! [email protected]????