Bridging Communities: Voices from the Diverse Motherhood Research

Motherhood is shaped by culture, community, and lived experience. This blog spotlights one of five community researchers who played a vital role in the Diverse Motherhood for Work Inclusion project (OSC103), helping connect with ethnic minority mothers.

Supported by the Open Societal Challenges and embedded within the Centre for Voluntary Sector Leadership, the project embraces a community-driven approach—working alongside leaders of local communities to co-develop research that reflects the realities of diverse motherhoods. Through their insights, we explore how public and workplace policies can be shaped by the voices of those they impact the most.

Based on the research findings, a Return-to-work Toolkit for parents was created as part of the #Mumentum campaign. In partnership with Department for Work and Pensions, the toolkit is now available at more than 260 Jobcentre Plus locations. 

Image: The Diverse Motherhoods Project Team. From left to right: Francesca Calò, Fidèle Mutwarasibo, Halimeh Sharifat, Ayser Aljawad, Mei Cheng, Wenjin Dai, and Adam Cheyo - including Irene Muma, who is not pictured in the photo.

Q&A with Ayser Aljawad 

Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your background in relation to this research? 

Hi, I’m Ayser Al-Jawad, and I was one of five community researchers who took part in this inspiring project.  My role in the research was to reach out to mothers in my community and invite them to participate in the project through one-to-one interviews, focus group discussions, or both.  

What inspired you to get involved in this project?

As an immigrant and a working mother, I’ve experienced firsthand many of the challenges that young working mothers face. Returning to work after having a child is never easy—it’s a time full of emotional, physical, and practical hurdles. I remember what it felt like to try to juggle motherhood while still holding onto the professional identity I had before giving birth.

That personal experience is what inspired me to join this project. I deeply relate to the pressures so many women feel—to be a “good” mum while also trying to be just as capable and driven in their careers, no matter what field they’re in. I wanted to help make those voices heard and valued.

Can you tell us more about the community you studied?

I’m a member and co-founder of the Middle Eastern Cultural Group (MECG) based in the City of Milton Keynes, which we established back in 2009. Since then, it has grown into a vibrant and active community hub for individuals and families from across the Middle East.

Our main aim is to help people settle into their new lives in the UK, offering support as they navigate a different culture and way of life. We focus strongly on reducing isolation, creating a sense of belonging, and encouraging community connections through shared celebrations and social events.

A big part of our work centres around supporting women, especially those who aren’t currently working, by helping them find pathways back into employment, education, or training. We want to empower them to regain confidence and independence.

We also work closely with young people, helping them meet others from similar backgrounds, feel included, and develop a strong sense of identity. It's all about helping them grow into confident, connected young adults.

Do you think is there any surprising finding that challenged common assumptions?

Yes, absolutely. I spoke with women who didn’t have access to public recourse or financial support due to their immigration status. Some were still waiting for residency approvals, which meant they couldn’t access Universal Credit or other benefits, placing even more financial strain on their families. These hidden barriers—lack of access, rigid leave policies, and uneven support—opened my eyes to how the system often doesn’t reflect the real needs of modern families, especially those from immigrant backgrounds.

What was the most rewarding part of this experience?

The most rewarding part of this experience was the opportunity to truly connect with these incredible women and hear their stories firsthand. It was both humbling and enlightening to listen to their struggles, their strength, and their determination to do the very best for their children, while juggling careers, family responsibilities, and the daily demands of life.

What stood out to me was the emotional depth behind their words. Many of them are navigating what often feels like an impossible task: trying to meet the expectations of being both a devoted parent and a committed professional, in a system that offers very little flexibility or support.

Their honesty, resilience, and the trust they placed in me during these conversations left a lasting impact. It reminded me how important it is to create spaces where women’s voices can be heard, because behind every story was not just hardship, but also hope and a fierce commitment to building a better life for their families.

Based on your experience as a community researcher, what changes do you think need to happen to support ethnic minority mothers for work inclusion?

There is a clear and urgent need to improve inclusion and equity for ethnic minority mothers in the workplace—and it requires a collaborative, multi-agency effort. This is not a simple fix. It needs meaningful partnerships between academic institutions, local authorities, and the voluntary and community sectors to reach the families who are often overlooked or excluded from these conversations.

Too often, the voices of ethnic minority mothers go unheard—not because they have nothing to say, but because no one has asked the right questions or created the right spaces for them to speak. We need targeted outreach strategies to engage these communities and ensure they feel seen, respected, and supported.

At the same time, we must actively encourage and empower more people from ethnic minority backgrounds to get involved in shaping policy and practice. That means creating pathways for them to become researchers, advocates, and decision-makers—so they can speak not only for themselves but for others in similar situations.

Ultimately, it's about building a system where inclusion is not just a box to tick, but a lived reality—where every mother, regardless of background, has a fair chance to thrive both at home and in the workplace.

You can find out more on the Challenge page, or by emailing Wenjin.Dai@open.ac.uk.