'You never know who you'll inspire'

Luul Ibrahim’s community work is a product of generations of volunteering spirit in her family.

A Community Connector from day one, Luul and her organisation Somali Support Perth has now been able to receive the support to host a leadership series for the CALD community in partnership with the City of Canning.

But it is also informed by trauma.

In March 2019, 51 people were killed in two shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, Luul rushed there to be with her family.

She said it was that experience that made her realise the importance of connection among and between diverse community groups. She started Somali Support Perth to help support her own community and connect it to other organisations.

Now, she is taking it one step further having submitted an expression of interest to partner with the City of Canning to deliver a series of leadership workshops for CALD community leaders.

Her work is about sharing resources and helping people in her community find the support they need in times of trouble. But before she could do all of this, she needed to learn more herself.

‘I needed to connect, to network, and I volunteer with other organisations to get the knowledge,’ she says. ‘It’s also about building trust. That takes a lot of work. The community is tired and people don’t know where to start, or where to get help.’

Luul works phenomenally hard, but sees it as an extension of generations of community work in her family.

‘Volunteering is part of my blood,’ she says. ‘Mum and grandma were volunteers. I use that energy. There are people like me who don’t want to do it for themselves, but for others.’

Luul says it’s also about inspiring and setting an example for others.

‘It’s about change and inclusiveness as Somali, as Muslims, as Africans,’ she says. ‘Women like me can look up and see if you can do it, we can as well.’

Her advice to people who want to do community work is to go for it.

‘We all have different passions,’ she says. ‘Use that. You never know who you will inspire.

‘But be patient. We try to push but people aren’t ready. Let them come to you.’

If you’d like to find your community leadership style, get in touch with us at connect@canning.wa.gov.au and we’ll help you start the journey!