I consider myself a multi-hyphenate. I like doing crazy things but the way I would present myself is as a cultural inclusion consultant. So it’s really about tapping into the culture and community and trying to get more diverse people behind the scenes and in front of the camera. Part of the culture of consultancies is to tell stories, curate events and make projects come to life that represent community and provide a story.

I’ve been in London since 2019. I’m originally from Yorkshire and I wasn’t really exposed to city life, so when I moved to London, obviously you’ve got this hustle and bustle to get used to. I was previously in North London, which is a lot quieter, but now I feel like I’m in the mix of the beautiful chaos that is London. East has so many cultural hubs, it always has stuff going on and there’s always something to attend in the area – like Roof East and  Riverside East – that just makes it so exciting. With Sadler’s Well East and V&A East set to open here and UAL London College of Fashion’s new eastern campus, the area’s creative spirit provides plenty of inspiration. I particularly love having London College of Fashion on our doorstep as I have worked with them previously and am constantly inspired by the imagination and innovation of the students. 

Being at Coppermaker Square means I’m somewhere I feel safe, can connect with friends, meet new people, and just feel creative. Being self-employed, you can get blocked on a regular basis, so the specific energy and buzz of the area helps. From the transport links to the food markets, nothing is too far. I just never get bored here and feel like this is where I’m meant to be.

I’ve made the environment work for me in that aspect. There’s always a creative energy throughout my apartment since I was able to customise it to my personal tastes and preferences; so it doesn’t feel like I’m trapped in an office setting, staring at a blank wall. But they do say you shouldn’t ever mix your work with your home, so I can always go down to the co-working space to create a healthy separation. Also my timings can get erratic, so I can treat it as an office to maintain a better schedule and balance. Plus, you get free coffee all day!

Being self-employed, there was a point where I used to really crave colleague interaction and that made me very robotic. Now, it doesn’t feel as lonely because you’re in an apartment complex where you constantly bump into people. There are also resident events, for example, I was recently part of a panel talk on ‘Main Character Energy’ where I spoke to residents about building and embracing confidence and how our differences can be a super power. There are also so many enriching events – such as pasta making classes, soap making, flower arranging and sound baths – where you can organically meet and connect with other residents.

At my last place, we weren’t even allowed to touch the walls and it was so plain and felt really empty. Whereas here, when we found out we could paint the walls and customise the interiors, my sister and I were sure we wanted to move in because you don’t really get that freedom in London. I’m part-Pakistani, so adding Urdu prints and a bit of texture and colour to my home was important to me. I’ve now got an art wall with various prints – many of which I sourced from East End Prints in Brick Lane nearby – which represent things that I believe in and value. I feel like when you can add your own personality into the space, that’s when you can make it a home. And it’s easy to do as well, since we have Westfield on our doorstep, with so many local shops providing unique elements you can source for your dream home.

Living at Coppermaker Square has had such a positive impact on my life. When I was living in North London, we didn’t really get people over often because it was further out. Now that we’re so well connected and far more accessible, we love having company. Previously I was constantly thinking about redecorating and making it more of a home, but here, there’s a real sense of pride in where we live. We also have a far bigger space now, and access to amenities like a BBQ on the terrace and a bookable private dining room, which makes hosting a dream.

There are also so many great facilities included here. I used to pay for separate gym memberships and co-working spaces, but now I’ve got it all in one. The value and convenience of having these on my doorstep is unmatched. I definitely have no plans to leave anytime soon!