It takes a village: ZamZam Yusuf is transforming communities
From a childhood marked by upheaval to standing on stage at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, ZamZam Yusuf has lived a story of resilience, courage, and relentless hope. Today, as founder and CEO of , she is using that journey to build brighter futures for young people in Leicester and beyond.
Her mission is simple but powerful: to show that when a community comes together, anything is possible.
From struggles to strength
Life didn’t hand ZamZam Yusuf an easy start. Growing up, she faced the challenges of displacement, family separation, and the struggle of building a life in unfamiliar places. But instead of breaking her spirit, those struggles lit a fire.
In 2017, she took a leap of faith, enrolling at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ãºmv (ÃÛÌÒ´«Ãºmv) to study Youth and Community Development. What followed was life-changing: internships that deepened her passion for youth work, supportive mentors who encouraged her growth, and the extraordinary opportunity to speak at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, sharing her voice on the world stage.
Graduating in 2020, ZamZam left ÃÛÌÒ´«Ãºmv with not just a degree, but a renewed belief that education and community could change everything.
Founding a movement
In 2023, she founded ZamZam Unlimited Possibilities CIC. More than an organisation, it’s a movement dedicated to ensuring no young person feels unsupported.
The CIC (community interest company) works hand-in-hand with young people to design programmes that matter to them: from life-skills training in budgeting and interview preparation, to youth clubs and girls-only sports sessions that create safe, inspiring spaces.
“Our aim is to give every young person the chance to succeed, not just those who stand out as needing help.”
Building bridges across cultures
Leicester is one of the UK’s most diverse cities, but with diversity comes the challenge of cohesion. Through ZamZam Unlimited Possibilities, ZamZam is tackling that head-on, delivering cultural awareness training to the NHS, police, and colleges to help services better understand and support underrepresented communities.
The CIC also brings people together through the annual event, held during Black History Month. The event transforms Leicester's Haymarket Shopping Centre into a hub of music, food, and conversation—breaking down barriers and celebrating what communities share.
“It’s about breaking down barriers. We want communities to realise how much more unites us than divides us.”
Recognition and research
ZamZam’s leadership has already been recognised on a national stage. She was awarded a memorial award to conduct cross-comparative research into youth work practices in Leicester and Gothenburg, Sweden, learning from international best practice in youth and mental health support. And in 2025, her work has gained further spotlight: she is shortlisted for the in the category Outstanding Woman with Community Impact, with winners to be announced in October 2025.
The village concept: A vision for the future
At the core of ZamZam Unlimited Possibilities is an old African proverb: “It takes a village to raise a child.”
“We need to return to that village concept—where young people know that even if their parents can’t provide certain things, the wider community will stand by them. That’s the model we’re building in Leicester, and one we believe can inspire change globally.”
The next step is bold: to scale the model internationally, creating blueprints for “modern villages” worldwide, where young people feel safe, guided, and limitless in their possibilities.
About ZamZam Unlimited Possibilities CIC
ZamZam Unlimited Possibilities CIC is a Leicester-based, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to youth empowerment, cultural cohesion, and community development. Founded in 2023 by ZamZam Yusuf, it reinvests all resources into co-created programmes that equip young people with life skills, create inclusive spaces, and build bridges between cultures.
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Posted on Wednesday 27 August 2025